Blog Post # 4 Foley- Routman (2003) ,Ch. 3: Share Your Reading Life

As long as I can remember, I have always been a struggling reader. I spent most of my 12 years in school needing the assistance of reading tutors, after-school reading programs, summer reading camps, etc. Although reading was such a struggle for me, my mother supported me 110%.  She found books that would interest me, help me read them or read to me. I never disliked reading, even though I struggled. I especially loved children books. My mother is an author, and she would share many of her stories. Often they somehow involved me.

 I also grew up with a well-known author, Judith St. George, who knew I struggled with reading; thanks to my mother.  As a result, she would share her love of reading and writing with me.  So many of her books pertained to the area where I lived or were based on historical places we often visited.  She would tell me how she came up with her book ideas, and, as a result, I remember eagerly waiting for her to finish her next book!  Later, as a teacher, I enjoy reading her books to my students.  When I taught in the older grades, I would share the story of Mrs. St. George, her love of being an author, and unknown facts about her and her books that fascinated me growing up.  Not only did she write children and teen books, but Mrs. St. George also wrote the screen plays for several James Bond movies. I thought that was so cool!!  Each time, I read one of her books to my class, I am reminded of the joy of reading I felt when I was a young girl.

While I was growing up, my mother would give me a book every Christmas or for special event in my life. It was either from a local author, friend or a book that had a special meaning at the time. I still have all of these books, and I tell my students about how or why I got these books when I share them with my class.  I also let my students know that I have my own personal library, and I encourage my students to make one of their own that they may one day share with their own children.