To think this poem might be inappropriate for y5?

[DoIhavetobethatparent]

I can’t decide if I’m overreacting. I like the poem. I don’t like the message for 9/10 year olds so much. The comprehension questions that go with it all seem to require the answer ‘because life is hopeless now I’m older.’ It is homework - my dc isnt quite 10 but is excited about being 10 and also tends to be quite impressionable.
I can’t decide. The teacher is excellent. Shall I just let it go?

I really like it. It is about growing up and all the magic of early childhood disappearing, change of interests and a different kind of understanding of the world around them.
I think it's great for y 5 children, they are going on a "big journey" during y 6 and into y 7 .
I'm sure that the comprehension questions are geared towards this, not about ‘because life is hopeless now I’m older.’

I think it's like the sex education argument. Will it put ideas into their heads or help them deal safely with the ideas already there?

Kids think more than we give them credit for. I bet they've discovered the peculiar bittersweet nostalgia for the past all on their own. Might help to talk about it.

Look, it’s ONE poem. Poems are not Holy Writ, and the sooner children recognise that the better. It’s good opportunity for a thoughtful child to think about his own feelings about turning ten, versus sentimental adult visions of growing up as loss. (Which show up with tiresome sugary sentimentality every time there’s a ‘believing in Santa Claus’ thread on Mn.)

Poetry doesn’t have to be optimistic.