Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Middle School

Three sixth-graders skip school to go visit their teacher in the oncology wing of the hospital on her last day before she is transferred to another city. The boys reflect on how she has uniquely made a lasting impact on each of their lives. 

The premise is lovely but these kids make some baaaaaaad choices along the way, despite their hearts being in the right place.

Possible Concerns:

  • Blackmailing a teacher
  • Fist fights
  • Stranger danger & alcohol. The boys convince a sketchy character to buy a bottle of wine for their teacher, chase him when he takes off with their money, and attack him (not knowing if he has a weapon!). Later they blackmail him into giving them his bottle of whiskey. At least they don’t drink the whiskey….  
  • Lying… to get into the hospital and visit the teacher’s room
  • Disobeying nurse’s orders. The boys give food to their teacher-patient. The teacher busts out of the hospital with them for a rendezvous to a nearby park.
  • Potty/body humor
  • when someone gets mad they “said things about our mothers.”
  • Poor parenting. The parents are all pretty disconnected from the kids whether by being too busy or too perfectionist or in depression. So it generally doesn’t model great parent-kid relationships.

Overall, this could be really powerful for someone with loved ones fighting cancer or illness. I don’t recommend it for someone who might follow the kids’ example and make reckless choices, or for any families that struggle to engage with each other, as the parents are really disconnected in this one. But the story is really sweet and inspiring. (I cried—of course.)