On Hope and Sunsets

Some thoughts for Serena Boykin (Youth Opinion, “Reflections on a Rape on the Way to School,” May 27):

Dear Serena,

I felt the need to relate to you some hope, in spite of the dark clouds that tend to rain on childhood innocence in the city. I had just finished reading “The Outsiders,” by S. E. Hinton, a book recommended by my 10-year-old. She loved this book and wanted me to share it with my students in my classroom.

The story is about some young teen-age boys who struggle to survive in the city. At the end of the book, a dying friend offers the following advice to the hero of the book: “When you’re a kid everything’s new, dawn. It’s just when you get used to everything that it’s day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That’s gold. Keep that way, it’s a good way to be.”

Serena, your writing reflects the gold in you. I can tell that you, too, dig sunsets in spite of the scary things in the world. Keep it that way, it’s a good way to be.

SUSAN KOGAN

Dorsey High School teacher

Los Angeles