Editor: Larry Smith
Publisher: Six-Word Memoirs

The tenth book in the Six-Word Memoir series tells the story of a world we never expected to be in and can’t stop talking about. Told through the lens of students, teachers and parents around the world, A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year offers hundreds of inspirational, playful and profound takes on life during the pandemic. For some, this book will be a window. For others, a mirror of their own experience. For all of us, A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year is a time capsule to be read, shared and discussed and is certain to prompt friends, family and neighbors to ask each other: "What's your six-word pandemic story?"

Ask students, teachers and parents to comment on the pandemic in six words, and you get clever lines like:

Finally I can mute my teacher.

Tired. This making history is exhausting.

Internet down: the new “snow day.”

I am working. I’m researching sleep.

For sale: prom dress, never worn.

Not enough sweatpants for this gig.

Sprinkled amongst this collection of thoughts (these new cousins of haiku) are short essays, mostly by teachers. That makes it a book for all ages, one that readers might find amusing/reflective/inspiring now (and will start them creating their own), and a poignant reminder of the ups and downs we’ve all experienced when we read it again years from now.

- Pam Withers