1.Curriculum Relevance: "Forgotten Fire" is a historical novel that explores the Armenian Genocide, a tragic and significant chapter in world history. If a high school's curriculum includes studies related to history, human rights, or cultural heritage, the book could be a valuable resource to enhance students' understanding of these topics.
2.Educational Value: The book sheds light on a lesser-known historical event and provides a deeper insight into the Armenian people's resilience, courage, and cultural identity. It can contribute to students' overall development as empathetic and informed individuals with a global perspective.
3.Sensitive Content: The novel portrays challenging and traumatic events, including violence and suffering experienced by the Armenian characters during the genocide. Educators need to consider whether students are emotionally and intellectually mature enough to engage with such content responsibly and respectfully.
4.Historical Context: Reading the book can help students understand the historical context and circumstances that led to the Armenian Genocide, facilitating discussions about the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and human rights.
5.Discussion Prompts: The book can serve as a starting point for discussions on themes like identity, discrimination, prejudice, and the power of human spirit. It can encourage critical thinking and promote discussions about preventing similar atrocities in the future.
6.Parental and Community Involvement: It is essential to engage parents and the wider community when considering the inclusion of books that deal with sensitive topics. Their input, concerns, and perspectives should be acknowledged to foster a shared understanding and dialogue.
7.Alternative Resources: If some schools find "Forgotten Fire" unsuitable due to its content, they may explore alternative literary works, documentaries, or multimedia resources that address the Armenian Genocide or similar historical events.
Ultimately, decisions about reading materials in schools should be made carefully and collaboratively by educators, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders. Each school's unique circumstances and educational objectives should be taken into account to determine the appropriateness of specific books for their students.