February 2026

If you’re thinking about teaching The Lightning Thief in Grade 7, you’re probably asking: Is Percy Jackson appropriate for middle school? How violent is it? Will parents object? Is it still engaging in 2026? Short answer? Yes. It still works. Long answer? Let’s break it down so you walk in prepared. Why The Lightning Thief […]

If you’re planning on teaching The Giver in Grade 7, this post is your full teacher prep guide. When I reread The Giver as an adult preparing to use it in my classroom, I realized something important: This is not a simple dystopian novel. It’s emotionally heavy. Ethically complex. And yes — it contains scenes