"It's not for our time": Ukrainians name the book they would remove from the school curriculum

Foreign literature teacher Alina Mets invited Ukrainians to name a book that they believe should not be read to children and should be removed from the school curriculum. On one social network, the most popular choice was the story "Fedko-brigand" by Volodymyr Vynnychenko.

Under Metz's post on TikTok, Ukrainians wrote that this particular book is too early to read to schoolchildren in grades 5-6. According to commenters, it is too sensitive content for children at this age. And some shared that they still remember this work from school.

"This book should not be read at school. It should be removed from the school curriculum, the sooner the better. The plot is so absurd that when you read it, you don't understand whether the author is serious or mocking the readers. And although literary critics talk about the deep meaning of this book, about philosophical symbolism, I believe that this book should not be read, especially by children. That it can have a negative impact on their mental health," the teacher said.

She then called for a comment on what Ukrainians think of this book. The comment that received more than 5,000 likes expressed the main vision of social media users: "I don't know what book you're talking about, but 'Fedko-brigand' can cause trauma.

They also named other publications that they consider difficult for children to understand.

"I don't know what they study now, but in my school days we read the Divine Comedy. It's hard for adults to understand this book, not to mention children, and I don't understand why it was even taught in the program."

"Fedko-brigand – a childhood trauma."

"Klymko, Fedko-brigand. As for foreign literature, "The Old Man with Wings," because, to be honest, it is an incomprehensible work that is not taken seriously."

"Fedko-brigand, we had it in the 5th grade, I hate it."

"Boy in striped pajamas".

"All Ukrainian literature is about the suffering, hard life, and fate of the Ukrainian people. There is no positive content".

"Fedko-brigand," "Thirst for Life," "Boy in Striped Pajamas." It would be okay if they were taught in the 10th or 11th grade, it might be better, but in the 5th or 6th grade."

What is "Fedko-brigand" about?

"Fedko-brigand" is a short story by Ukrainian writer Volodymyr Vynnychenko written in 1911. It tells the story of a brave, honest, but mischievous boy named Fedko. And also about another boy, Tolia, who is his complete opposite.

Fedko takes responsibility for Tolia's risky prank by rescuing him during an icebreaker. Because of this, Fedko is severely punished by his father and dies of illness a few days later. Tolia, on the other hand, goes unpunished and even appropriates the bird he won in the argument.

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