Peter Pan, plus

I

Cuba and the missile crisis was a defining moment in American history

Unfortunately there have been so many defining moments, ain't that fine

In the western PA hallow, wolves gathered there to howl, the howling

Riled up the farmers who gathered their guns to shoot em all, ain't that fine

The Oklahoma land rush created opportunities, for some more so

Than others, the Tulsa massacre is still unsettling, ain't that fine

A boy, a pony, and a ghost, a simple story with layers, and side roads

So enriching, hard to believe how the threads weave together, ain't that fine

The mixing of races, legitimacy vs appearances, infused the young girl’s

Story set in the post Civil War South, but truth will out, ain't that fine

The “other” will be used when there is lack of knowledge, understanding

Martha's Vineyard developed a significant sign language, ain't that fine

  II

The Iran hostage story, another of those defining moments, retold thru

The life of a young middle school caught in the middle, ain't that fine

The injustice between what could have been, and what was, still lives

On in many ways today, all Americans suffer for this, ain't that fine

Looking back to racial tensions in Chicago of the 60's told via Sam's story

Brings another view to what's happened, happening still, ain't that fine

Middle school, a defining period of life, challenges the development of the self

And the one constant, a challenge, occurs no matter the time period, ain't that fine

Who are we, what will we do, follow one of our parents footsteps 

Or go in the opposite direction, navigating that challenge, ain't that fine

Defining our place, within a religious approach, or having made sense of the 

Frightful world, challenges us with nuances between those ends, ain't that fine

So Sherlock, now that you know what you know, would you go back

And change something, anything, or go forward; ain't that fine

Note: the first 9 line pairs summarize a book from the Franklin Middle School reading list for 2026. Celebrating the 250th, the books tap into different time periods of our American life and defining moments. You can find the reading list - https://anunlikelystory.indiecommerce.com/fms26