Kling A Hidden Hero

By Demetrius Antwoin Matthews

A middle-class white man who desires to give back through his career as a teacher finds himself in the Chicago Public Schools system, teaching underprivileged students at Douglass Middle School on the city's West Side. When US Education Secretary William Bennett dubs the city's schools the worst in the country, his comments make headlines, but one class defies all odds.

Demetrius is a student entering sixth grade at Douglass, facing the challenge of being labeled as a future statistic. His father, a well-known Chicago hustler, teaches his son everything he knows about the streets, while Mr. Kling teaches him book smarts and opens his mind to a world outside the city. As Demetrius tries to find balance, he realizes there's no way he can survive without a good education.

The teacher and student battle to find their places in the world. Anxiety builds, and both are pushed to their breaking points. Mr. Kling grapples with his wife's need for independence as she falls further into the communist movement, while Demetrius is caught up in the turbulent dynamic of growing up in a tough environment.

As they fight for their ways of life and defy the odds, together they achieve greatness, create lifelong bonds, and share a love that saves them.

The documentary "Kling - A Teacher That Defied the System" served as the catalyst for this story. This narrative delves deeper into the creation of "Kling" and explores why, after 35 years, Demetrius chose to focus on his former grade school teacher for an award-winning documentary. It also provides a deeper look into the invaluable years when Demetrius was a student in his class.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CC7KB6KY
• ISBN13: 9798852350398
• Release Date: July 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"