Alexandra Gass
asked:
I am a high school resource teacher. Would this be an appropriate book for 9th/10th graders?
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The Things They Carried,
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Thomas Trevenen
The Things They Carried is appropriate for tenth grade students. You may have trouble with parents because many parents perceive their children as a year or two behind where the student actually is. Students in tenth grade are mere months away from being Marines if they choose and it is better for them to read about the world before they are thrust into it.
Thematically the novel is multi-layered and will interest all levels of readers. While it is an interesting exploration of the inner conflicts of going to war, it is also a complex exposition on the nature of fiction and how a story that never happened can present greater truth than a newspaper.
I found the novel transformational.
Thematically the novel is multi-layered and will interest all levels of readers. While it is an interesting exploration of the inner conflicts of going to war, it is also a complex exposition on the nature of fiction and how a story that never happened can present greater truth than a newspaper.
I found the novel transformational.
Paula
My son read this book for school his junior year. I am reading it because this book seemed to renew his interest in reading. He said it was "actually good" which is a pretty high compliment from him at the moment. ;-)
Forgetfulone
If you are comfortable with the topics of dope, sex, virginity, love, and war, yes. I believe it is more suited for the college level.
Jane Clark
Yes! I used the book with students who said they "hated" to read. Not only is it compelling (it's a dramatic characterization of the so-called life journey we all must take and resembles a pilgrimage), the narrator takes up issues of interest to all human beings, including: love, loss, trauma, loss of innocence, coming to terms with a wounded world, depression, the obligations of friendship and the importance of creating meaning out of lived experiences. A great book for young people (and big ones, too!)
Violet Shane
I read this in 9th grade on my own and I loved it
Brittney Byrd
I realize this question is two years old but... I've read this book three times. Once as a sophomore in high school, again as a junior in college, and again as an out of college in the real world adult. I think that it's more suited to college age, that the impact is lost at the high school age, before you've had classmates and friends go into the military and possibly go to war. But it's manageable at that age.
Alpheus Williams
Considering that 9th and 10th graders are only 2 to 3 years away from draft age, I think it more than appropriate. It rings with both humanity and verisimilitude...while people are dehumanised and diminished in may ways...it's what war does. I doubt that it would be more confronting than many of the film or computer games they watch and play at this age...but with added humanity and strong social comment. I would think it a terrific resource for discussion and awareness.
Meghan
I read this in high school and everyone in my class loved it. I think it's an excellent book for high school students - it is not too long but packed with interesting and important recurring themes and great for teaching the ropes of literary analysis. A lot of folks who didn't usually enjoy reading or reading for English class liked it! Personally I think that high schoolers can (and should!) handle more mature themes than they are typically given credit for.
Katie Brandl
I teach in 9th grade and have for years. I do give a disclaimer that the intent of the adult material is not for humor, so if they aren't mature enough to act like adults reading it, I will find another book. I've never had complaints after that. I think it's great for boys that age who are reluctant readers.
Liz Peral
I read this my junior year in high school. I loved this book so much that I kept it.
Hannah Beegle
I was assigned to read this book in the summer in between my junior and senior year. I personally think it would be fine for 10th graders. Ninth grade I'd be iffy about.
Katelyn
I would say no; I had to read it in my 10th-grade English class and didn't appreciate the low reading level, mature content, atrocious language, and disjointed writing style. I personally wouldn't recommend it for anyone, much less young teens.
Victor Joceran
I read the book while in 11th grade, but I definitely think it could be taught to 9th and 10th graders as well.
Lia
Yes, I read this book my sophomore year of high school and thought it was absolutely amazing. The writing style is also very easy to understand in comparison to other "classics" which makes it a breath of fresh air when you are young.
Todd Graham
no, consider a new career
Eric Lawless
My sixteen year old daughter just finished it for a tenth grade class, appropriate indeed.
Ozgee
I'm a 10th grader right now and we just finished it at school. Personally, I really liked it and think that it would be appropriate :)
Myra
My daughter read this during her junior year in an AP class, and she enjoyed it. She is a senior now, and she still mentions it. It does have some sensitive topics, but no more than other books they have read. I mean, we read The Outsiders in middle school.
LillyRae
I read this in 9th grade in a class but I'm reading it again in 11th grade for English again and I understand more as an 11th grader
Peggy
My 17-year-old granddaughter recommended it to me, loaned me her copy. But she is exceptional and a writer herself. Probably depends on the sophistication and background of the reader, and maybe that wouldn't be 100% okay in a general classroom. Definitely a serious, thought-provoking novel with historical relevance.
Ethan Cramer
We read this in 11th grade at my school, it would probably be fine for younger kids as well but they might not be mature enough for some of the language.
Nayeli
I would say that this is an appropriate book to be read. It might take a while for them to comprehend the multiple situations talked about, but it seems alright to me.
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