Irish Parents Review English Curriculum

Just because a book is gaining popularity in book clubs across the globe, does not mean that it is automatically suitable for children under the age of 18 to be reading and studying as quality 'literature' in the classroom. Where the Crawdads Sing t ells the story of a dysfunctional family and the abandonment of the youngest child, Kya, who lives for many years, alone, in a shack on the marsh. She is befriended by a local teenager, Tate, with whom she has a sexual encounter, while she is still only 15 yrs old. Tate is described as being "18 or 19" at the time. He undresses Kya and touches her breasts and between her legs etc. and even though he stops short of intercourse (because he recognises she is a minor), the scene is very explicit. There is a sub-story of the marsh itself and the wildlife (which is beautifully described) and kya's and Tate's shared interest in this, but most of the book is taken up with the romance and sexual tension and sex scenes betw...

  Set in North  Carolina just before the close of WW1. A young woman who has been shunned by her community because of superstition surrounding her birthmark, befriends a mysterious drifter and they eventually fall in love. This is a small town story with big themes such as the American perspective on WW1 and spies, courage & cowardice, outsiders & insiders, nature, love, fear and bravery. The Cove is a novel that speaks intimately to today's politics. Beautifully written, tough, raw, uncompromising, entirely new. (Colum Mccann) Verdict from Irishparents: Lovely read, good themes and characterisation but check  Parental and teacher alert: The story contains two sex scenes on pg 19 (and implied sex scenes on pgs 99 & 101 and again, in chapter 12) We advise parents to read this book before discussing it with your child's teacher and deciding if you are happy for your child to study it.

  This fictional story is set in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. It is a fictional account of a year in the life of the American poet, Emily Dickinson, and her Irish housemaid, Ada. Their lives are simple and their days are filled with daily rituals, conversations - with family and each other- and tasks, until Ada is assaulted by one of the workers on the Dickinson's estate. Emily is forced by her conscience to act in defense of her friend. Throughout the novel, a homosexual sub-text is running -the inference and not always subtle, that Emily is in love with her sister-in-law. Most of the men in the story are portrayed as ineffectual and blaming (Emily's Father and the Priest), self-serving and cold (Emily's brother), or cruel and bullying (Crohan, the rapist).  Verdict: The book is well-written but the domestic life of a poet and her servant is probably not a subject that most second level students will enjoy being forced to study. Some parents will object to the sexual s...

Sing Street by John Carney is a humorous and sometimes heartfelt, Dublin based Coming of Age movie complete with teenage band (and catchy songs), dysfunctional family, first crush etc. So far so good. However, as much as we would like to, we cannot recommend this film for study in the classroom due to the high content of inappropriate sexual comments and content. Here are some examples taken from the IMDB.com web-site: * A mother is seen putting batteries into a dildo while her son plays downstairs with his band. It is implied that she will be masturbating upstairs while her son's band drowns out the sound. * In one scene, a piece of graffiti in the background reads: "I rode your Ma!" * A man in his twenties tells a tenage boy how he used to "ride" lots of girls. * A teenage character says: "Lick my balls" in one scene * A man mentions that the Christian Brothers School is full of "rapist bullies". * A teenage girl tells a teenage boy that he...

  Originally published in 2018, The Boy in the Water is accurately described by Google Books as " The poignant, life-affirming story of a determined boy, a visionary coach and how the dream of a record-breaking Channel swim became a reality for an 11 yr old boy from Eltham, South London." In 1988, 11-year-old Thomas ("Tefal") Gregory set the record for being the youngest person ever to swim the French - English channel and for circumstances which occurred shortly after the event, his record became a permanent one, which can never be broken. His book recalls his early years of training, the agonising swim itself and his tough, determined coach who helped him through it all. The story is also a tribute to his parents and beloved sister, Anna, who believed in him and supported him through his challenge. Verdict: This book celebrates hard work, perseverance, family and the pursuit of a dream. Beautifully written and a riveting story, it is also a page-turner. Big thumb...

  Review taken from IMD public domain website: Casablanca is a film about the personal tragedy of occupation and war. It speaks to the oppression of the one side - and the heroism and self-deprecation of the other. From opportunists, to isolationists - from patriots to disenchanted lovers - the film has everything a man or woman would enjoy. Bravery, courage, intrigue, romance, beauty and love. Leading actors to please any appetite. Watching this film is to step back to a world that doesn't exist - yet to know it. It is to experience lives that have never been lived - but are "real to you." It is to know pain and joy, pride and pity for characters that are a fiction - yet are so real that you can't help but get lost in their story. Amazing cast, memorable dialogue, unforgettable story. Through this film, Casablanca will always live in my heart and I will think of its characters as family. Verdict of Irishparents: Classic love story set against the backdrop of war. Sui...

Short summary of Rebecca : On a trip to the South of France, the shy heroine of Rebecca falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower. Although his proposal comes as a surprise, she happily agrees to marry him. But as they arrive at her husband's home, Manderley, a change comes over Maxim, and the young bride is filled with dread. Friendless in the isolated mansion, she realises that she barely knows him. In every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, and the new Mrs de Winter walks in her shadow. (Book depository) Also a movie. Black & White version is better! Verdict from Irishparents: Rebecca is classified as a gothic story and as such, is a fast-paced, scary read in parts, but we feel that senior level students are of an appropriate age to enjoy the clever story and it does not  turn gratuitously violent or macabre. However, we advise parents who have any concerns, to read it first. More detailed Story summary taken from Spark no...

  Diego Maradona is a gritty documentary directed by Asif Kapadia, detailing (with real life footage)  the life, achievements and mishaps of Diego Maradona, the famous Argentinian footballer who rocketed to fame after the 1986 World Cup quarter final between Argentina and England. Raw and exposing in parts, the film documents his glories and his shame, his success and his humble, impoverished beginnings. Interesting watch for die-hard fans and others.  Verdict from irishparents: Suitable for Senior students. (Lasts for two hours) ADVERTISEMENT Continue reading the main story

This play is about the life of a black familiy in South Chicago after the Second World War and shows different aspects of this kind of living, as it makes up marginalized communities everywhere in the world. It has influenced the reading and writing of so-called black literature since its first abridged staging. (review by KG Beast) Summary of story by J. N. Plant (Amazon ) Karl Lindner is the only white character in this extraordinary play . The play was written by Lorraine Hansberry in the 1950s. It is about the Youngers, a black family who are tired of living in sub-standard accommodation and want to better themselves in a house with space and a garden. They have the money from Mama's husband's insurance policy but her son, impatient to move into a business venture and become rich, is cheated out of the money....... Karl Lindner, the white man, approaches the black family when he believes they will move into a white neighbourhood and offers to buy them out. Verdict by irishp...