The Faculty Lounge

When retired Baldwin High teacher and current substitute Bob dies and is found in the faculty lounge, the staff seem to quickly return to normal. A week later, they honor his last request by scattering his ashes on the school grounds, setting off a wonky and entirely unpredictable chain of events. In the aftermath, the lives, careers, and interests of Baldwin’s many faculty, staff, and students are explored, and this sheds light on Bob’s connection to the school. The adult debut by high school teacher and YA author Mathieu (Moxie) is a tender and timely look at relationships, grief, friendship, and the myriad issues affecting teachers and schools. Narrator Lisa Flanagan showcases her vocal talents, skillfully portraying a range of characters, from the newest teacher to young students to the school custodian. The narration adds humor and heart to the story and ably differentiates the characters, each of whom contends with the death of a beloved teacher in their own way.