Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor

In an age when so many movies are cast with action heroes and enough pyrotechnics to begin a war, this is the perfect family and classroom movie for several reasons. First, it's difficult for most parents to introduce sensitive topics in a family conversation. Often teens cringe when they feel their parents are trying to enter the domain of 'cool' or 'with it'. But this movie leaves so many doors open which naturally invite questions and thoughtful responses. Why did Dawn leave her family? Why was her father uncomfortable with her return? Who were the 'helpers' in her old home town and who were the people that were so deeply mired in the past that all they could do was try to hurt her? What was Dawn's (late) mother like? What would you say to Dawn if you met her? What would you say to a friend or school acquaintance who undertook the same transition as Dawn? I could go on . . . You know what they say: 'old teachers never die, they just lose their class'. But if I were still in the classroom today I would use this film as a teaching tool to help young people understand that bravery and being true to oneself are not characteristics unique to action figures.