I'm not sure that the two weeks before winter break are the best time to read Night by Elie Wiesel with the 8th graders. It seems like too sad a send off. I remember when I was in 7th or 8th grade, we read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in the weeks before break. Can't teach that here at my non-denominational school, however.

Night is critically important, but so so sad.