Helping Ourselves and Our Students with Reading Interests

Richard Peck writes, "The literature of our children becomes our lifelong luggage," I now understand why I carry so much "baggage." I love to read, teach reading, and talk about reading. I guess this is the kind of baggage one does not mind carrying.

My reading pursuits came at a young age. I remember the "Golden Books." These were my favorite as an elementary child. On the inside of the book's cover, you would find, "This book belongs to______________" andmy name scrawled by a fat green crayon across the line. Each book represented treasure for me. My favorite was one of the original twelve, the Pokey Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey. The main character, a puppy, seemingly navigated through a world of his own. I related to his losing time and being late, finding mischief, and generally being a good soul. I loved these books so much I bought them for my own children. My attic now holds onto them for my grandchildren.

The next book that captured me was Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson and Steven Polson. My fifth grade teacher would read my class the story every afternoon before the day's end. Animals are important to me, especially dogs. The story of Old Yeller was my first experience reading words that invoked powerful emotions. The main character of the book tugged at my most vulnerable sentiments: loss and grief. Life for me, including now, has brought much loss and many hours of grief. Loving animals has helped me through periods of grief. I believe in using words to bring hope and healing. I maintain reading materials that promote connection, realism, and hopefulness.

In high school, my senior year, I met the teacher who would turn me on to greater heights of literature, writing, and oral storytelling. It was in my senior composition and literature class, I found the book, The Thornbirds, by Colleen McCullough (1977). Growing up in a deeply religious home, I related to the book's powerful themes of love, failure, judgments, and consequences. I connected to the character, Meghann (Meggie). I understood and loved her. She had courage in her failures. Even remembering her in now time, brings encouragement of strength. The book so touched me, I determined if I ever had a girl, her name would be Meghann. 15 years ago, my wish was granted.

Like the pokey puppy, I sometimes get lost in myself. I usher in feelings of grief as they take root like the emotions invited through Old Yeller, and as Meghan tells her beloved priest, "Life is like a rose. It is beautiful, yet has nasty thorns." I grieve, I enjoy myself, and I watch carefully. I learned all these abilities through literature, life, and learning. Carrying my baggage is made easier through teaching, reading, talking about reading, and writing. It creates a journey of hope.

Every school year brings for me a student who fits each of my favorite stories. It helps to teach from the heart and use material that I deem personal. I am able to read the Pokey Puppy and discuss our uniqueness. If grief comes to roost in one of my student's atmosphere, Old Yeller is there. Finally, there is Meghann, teaching not only my school children, but my own children how life is beautiful, yet thorny, can provide sobering connections.

Reference:

Gipson, Fred and Polson, Steven. (2001). Old Yeller. Perennial Classics: New York.

Lowrey, Janet Sebring. (2001). Pokey Little Puppy. Golden Books: New York.

McCullough, Colleen. (1979). The Thornbirds. Avon: New York.