This week 8th Graders stepped into history as part of their “Living Wax Museum” presentations to D-E families, faculty, and staff. The cross-disciplinary project, facilitated by Ms. Burnett and Mr. Akula, consisted of dynamic, student-led performances that brought literature to life in a memorable way, with some students fabulously dressing the part. In small groups, students immersed themselves in books that have been banned across the United States, with one student speaking as the author and sharing the ideas that made the book controversial, and their peers embodying the characters from the story.

Ms. Burnett said the reason for the theme was the fact that book bans are on the rise nationally. “At a time when there’s a narrowing of voices, it’s important to deliberately expand them,” she remarked. Featured books included George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye,” “The Complete Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi, “Dumplin’” by Julie Murphy, “Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry” by Joya Goffney, and many more. Students gave insightful reasons why these books should not be banned, such as helping to publicize important issues and encouraging vulnerability.

“This experience is an invitation for students to grapple with questions of censorship, free expression, empathy, and the enduring power of storytelling,” said Ms. Burnett. “By inhabiting voices that have been silenced or suppressed, students are doing exactly what Dwight-Englewood challenges them to do—meet the complexities of a changing world with curiosity, courage, and a commitment to making it better.”