“As a teacher, when I was asked to review this screenplay, I was a little nervous, as the storyline is reflective on all people in that industry and the book is dedicated to all teachers and women who have a right to equal education.
“The opening of the book explains why the author felt compelled to write it and it puts in you straight in the right frame of mind to jump into the screenplay. She starts with a question on who is an angel – the students, the teachers, yourself? She invites you to join her on the adventure, and so I delved into the pages.
“First off, I noticed that this is not an overly complex screenplay, as it only has 13 characters. To me that was a relief as when I read a screenplay, it plays in my head and the more complex it is, the more I lose the plot… literally.
“The key character is President Maryam Omale – she is actually two characters – young and present day. Then there is the Odoma family, Maryam’s friends, teachers and relatives and even a television anchor called Karen.
“The directions of the play are very concise and clear, helping with the visualisation of each scene. And that start, with a threat of suicide, is incredibly impactful.
“The descriptions throughout are colourful and clear, the conversations draw you in, your mind’s eye can work over time and imagine the scene in the real world. It has an overriding flavour of Nigeria, of high morals and authentic dialogue in some parts. But then ‘older woman’ and ‘beauty’ don’t seem based as real people, but as representatives of all people who could be them, which I felt a bit disjointing.
“Despite it being a text heavy conversational screenplay, the publication is a relatively quick read, its dialogue and intent is transparent, and the classroom / school scenes are relatable.
“This would be an ideal book for students to act out in a drama lesson, probably at GCSE or A Level due to the complexity of some of the topics. It is definitely a book that all teachers should read at last once, firstly to learn lessons and secondly to appreciate our own impact!”
DR. KALTUME AKUBO, preferably called Peace, is an author of several international peer-reviewed journals and books. She is a writer and poet who authored ‘Perspective, Angels in Classrooms, Growth Through Life's Journey, No Time for Later and the Goal Setter Workbook’ for young adults and professionals.
She is also a STEM ambassador, a sustainable and renewable green energy S.M.E., a data analyst, a project management professional, and a business analyst. The founder of Gift for Love Charity Foundation, an N.G.O. committed to empowering the less privileged in the society, especially orphans, women, youths and positively impacting humanity.
She has a bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria; a master's degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland, UK; and a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Leeds, UK.
She is a recipient of several awards, including the 2010 President's NYSC Honours Award in Nigeria, and the Best State Youth Corp member Award, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. She is married and blessed with children.
Angels in Class Rooms is available on Amazon - you can visit www.giftforlovecharityfoundation.org for more on the N.G.O.