Jake’s class is reading “Freak the Mighty” together and completing activities that go along with the quiz. I re-read with Jake the chapters covered each day in class, and we talk about the book. It’s something we enjoy together every day, and it helps his reading comprehension.

Now if you’ve read that book, you know what happens at the end. I had NOT read it, and I didn’t read ahead of where he was. When we got to the first page of the last chapter, I read two sentences, lowered the book, and got all choked up. I said to Jake, “I can’t read it! I’m gonna cry!”

He jumped up, took the book, pointed at his door, and said, “OUT! NOW!!!”

Normally, I get a pat on the back if he sees me cry. Not today. I think it was because he was ready to cry, too, and he definitely doesn’t want me to see him cry (he’s hit that age).

I went back about 30 minutes later to see if he’d taken the quiz (he did – 100%!), and he asked, “Why did THAT make you cry? How did you NOT see THAT coming? I knew it since the first chapter!”

Well, I kind of knew it, kid, but it was a lot different when I read it in black and white, and it just smacked me in the face.

Anyway, I give this book 10/10 and do recommend it (and a box of Kleenex), but for the love of all that is holy, can the eighth grade teacher please PLEASE pick a happy book next year? Last year was “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and this year was “Freak the Mighty”. I can’t take another sad one!