Good riddance, by Elinor Lipman

Daphne Martich’s mother, who has recently died, specifically left her copy of the 1963 high school yearbook of the school she long taught at to her older daughter.  As a young, new teacher, she was the yearbook adviser and this year’s copy was dedicated to her by her students.  Additionally, her mother over the years has attended all the reunions of this class, and seemingly has annotated the yearbook after each one – sometimes not too flatteringly.   Under the spell of “uncluttering,” Daphne throws the yearbook into the apartment building’s recycling bin.  There it is discovered by her neighbor, who styles herself a documentary filmmaker, and she decides this yearbook holds secrets that will make an interesting movie.  Daphne is, of course, alarmed.  What kind of light will this cast on her mother, and on the students of that class?  It isn’t only those students whose life will be exposed, but secrets from Daphne’s own family will be revealed.  288 pp.