SYRUP PAILS AND GOPHER TAILS: MEMORIES OF THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL John C. Charyk. Saskatoon, Western Producer Prairie Books, c1983. 143pp, cloth, $19.95. ISBN 0-88833-115-0. Grades 9 and up. Reviewed by Elaine Atwood. Volume 12 Number 3 1984 May One-room rural schools began at the turn of the century and continued in use to the mid-1960s. Their greatest time was that of the twenties and thirties and these decades receive the most attention in this book. The author not only attended such a school, but taught in one as well, thus he brings a personal touch to most of the content of his book. In addition to his own experiences, he has interviewed countless other teachers, students and school officials throughout the Prairies and records their experiences as they were told to him. This personal style makes for very enjoyable reading. The first chapter is a detailed account of the author's first day at school that not only provides insight into rural schools from a student's viewpoint but offers insight into difficulties faced by immigrants to Canada. This particular chapter could provide a beginning point for discussions around facing new situations generally. Other sub-topics include transportation of the times, recreation, the state of medicine, economic conditions, as well as education. All chapters are enriched with many excellent photographs, each carefully accredited. There is an extensive bibliography as well as a detailed index with access by subject, school district name, name of current town or village, names of people. These make the book valuable from a local history point of view. However, it will likely be most useful simply for reading for enjoyment, evoking many memories for anyone who has ever experienced the one-room rural school. ElaineAtwood, St. Albert P. L., St. Albert, AB.