The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck

Children's Audiobooks · Middle Grade

The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck

by Richard Peck

Narrated by Dylan Baker

4 hours and 42 minutesRuntime2004-12-26Release dateNarrated editionNarration
Children's AudiobooksMiddle GradeHistorical FictionComedy
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Richard Peck’s The Teacher’s Funeral is a historical novel set in rural Indiana in 1904. Fifteen-year-old Russell Culver expects to leave school behind, but his teacher’s death leads to his sister Tansy taking the job, keeping him in the classroom for another year. Schoolroom trouble, family life, local courtship, and the arrival of an automobile shape the story. The listed audiobook edition is narrated by Dylan Baker and runs 4 hours and 42 minutes.

Recommendation DNA i

Developing Profile
— Not scored

A developing recommendation pattern based on the strongest supported work- and listener-level signals.

Humor
High
Emotional impact
High
Historical setting
High
Character and thematic depth
Moderate
Courtship thread
Moderate
Narration quality
Moderate

The DNA score and trait strengths summarize supported recommendation evidence—not popularity or customer ratings.

Evidence Confidence

Why this matters →
Developing
  • Core identity and work-level evidence are supported.
  • Edition-matched observations are available.
  • Narrator-specific observations are available.

The title, author, listed narrator, runtime, core premise, and several work-level reactions are supported. The profile remains developing because the exact recording is not fully verified and the performance evidence is sparse, mixed, and partly drawn from individual observations.

Evidence Snapshot i

How to read these signals

Records are retained evidence items. Independent discussions are distinct reviews, forums, interviews, or conversations. Source networks are separate platforms or publication groups. Edition/narrator observations are tied to this recording or performer. Verified catalog sources support identity and edition details.

255Usable Evidence Records6 verified facts · 74 community observations
What this means

Retained records that passed basic identity and relevance checks. They do not all support every conclusion.

28Independent DiscussionsDistinct reviews, forums, interviews, and conversations
What this means

Distinct reviews, forums, interviews, or conversations counted separately to reduce duplication.

32Source NetworksIndependent platforms and publication groups
What this means

Separate platforms or publication groups represented in the evidence pool.

9Edition / Narrator ObservationsEvidence tied to this recording or performance
What this means

Observations tied to this recording or narrator rather than only to the printed work.

2Verified Catalog SourcesIdentity, edition, and publication support
What this means

Sources supporting identity, edition, runtime, release, or publication details.

July 30, 2026Last UpdatedThe saved public snapshot is refreshed after validation
What this means

The date when the saved public evidence snapshot was last regenerated and validated.

High record volume does not automatically mean strong narration or listener consensus. Each module uses only the evidence relevant to that subject.

What It Feels Like to Listen

How this works
These signals translate supported story, mood, and listener observations into practical listening characteristics. They are not customer ratings.
Comic tone
Dry and mischievous
What this means

The emotional and stylistic atmosphere suggested by supported descriptions and listener observations. Current signal: Dry and mischievous.

Why it appears: A combination of accepted work-level evidence and independent listener observations relevant to this trait.

Historical voice
Rural Midwestern, early-20th-century perspective
What this means

This describes a supported aspect of the listening experience. Current signal: Rural Midwestern, early-20th-century perspective.

Why it appears: A combination of accepted work-level evidence and independent listener observations relevant to this trait.

Emotional tone
Warm beneath the comedy
What this means

The emotional and stylistic atmosphere suggested by supported descriptions and listener observations. Current signal: Warm beneath the comedy.

Why it appears: A combination of accepted work-level evidence and independent listener observations relevant to this trait.

Performance reception
Mixed individual reactions
What this means

This describes a supported aspect of the listening experience. Current signal: Mixed individual reactions.

Why it appears: A combination of accepted work-level evidence and independent listener observations relevant to this trait.

Data basis: supported signals selected from the saved evidence profile; confidence varies by trait.

What People Are Saying

How themes are identified
Themes appear when independent discussions describe a similar listening experience. Counts reflect distinct discussions rather than repeated copies of the same source.
Humor3 discussions
Warmth and feeling2 discussions
Historical atmosphere2 discussions
Dylan Baker’s performance2 discussions

The usable work-level response is favorable toward the novel’s humor, historical atmosphere, and emotional payoff. The limited performance-specific response does not support a broad consensus about narration.

Data basis: themes drawn from 28 independent discussions across 32 source networks.

Narration in Practice

Why this may be limited
Narration conclusions require observations clearly tied to this narrator or audiobook edition. General reviews of the story do not count as performance evidence.
Listener receptionMixed individual response
Edition identityListed as narrated by Dylan Baker; exact recording verification remains incomplete
Production detailsNot established

Dylan Baker is listed as the narrator for this edition. Two individual comments offer mixed guidance: one praises his work, while another considers him acceptable but not a favorite. That is not enough to make a broad claim about the performance or production.

Narrator identityIdentifiedEdition-matched evidence9ConfidenceDeveloping

Data basis: 9 edition- or narrator-matched observations.

Is This Right for You?

You’ll probably enjoy this if…

  • Listeners who enjoy humorous historical fiction.
  • Readers interested in school, family, and small-community stories.
  • Listeners looking for a shorter audiobook with a period setting.
  • People who appreciate dry humor paired with warmth.

It might not be the best fit if…

  • Listeners who want contemporary dialogue and settings.
  • Those looking for action-heavy or suspense-driven plotting.
  • Listeners who need detailed information about narration style or production before choosing.

Best listening context

  • A relaxed listen over several sessions.
  • Shared listening followed by discussion of school, family, or historical change.
  • A family trip or quiet weekend, provided the period voice appeals.

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Where Listeners Agree

  • The book uses humor as a major part of its appeal.
  • The historical setting is integral rather than incidental.
  • The story has more feeling than a purely comic premise suggests.

Supported across 84 discussions.

Our Take

This looks like a warm historical comedy in which Russell’s resistance to school gives way to a broader view of his family and community. Its strongest documented features are its wit, its 1904 Indiana setting, and a conclusion described as moving. Try an audio sample if the narrator’s style is a deciding factor.

Developing recommendation profile →

Reasons to Press Play

  • The best-supported strengths are dry humor, a well-defined historical setting, and emotional warmth.
  • Russell’s school and family predicaments provide a character-led entry into the 1904 setting.
  • At 4 hours and 42 minutes, it is suited to a short trip or a few sessions.

Before You Listen

  • The historical voice may feel less immediate than contemporary middle-grade fiction.
  • The evidence supports the work more clearly than the exact audiobook performance.
  • Sample Dylan Baker’s narration if vocal style is important to your choice.
  • Detailed content and production notes are not available from reliable supplied evidence.

Edition Details

Runtime
4 hours and 42 minutes
Release date
2004-12-26

Why You Can Trust This Recommendation

  • Identity and edition signals are checked separately
  • Independent discussions and networks are counted distinctly
  • Narration claims require edition- or narrator-specific support
  • Unknown information is not displayed as a zero score

FAQ

Who narrates The Teacher’s Funeral?

The listed narrator is Dylan Baker. The available catalog data identifies him, though the exact recording is not fully verified across the supplied sources.

How long is the audiobook?

The listed runtime is 4 hours and 42 minutes.

What is the story about?

In rural Indiana in 1904, fifteen-year-old Russell Culver is kept in school after his teacher dies and his sister Tansy becomes the replacement. The plot includes schoolroom conflict, family life, local courtship, and the arrival of an automobile.

Is it funny?

Yes. Work-level reviews repeatedly describe dry wit, sharp comedy, and mischievous humor, while also noting a warmer emotional side.

Is Dylan Baker’s narration well reviewed?

The available performance-specific feedback is limited and mixed. One individual response praises him strongly, while another finds him acceptable but not a favorite. A sample is the safest guide.

Ready to experience The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck?

Continue to this audiobook’s current edition and availability.

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