What Happened to Mr. Forster?

By Gary W. Bargar

A sixth grader living in Kansas City in the 1950's learns to question the actions of those around him when one of his favorite teachers is accused of being a homosexual. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395310210
• ISBN13: 9780395310212
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Length: 169 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Long lost gem of a boy's coming of age story

I was thrilled to find this book available in the "used" section - such a shame it's no longer in print. I first discovered it in elementary school, over 16 years ago. I was lucky enough to have a librarian who trusted me to read the things "not on the shelf" (despite its controversial nature) to give her my kid-sized opinion. It was very much unlike me at the time to zip through a book so quickly, but this one was among the first to so motivate me. (It centers around a school boy and the year he spends getting to know and starting to care for his gay teacher - and his growing confusion over why his 1950's suburban town is in such an uproar over how Mr. Forster lives his personal life). I had no idea what the words "queer" or "homosexual" meant at the time, but the tone of them was unmistakable and saddening. I for one an thankful to Gary Bargar for sharing this story on a level a young kid could relate to (and to my librarian for not allowing "controversy" to shield me from a beautiful story). It was one of the major stepping stones that has led to a life lived with an open mind and an open heart. This book really means a lot to me, and I am so glad to finally have my own copy.

What Happened to Mr. Forster?

Discovered to be living in a gay relationship, Mr Forster, a sixth grade teacher, is pressured to resign by parents. Set in 1950s America, the story is told from the viewpoint of Louis, one of Forster's pupils, whose personality growth the teacher has helped.