Z for Zachariah contains explicit sexual and domestic violence, other violence, and murder. It will be necessary to have serious conversations with the class addressing things these subjects ahead of reading the book. The book's explicit sexual and domestic violence in particular are sensitive and often disturbing topics. The teacher should prepare the students for all of this sensitive and potentially very personal and traumatic content, reinforcing that the classroom, above all, will remain a place for respectful and understanding discourse. Depending on the maturity of the class, it might be helpful to have a broad discussion about sexuality and its role in romantic relationships.
The...
