WRAD Blogging Challenge: Week 1

Last year, I connected with other librarians and authors for World Read Aloud Day. As part of this year's efforts, I am participating in the World Read-Aloud Blogging Challenge. Here is my entry for Week 1:

What is your earliest or fondest memory when someone read-aloud to you? 

My fondest memory comes from middle school. My reading teacher read from Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien.

MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Published: Jan. 1, 1971

Published by: Aladdin

Pages: 233 

Awards:

Newbery Medal - 1972

Massachusett's Children's Book Award - 1978

We were each issued a copy of the book to follow along with our teacher, and I remember really liking that part!  Each night, I took the book home and reread that day's chapter. I grew to care so much for Mrs. Frisby, and I worried about her little family! I vaguely remember discussions we had about the story, and I'm not sure if we did any assigned work with it. But I do remember feeling so very invested in the characters and loving this book so very, very much.

My last memory of the book came on the day we ended our reading. We were supposed to hand in our issued books, and as I stood in line to give mine to my teacher, she mouthed these words to me: "Keep the book. It's yours."

And with this simple gesture, my teacher created an unforgettable lifetime moment for me.  This was the first book I ever owned. It was a tattered paperback, and it had been read before by other classes, but I was happy to have it (okay, GLORIOUSLY happy to have it). All the other books I'd read had all come from the library. I took care of them as if they were gold, for they were that to me. Without my school and public libraries, I would never have had access to all the books I had as a child.

My teacher opened up a new possibility to me: I could have my own library. I can look back now and know that this was a milestone moment in my reading life.

I have many more books now, and I don't know what happened to that copy. I hope it found its way to another grateful reader.

Thank you for reading my post! I look forward to connecting with libraries and authors on March 5th to share good books!