The Backpack Drop Zone: One Sixth-Grade Truth That Exposed Our Quiet Crisis

Tommy’s hand shot up, which was new enough to almost make me flinch.

“Yes, Tommy?” I said.

He stood halfway out of his seat, like he couldn’t sit still with the question inside him.

“Are you gonna take it down?” he asked, nodding toward the duffel bag.

A few kids turned to look.

A few kids stiffened, like the answer might decide whether they were safe in continue reading …