Harry G. Allard Jr's book Miss Nelson Is Missing was first published in 1977 and met with virtually universal critical acclaim for painting the picture of a venomous substitute teacher named Viola Swamp. The book, which was widely read by school children across the United States, has likewise garnered many devoted fans -- many of whom appreciate the good lessons about the value of being assertive, but kind and disciplined. One day, after growing tired of her classes' misbehavior, Miss Nelson decides to hire a substitute to show the classes how good they have it with her as their teacher. She spends a week away from her class and Ms. Swamp takes her place. Ms. Swamp, however, is everything that Miss Nelson is not. She is loud, rude, abrasive, and incredibly strict -- things the class can't stomach. After a while, the class begins to appreciate how good Miss Nelson was to them and tries to find a way to get them back.
The book received renewed interest in September 2025, when Netflix announced that they would adapt the longtime favorite into a movie starring Melissa McCarthy as Ms. Swamp and Miss Nelson. No release date has been set, though two sequels are planned if the first film is successful (based on the two novels that were released after Miss Nelson is Missing).
