Trauma, which has long been buried within the taboos of societal discourse, has recently gained a sense of legitimacy. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that trauma is far more ubiquitous than society wishes to accept or acknowledge. And yet, despite trauma's augmented presence within the public discourse, it remains a source of tremendous ambivalence-particularly within schools. In the English classroom, these dynamics may be even more prominent, since instruction related to reading and writing often necessitates that students connect vulnerably to narratives. This practical book helps readers understand:

• The neuroscience of trauma
• How trauma can show up in the English classroom
• Why trigger warnings often fall short
• How to build connections through relational teaching
• How to use characters from books to help students navigate their own trauma
• Strategies for responding to student writing about personal trauma

By exploring how trauma impacts students' ability to read literature, write, and engage, English teachers will be better prepared when relating to students who get triggered by content that evokes past traumas.