Writers as Readers

I can read pretty much anywhere. I read in quite places, loud places, small spaces, and big spaces. I read on the go in planes, cars, boats, and trains. I read alone, in my room, under a pile of pillows and blankets. I read during the day, and at night. As long as the book is good, I can tune in under any circumstances.

When I was in the 2^nd grade, we were expected to make the transition from picture books to novels. I struggled with this and fell behind in reading. I was considered a below average reader and couldn’t seem to catch up with my classmates. My teacher made me feel me feel inferior and it became one of my biggest insecurities. My parents made me read Warton and the King of the Skies, a book about two frog brothers working together to fly their hot air balloon. After reading this book a few times, I began reading more advanced books. Eventually, I surpassed my fellow classmates and became an above average reader. Thanks Warton.

I have read a lot of book series. My first, like many others, was Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I became so enthralled in the series that I read the first four books in the span of a week. At the time, the fifth and last book hadn't been release and I had to wait a whole three months before I could finish! During this waiting period, I made my mom buy me the various posters, extras, and even the "Demigod Files"- a complete guide to the world of Percy Jackson. I was a regular fan girl. My friends and I would discuss the characters at recess and would sometimes pretend that we were at Camp Halfblood and run around fighting monsters and completing quests.
I also read the Hunger Games series (multiple times). I related to Katniss at the time, and the idea of rebellions and fighting oppression and the closeness of- and sometimes the lack of- family were all common themes in my life. Also, the relationship with her sister seemed to parallel my own with my younger sister. Katniss had to step up and be a parent to her sister when neither of hers could. Prim was the most important person in her life, like Sydney is in mine. When she got hurt after the third book and stopped talking for a while, I related with her confusion and feeling of brokenness.