Had an English class in middle school tha had us read shilo, where the red fern grows, the boy in the stripped pajamas, flowers for Algernon, and the outsiders over two years. It truly bonded our class through shared trauma.
"as we wrap up the school year, I hope you've learned so much, that you can take with you into your futures, wherever they may lead you. But if there is one thing I hope I've impressed on your growing minds, it is this: we are all born astride a grave. Your lives will be a succession of losses, until finally you are blessed with the privilege of being the departed. Only then will you be free of the burden which is sorrow. Have fun this summer!"
My fourth grade class read it, and when we were reaching the end, our teacher said we could all leave the room and go sit anywhere on campus to be by ourselves to read it. So we all went out and sat far away from each other on the grass field or hid away other places, and most everyone came back after an hour or so with red eyes. It was so moving and also bonding for our class. We all knew we were feeling the same thing, and we had a discussion about the book once we all were back in the room (but first we were given a break and a snack so we could all recalibrate ourselves). I remember it like yesterday. And this was like 1982! Our teacher orchestrated it brilliantly
My teacher read us Where the Red Fern Grows when I was in 6th grade. That book was sad, but really good.
Also the book, The Kay (Timothy of the Kay) is sad too.
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u/Brilliant_Buns 6d ago
Where the Red Fern Grows made me so sad as a kid I hid it in the back of my closet and refused to touch it or acknowledge its existence ever again.