In the Creative Academics Program in elementary school, they made us read this book. I remember thinking, even at the time, like ‘man, why would you put this on a bunch of kids?’.

Then, we had a discussion about the book. Such child appropriate themes as ‘do you want to live forever?’, ‘when would you like to stop aging?’, and my favorite, ‘what would you do if you were in the family’s position?’.

I don’t know, dude. I’m 8 years old.

Between this book, real life things that would fall into the same themes, and my propensity for dwelling, this book screwed me up good. Too real.