Read!!

I'm a book nut, always have been, always will be. I read "Gone with the Wind" in 7th grade and loved it. I worked through all the Madeline L'Engle books and more. I discovered Science Fiction/Fantasy books in High School where Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer-Bradley were tops. I love the classics too with Edgar Allan Poe, Jack London, and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Where did I get my love of books? From my parents, of course! My mom is as big a book nut as I am, and she passed it along to both my sister and I. So, what's the point of this entry? Easy, I volunteered at my son's school again.

It's an issue not just at my son's school, it's in a lot of them. There are kids that LOVE to have someone read to them, but for some reason their parents don't. Maybe their parents can't read, or maybe they're just learning English and can't read the english books their child brings home. I don't know, and I still think it's a shame.

I spent my morning reading books to some of the GREATEST listeners I've met. They LOVED having me read to them, and were happy to discuss what I'd read. Why was I reading to them? Because their parents didn't. My son's school, in cooperation with Pizza Hut, is starting a book club. If a child reads X number of books in a month, they can earn a personal pan pizza. If a child can't read, it's up to the parent (or relative, or friend, or teacher) to read to them. These kids really wanted to participate. The teachers were doing what they could, but don't necessarily have the time to read to each child individually, to help them with the club.

I had a blast sharing my time with these kids. My love of books, their love of listening to them, worked great together. They're working hard to learn to read, and I know with their determination they'll get there quickly.

I recommend to ANYONE that loves books, volunteer an hour a week (or every other week) at your local school. READ to the kids. You'll be glad you did.