Robert Sae-Heng

The fire alarm rings, and your teacher asks a question that stops the whole class in its tracks. If your house were on fire and your family and pets were already safe, what is the one single thing you would save? You might think you know your answer immediately. Maybe it is your phone, a favorite sweater, or a special photograph. But as you listen to your classmates share their choices, your mind might start to change. Some kids pick things that are practical, while others choose items attached to a deep memory. Through a series of linked poems, you get a front-row seat to this classroom debate. You will hear the voices of many different students as they argue, agree, and reveal surprising truths about themselves and their families. This unique story captures the exact feelings, worries, and hopes of being in middle school. As the conversation flows around the room, you will discover that the things we hold most precious are not always what they seem. Join the discussion and figure out what matters most to you when everything else is stripped away.