There is also a frenzy of the English curriculum to read and analyze very dark books sophomore year. No one wants to talk about it, and the teachers brushed me off when I objected. But "Blood Diamonds" and "Kite Runner", and 2 more whose titles I can't remember are poor selections for sophomores. One I could almost understand as social consciousness, but there needs to be balance. We read good, thought provoking  literature in high school, but nothing with the graphic dark side. One of my kids experienced depression that year and told me he hated the books. The other didn't say much about the books, but after being a cheerful freshman, by the summer after 10th grade he told me school made him hate reading and he wished he never had to read again. 

I can't help but wonder if the literature selection is weighing on some vulnerable kids.