Read If You Dare: Scholastic

I teach a middle school program for gifted and talented students. This year I used "Read If You Dare" for their literature unit. I chose the book for three reasons: 1. It tied in with the mythology units taught in their regular classrooms. 2. The stories are classics and gave me the opportunity to discuss and introduce more works of Chaucer, Hawthorne and Bierce. 3. It contained a story by Stephen King, a favorite author for many students. In short, "Read If You Dare" was a hit with my students. Even gifted children can be reluctant readers, and this book, with its short, high interest stories, was a Godsend to them. It was wonderful to watch the kids put away their Pokemon cards to gulp down "real literature" for a change. The only problem I had was with the profane language in Stephen King's story. I read that Mr. King would only allow this story to be used if it were kept "in tact". Evidently it's been a long time since Mr. King has been in a room full of sixth grade boys, where even the mention of the word "ball" sets off a flurry of giggles, nudges and winks. (Heh, heh, she said,"Ball.") I was able to discuss the language with my students, and told them I was uncomfortable with it, but the overall excellence of the book led to my choice to use it. I doubt I would make the same decision to use it in a regular classroom, and that would be a shame. By the way, I'm on line now looking for a similar book to use next year. Read, won't you do it again? "Read If You Dare - Part II"?