Childhood is truly a confusing and terrifying stage of life. Though most adults tend to recall their formative years as carefree adventures through first loves, blossoming friendships, and endless possibilities, the reality for most children is much less rosy. Nostalgia softens the sharp edges of memory to the extent that many adults fail to remember their fear at facing a wild and unknown world. For children, society itself is wilderness and finding their place in it is survival. This book that you now hold in your hands is written proof.
I met Thịnh in the fall of 2018 during my first year as a secondary school teacher. He stood out to me in our early lessons, not because he was the loudest or the highest achieving, but because he was engaged and curious in every lesson. He thirsted for knowledge in a way that many do not, and he was tenacious enough to seek answers to his many questions. Whether it be about the cosmos, behavioral psychology, or forest ecology, Thịnh has always had a million questions. When I would placate him with material to study on his own, he would return with an impressive level of understanding but even more questions to accompany it. His curiosity was never sated. Over the course of that year, we developed a bond exploring Thịnh’s many interests together. He gave me a deeper understanding of the minds of children and realities of school life. The next year, Thịnh approached me with an invitation to a publishing party for his first novel. I was surprised by the fact that a seventh-grade student had written a full-length novel but, knowing Thịnh, I shouldn’t have been.
Now, Thịnh has finished his second work, The Ultimate Guide to Surviving: The Wicked, Cruel Wilderness & School (which isn’t so much better), a study of the best practices to survive and thrive in the unpredictable wilderness or the equally unpredictable environment of an average high school. For adults, you will have a glimpse into the ingenuity, persistence, and confidence required to pass through school alive and, possibly, you will recall a shadow of the life you once lived. For a student reading this book, you will find useful tips for handling school bullies, angry teachers, and the instructions about finding your own title in the classroom. You will also find that you are not alone and that the problems of childhood are difficult for everyone. You might also find that with a little bit of preparation, the help of a good friend, and some hard work, you too will be able to survive and thrive in school and in the great wilderness (which isn’t so much harder).
Calder Sett
Science Teacher at Nguyen Sieu School