A powerful and moving debut novel about a school community in crisis.
The staff of St Margaret’s Primary School are hanging by a thread. There’s serious litigation pending, the school is due for registration, and a powerful parent named Janet Bellevue has a lot to say about everything. As teachers they’re trying to remain professional, as people they’re unravelling fast.
There’s Tyson, first year out of uni and nervous as hell, Derek the Assistant Principal who’s dropped the ball on administration, Bev from the office who’s confronting a serious diagnosis, and Sally-Ann who’s desperate for a child of her own.
Thank goodness for kids like Lionel Merrick. Lionel is the student who steals your heart and makes the whole teaching gig worthwhile: he’s cheerful, likeable, helpful – and devoted to his little sister Lacey. But Lionel has a secret of his own. As his future slides from vulnerable to dangerous, will someone from St Margaret’s realise before it’s too late?
As secrets threaten to be exposed and working demands increase, each staff member struggles to recall the things that matter most.
A moving and compelling novel about teachers and their students by the acclaimed author of the bestselling books Teacher and Dear Parents.
Buy a copy of The Things That Matter Most here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Gabbie Stroud’s The Things That Matter Most is a brilliant narrative around the consequences of a deeply flawed system. Although a work of fiction, the tale of educational pressure presented in this book and told through the eyes of various school staff, feels eerily familiar. As a “recovering” teacher myself, reading this book instantly transported me back to the pressures and stresses of everyday school life. I felt all of the tension I used to feel on a daily basis bubbling back up to the surface, hypervigilance bracing me for whatever was going to crop up that day (knowing full well, that most days something substantial did happen). Stroud also captures the dizzying complexity of small-town teaching; the simultaneous joys and trepidations of that teacher identity and the nature of the unrelenting performance. Remembering all of the Tysons, Sally-Anns and Dereks I was fortunate enough to know and be in the trenches with over the years. And especially remembering all of my Lionels, who remain forever in my heart. This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever dared to think that teachers have it easy, and for anyone who has been there before and deserves validation for their stoicism. Sarah, VIC, 5 Stars
Wow! So much like the real thing. Teachers having to deal with and cope with educating students and also being a social worker, psychologist, entertainer, paper pusher. And dealing with traumatic incidents. All the protagonists are real characters that exist in a school, from the teachers, the dragon office lady (who knows where “all the bodies are buried”), the students and the parents. Anne, NSW, 5 Stars
Stroud burst onto the scene a few years ago with her non-fiction title, Teacher, and now she’s taken advantage of her intimate knowledge of her former profession to write her debut fiction book, The Things That Matter Most. The book is told from the point of view of four main characters – three teachers and an admin officer working at a Catholic school in a small rural town. Stroud’s characterisation is on point. All the leads are likeable and will surely elicit empathy from the most hardened reader. Their chaotic professional lives and dramatic personal lives kept me turning the pages eagerly, hoping they would each find a happy resolution. Although it had me engrossed, Stroud kept her plot relatively simple. Between its simplicity, the well fleshed-out characters and Stroud’s expert knowledge of teaching, the book felt very realistic. I could so easily imagine everything unfolding in real life just as it did on the page. The only things I didn’t like were the title and cover. I’m not sure either completely shows off the book’s content which I’d describe as contemporary fiction that should appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty. Lee-ann, QLD, 5 Stars
A novel that offers an emotional exploration of school life, the teachers, and the young students. At St Margarets Primary School the teachers are juggling nurturing their students (and their own personal challenges) with the chaos of a school deep in registration, litigation and one parent’s attack on the staff and education system. In the midst of all this – what happens to the innocent children like Lionel Merrick and Lacey Merrick when school administration overshadows genuine care? What happens when the teachers are unable to focus on a heartbreaking dilemma happening right in front of them? Gabbie Stroud has written a powerful and deeply moving novel. The story’s emotional impact will last long after the final page is turned. I know it will stay with me for a very long time… Louise, WA, 5 Stars
The Things That Matter Most by Gabbie Stroud is a thought-provoking novel, as the name suggests, that will bring you to tears. The story is set in a primary school in a small town and revolves around overworked teachers, students and their parents. It highlights some topical issues in modern society and schools. This story is heart-wrenching, funny at times, and completely relatable. A great read. Gai, NSW, 5 Stars
This book resonated with me as I am a teacher. I have enjoyed Gabbie’s books and enjoyed her first nonfiction book immensely. Highly recommend to everyone. Shirley, VIC, 5 Stars
A beautiful heartbreaking book. I couldn’t put this down. It shows us the pressures and accountability caring professions, especially teachers, are under. As a social worker, this book resonated with me. We need to be allowed to concentrate more on caring and less on bureaucratic paperwork! Litsa, VIC, 5 Stars
I was looking forward to reading this powerful and moving debut novel following her previous non-fiction publications. The book immediately drew me into the well-paced and dramatic story. I found the rural setting of St Margaret’s Catholic Primary School in the divided rural town of Boltford realistic and relatable. The story is told through multiple POV. The characters are well-developed with multilayered rich personalities and their own sub-plots. I particularly enjoyed reading Tyson, the young graduate teacher and newcomer in town, full of enthusiasm in all the colours of the rainbow. As a parent myself, the heart-wrenching story made me laugh, cringe and cry. It also made me pause and question myself about what it means to educate in today’s world. Overall, this is a powerful and moving novel that combines storytelling and social commentary to provide a unique perspective on the education system and the people who work within it. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges faced by teachers, students, and parents in Australia. Julie, WA, 5 Stars
The best novel I have read all year. Heartwrenching and uplifting by turns this novel takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster – I laughed and I cried. The characters of the teachers are all so real and relatable in their different ways and I never looked at the role of a teacher in the way this book made me think about it. The difference between a novice teacher and one who has taught for 40 years is stark. The distinction made between social classes and pride in where you live is a focus, with different sides of the bridge providing the divide. The temperature differences in rural areas – ‘The Drop’ – is spoken of with pride in the natural environment and almost takes on a legendary status but it is this cold and harsh environment that contributes to the plot in this story. The themes also include an example of why we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover as some of the characters are not as they seem. The story is such an absolute tragedy but there is a punch thrown near the end of the story that made me want to cheer. Debra, NSW, 5 Stars
Gabbie Stroud is a teacher gone rouge who quit her profession and wrote a bestselling memoir Teacher, and then followed up with a creative non-fiction called Dear Parents. In this book, The Things That Matter Most, her debut fiction, she has taken all her knowledge and experience of teaching and moulded it into a realistic account of the day-to-day happenings in a school setting. She outlines the burden that education staff carry, the issues that they face from bureaucracy, administrational tasks, policies and parents without boundaries. Gabbie reminds us, through her words, that teachers are humans too, who have personal struggles, who are bound by policy and are helpless in some situations even though they want to help, and how in some situations the line between professional and caring too much can become blurred. This story had me sobbing. The shock twist was utterly heartbreaking and you can see how something so blindly obvious can be missed when people are to the point of being overworked, underpaid and despite their best efforts there just isn’t enough time in the day. So I recommend this book if you are a teacher so you realise that you are not alone in your thoughts and frustrations. I recommend this book if you are not a teacher so that you can show empathy that most teachers are really doing the best that they can. Gabbie Stroud has me intrigued enough that I will probably explore her memoir Teacher sometime in the future. The only other point I would like to say about this story is that I’d like a sequel! Ally, TAS, 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have to say I pretty much devoured it. It is beautifully written and draws you straight into the world of St Margarets. As someone who works in a school I could imagine it all. The characters are very relatable, and you will like most of them, love Lionel and Lacey, and not so much Janet. The Things That Matter Most is a reminder of what is important and will stay with me for some time. Tracey, WA, 5 Stars
Whilst this novel is fiction, it has important things to say about teaching, the education system and the children within it. Having multiple points of view can be difficult if the characters aren’t authentic but Gabby Stroud has done a brilliant job. This book made me chuckle and also bawl my eyes out and not many books have done this. Karlie, SA, 5 Stars
Absolutely loved this heartbreakingly honest insight into a small country town and the families just trying to do their best with the situations they find themselves in. These characters will live on in my heart for a long time to come. Deanne, VIC, 5 Stars
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a powerful story! St Margaret’s is a school on the verge of being in trouble and each person has their part to play in getting it back on track, while also dealing with the regular days of teaching. Then there’s Lionel, the sweet, caring kid who steals your heart but has a secret of his own. Reading through this story gives you an added appreciation for what our teachers endure, while highlighting the things that matter most. This is written so beautifully. I laughed out loud and could not stop crying in parts. This book has moved me so much, I’ll be looking up Gabbie’s other books! Sarah, QLD, 5 Stars
Gabbie Stroud is a teacher. It shows. She knows what she’s talking about in this powerful, heart-wrenching novel about a school community in crisis, and the overwhelming burdens thrust on today’s teachers, who are being pushed to breaking point by education systems and political systems that seem to be looking to pass the buck. I could not put it down. (There’s a night’s sleep I will never get back! So worth it!) Set in a Catholic primary school community in a NSW farming town, she captures the challenges faced by school staff as they suffer through the changing nature of teaching in today’s test-focused, document-driven, schooling system. I found this a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking story. Gabbie Stroud lifts the lid on social injustice and the unreasonable demands made on teachers, while society, administrators, the media and even parents abdicate themselves of any responsibility. But although it delves into the constant work pressure and emotional demands placed on teachers and school staff, it is also a of story of a rural community divided by class, of disadvantage and despair. Easily readable, the book is insightful, the plot compelling and the characters engaging. Highly recommended. Liesl, NSW, 5 Stars
A fabulous read. Any teacher who reads this book will identify with these teachers and the amount of stress they are under. I was a teacher for 40 years and understand how these characters felt. Gabbie, being a teacher herself, was able to do a fantastic job portraying the overwhelming demands put on teachers. Thank you, Gabbie. Well done. Judy, QLD, 5 Stars
This was an excellent book. The storyline was very powerful for all the characters and gave a great view into the lives and role that school teachers have in society today. I enjoyed it from start to finish and will look out for other books by that author. Sharon, NSW, 5 Stars
An amazing book that shows us a behind-the-scenes view of the issues that our schools and teachers face. These wonderful people go into teaching to help these little people find their way in life and end up spending more time doing paperwork and dealing with parents and their problems than they do doing the part of the job they trained for in the first place. Loved the many characters in this story from the newest of teachers to the most experienced, the admin staff and the children themselves. Well written and eye-opening. Angela, WA, 5 Stars
What a beautifully written, warm, tender, powerful and memorable read! I loved every character in this book who carried their own stories, quirks and emotions at a high standard. It gave me an insight into the world of teachers we often don’t see. I laughed, I cried and didn’t want the story to end. Evelyn, NSW, 5 Stars
As a teacher, like Gabbie Stroud, I have loved reading her non-fiction books Teacher and Dear Parents and I was so excited to receive a preview copy of her first fiction, The Things That Matter Most. Upon beginning the book, I immediately identified with the characters and their roles within St Margarets Primary School in the fictional town of Boltford, in central NSW. The setting within the school was so realistic and at times I felt anxious and could totally identify with the daily challenges that occur in a school and that these characters are facing – from curriculum pressure to difficult students and parents, as well as pressure from the education board itself. The range of characters, from a first-year out teacher to a strung-out deputy principal, a somewhat cantankerous office lady to a highly accomplished but struggling teacher, were all so relatable and are a realistic reflection of any school. I found I easily identified, liked and felt for all of them, and related to their own personal struggles. Despite the challenges that teachers face at schools on the daily, this book highlighted the important role that they play and how it is so important to always remember and focus on the things that matter most. Grab some tissues as you will need them, this is a superb book from an amazing writer. Phillippa, TAS, 5 Stars
Having read one of Gabbie Stroud’s other books I was really looking forward to reading this one. And she doesn’t disappoint! She nails each and every character perfectly. The story is very predictable but that doesn’t detract from how brilliant this piece of fiction is, because she has managed to represent our Australian community in every key person in this novel in a way that the reader can identify and empathise with the dilemmas explored in this novel. I know it’s politically correct to say I hope this book starts a ‘Conversation’ about the Australian education system but what I really hope is that this book will be one that starts a ‘Revolution!’ I have been called a pushy parent myself but I fully applaud this author who recognises that we shouldn’t be putting all the pressure on our teachers and education system. Our education system needs our families and communities to be more involved to get our kids through this time and not just through sitting around writing social media posts. A fantastic read and a book that opens the eyes to very current issues. Frances, NSW, 5 Stars
A beautiful story of a school community that is having a difficult time as the teachers haven’t got the time to do all of the teaching they need to as the paperwork has become so huge and they miss some of the students and their families having a difficult time. A beautifully written book where the community realise too late what is really important in life. I couldn’t put this book down as I needed to find out what changes were made. Sally, VIC, 5 Stars
Wow. Such a captivating book that hooked me in from the start to the finish. Never have I been so invested in such characters before and provoked huge emotion while reading. An author I have never read before but will definitely be on the lookout for her other novels. A moving story of a town like many in Australia who are living day by day and doing the best they can. Tracy, WA, 5 Stars
A heart-warming and devastating tale of the realities of the world getting caught up in big business. A solemn reminder to remember what matters most. Jacqui, NSW, 4 Stars
The title in itself captures the very essence of why one would love to read this very thought-provoking and deeply moving novel about the school life of teachers and their young charges. St Margaret’s Primary School teachers, while nurturing and instructing their students, are desperately preparing the school for registration, and a pending litigation. Adding to their troubles is a crucifying article written by parent, Janet Bellevue, questioning the ethics and standards of the teaching staff and the education system. However, what is to become of beautiful little souls like Lionel Merrick and Lacey Merrick, who capture your heart, when the teachers are having to focus on administration to keep the school afloat? Gabbie Stroud asks the very pertinent question we should all ask ourselves! Very touching story. Karen, NSW, 4 Stars
A well-balanced storyline that attempts to highlight the realities of teaching once the rose-tinted glasses come off. Mandy, VIC, 4 Stars
Great novel set in small country-town NSW primary school. The novel is written primarily from a teacher’s point of view and a young student whom every teacher loves. The novel highlights many challenges faced by school staff: bureaucracy of teaching, parent expectations, overstepping boundaries, caring too much or not caring enough, managing personal issues, and the usual issues of living in a small country town where everyone knows everyone’s business. The novel will appeal to teachers, parents and students alike. Krystine, VIC, 4 Stars
A must-read for everyone who has ever been involved with a school or any community-based group for that matter. This story is beautifully written and told from several different viewpoints. It looks at who is responsible for raising our children and it would make a great read for book clubs to discuss. Astrid, VIC, 4 Stars
It takes a village to raise a child – if you don’t understand that, this book is for you. It also highlights the challenges for schools, teachers and boundaries in their responsibilities and relationships. A strong and moving story that is often personal, and engages readers in a complex journey. Overall a good read that may not be enjoyable for all, but it is confronting and compelling. Geoff, WA, 4 Stars
Gabbie Stroud has written the things that matter most beautifully. The characters are engaging and relatable and brings to light that the education system whether that be in early education or later years really does take a big hit in what is expected of them. Gabbie was really able to pull at your heartstrings with this book. Rebecca, QLD, 4 Stars
Overall, this was a great book and tells the truth of how much teachers are expected to do outside of teaching students. Teachers are expected to not only teach students but there’s an expectation from parents to be carers for their children. Teachers are there to teach not raise the child. I would have liked to read more about the litigation, what it was about and the outcome. It was great to read each teacher’s perspective on their responsiblities and demands of the job and how it affects their everyday life. It’s also quite common to have parents ‘have a lot to say’ on how the school should be run and to pick on every tiny thing and cause a lot of trouble and distress for the staff and school community. It’s sad how many students fall through the cracks and have no support to enable them to grow and become successful adults. Most times the school is dealing with lots of influential parents and the job of teaching and helping students falls to the wayside. Renae, QLD, 4 Stars
What a lovely heartwarming book. Love it. Real, emotional, great read. Kate, QLD, 4 Stars
Great insight into the working life of a teacher and education system, and the intertwinement of their personal life. Also provided a perspective of different ways people manage their everyday life depending on personal circumstances, and provided a perspective of the workings of a smaller township and how this intertwinement impacts. Agree with the gap theory and at the end of the day, whatever engagement we have if we are part of a system we need to work with compassion and hopefully there will be more of a joining together rather than working in silos. Danielle, VIC, 4 Stars
If you or anyone you know works in the education system or if you have children at school then The Things That Matter Most is a must-read. My heart broke and I had tears in my eyes while reading this story. This novel is an easy read where the multiple narrators seem to flow seamlessly. The author has introduced the characters solidly in the beginning of the book so the reader has a strong sense of personalities and background stories. The novel tells its story through the voices of many narrators, each with their own unique take on the larger story. The only downfall of the novel, in my opinion, was the author being new to fiction and thinking that she had to tick every box for character diversity which was not necessary and took away from the main theme. The overarching story in the novel is reflective of the schooling system but also society in general… ‘We aren’t looking at the things that matter most’ are words for modern society to live by. Many thanks to Better Reading and Harper Collins for gifting me a copy of this wonderful book to review. Tara, NSW, 4 Stars
The Things That Matter Most was an emotional read for me. It highlighted the difficulties and challenges that teachers face in their everyday working life. It was an easy-to-read story but had a very powerful purpose. Susan, NSW, 4 Stars
Gabbie Stroud has previously written about her teaching career and this is her first fiction novel. I take my hat off to her and all our other teachers who face the education system on a daily basis, this book certainly made me rethink what they actually do! The staff of St Margaret’s Primary School are hanging by a thread. Our main characters include Tyson, who is a new graduate teacher and full of optimism but feels he may not be welcome in the community. Derek is the Assistant Principal who just wants to teach, he is still mourning the loss of his best friend and can’t seem to keep up with all his paperwork. Bev, who calls a spade a spade, is the glue that keeps the administration side of the school running and is handling a serious diagnosis and all the worry that comes with it. Finally, there is Sally-Ann, who is desperate for a child of her own and is reminded every day of her struggle to conceive. Lionel Merrick is cheerful, likeable, helpful to all staff and absolutely devoted to his little sister Lacey. But Lionel has his own struggles too; will any of his teachers notice before it’s too late? This book gives you characters and a community in rural Australia and I felt instantly drawn to them, as well as the side characters. It was moving and emotional, and we feel the pain of the characters as they are pulled away from what matters most and why they got into their profession, to focus on administration and test scores. It shows the challenges that today’s teachers face in the education system, and what can happen to those who slip through the cracks. Gemma, WA, 4 Stars
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