Jennifer Horgan: Elizabeth Strout book teaches that children's work is learning how to live

William O'Flaherty (four) from Kanturk, Co Cork, takes on the Seat Belt Sheriff, at the RSA 2026 summer road safety programme at the Kaleidoscope Festival in Russborough House, Blessington. 'I’ve decided that I’m done with adults demanding young people change the world for them. Young people have enough going on.' Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke

To be alive is a private thing.

What a line! It’s from my book of the summer, The Things We Never Say, by Elizabeth Strout. It’s a must read, especially for teachers.