RATING READING: YOUNGSTERS AIR THEIR FEELINGS ON FAVORITE BOOKS, TIMES AND PLACES

Jennifer Madox is a student at Schultz School.

Misty Perkuhn.

Collin Giles.

By Victoria Ligonis

When I was little, I would always love the times Mrs. Janet would read to me. Everyday she would pick an exciting book to read. I enjoyed the way she would go slowly through the pages so that I could see all of the colorful pictures. Mrs. Janet is no longer in this world due to a fatal back injury. But every time I open a book, it's like she is in the room reading to me. It will never be the same.

By Jennifer A. Schlosser

Reading is the only way to live nine lives. To me that means you can become anyone you want over and over again. A super hergadog, or maybe an archaeologist, baking in the hot desert sun, digging for days without water, trying to uncover an ancient artifact that has been buried for hundreds of years. You can become anyone when you open a book.

By Wesley Brewer

My most favorite author is Garry Paulson because he writes adventure books and that's the kind of books I like to read. So far I've only read two of his books, and those are The Hatchet and The River, but I plan on reading a lot of his books.

By Jimmy Choi

When I was two I learned to read. I like to read by myself because most of the time I don't really listen, and I don't learn that much. But when I read on my own, I learn more and I don't need to be dependent on adults telling me what that word is.

By Jackie McAllister

I like reading because it's relaxing. A book can take you where you want to be and takes your mind off any of the problems you might have. I also like reading because it can be an adventure, you can go somewhere dangerous and to far off places without leaving your chair.

By Sarah Stricker

My favorite place to read is my room. I pick up a book, sit up in bed, and just start reading away. First I set up pillows, pull my cover over me and just get comfortable. I take my book off of my night stand, open it up and read. I like to read in my room because it's quiet; nobody hardly bothers me, and I'm totally at ease.

By Liz Sabatos

My favorite author is a science-fiction writer, Timothy Zahn. I haven't read very many of his books, but I have been reading a three part trilogy of Star Wars books by him. These books pick up after the movie Return of the Jedi left off. I think Zahn captures the characters very well.

By Kara Fulton

When I was little I always loved when my grandma read to me. She would read Bible stories to me at night. I would always fall asleep a little after. I enjoyed hearing her read about Adam and Eve, Moses, the flood, etc.

By Lezlie Scifers

When I was little I always loved the times when my dad would read to us. We always use to read the Sweet Pickles books right before bed. But there was always a favorite book that we would read more than any other. But every time we read it, it never got boring, just more exciting.

By Angie McFerren

I like to read because you can let go of all your problems. Forget about homework or the fight you had with your Mom. Just get absorbed in the book and figure out who the killer is, or who she's going to pick for her boyfriend.

By Julia Wright

My most favorite time to read is when my little sister, Janease wants me to read to her, she listens to me reading my books. She's 3-years-old and she can read some books for her age. I hope that it will keep her interested in reading through her life time.

By Emilee Atchley

The only way of living nine lives is by reading. Because you can use your imagination in books and go to nine or even more different places or experience many things when you read.

My best - B. Matzat

By Sara Little

My favorite place to read is in my room. I like to lie down in my bed, turn my radio on, and read. I also like to go outside and sit under our big shade tree sometimes. My favorite times to read are early afternoon and right before bed.

I like to read longer books like The Yearling and To Kill a Mocking Bird. I like long books because with short books as soon as you get into them, they're over.

I like to read because it's just like TV only without commercials. With books you can go at your own pace, and you get more variety with books than with TV. So if you have spare time and there's nothing good on TV, read a book.

By Tiffany Harris

I like to read because I'm in my own world where I can go to any time and let my imagination roam free. It's my imagination, my adventure. I may go around the world in one night or climb the tallest, most dangerous mountain in the world. I like to read because it's exciting and keeps me in suspense. You never know about a book until you pick it up and read it. It can be like a good friend always there for you.

By Amber Wissman

My most favorite time to read is during a storm or while it is snowing. One reason is because if it is a scary story the thunder and lightning make it more interesting and believable. While it snows I will usually cuddle up with a good book either in my room or on the couch. I find reading to be fun and enjoyable and a great time consumer when I'm bored.

By Latoya Chambers

Reading is the only way to live nine lives. To me that means you can have many adventures, while reading books. You can go to many different places like a rain forest or a desert. You can be anyone like a princess, a doctor or a circus star. When you read books you can fly an airplane or figure skate in the Olympics. If you ever get tired of your own life just read a book and you can plunge into a life all your own.

By Drew Christian

I like to read because it can take you to new places that you may never be able to go. You can meet people you may never get to. When you read you can go anywhere. If you want to sail the seven seas you just have to pick up a book about sailing. You can also go on a space travel or anywhere else. Reading is the only way to live nine lives because if you read nine books that put you in the shoes of another person you have just lived nine lives.

By Brandon Buttrey

It's funny why you ask where my favorite place to read is because it's some place unknown. It's my secret scary place to read. This secret scary place is very old and rusty with cob webs everywhere. Some times I see glowing eyes staring at me or gross things crawling all over me. There is always a scary chill that gets me in the mood for R.L. Stine!

If you are wondering where this place is I guess I can tell you. Go through the forest and in the hill you go through Deer Skull Tunnel at the sewer opening then there are four tunnels but that's on your own.

By Erin Ross

I like to read now because when I was young, my Mom used to read books like The Secret Garden and a Wrinkle in Time to me before bed time every night. I was about 3 or 4 then, and I would read some of the smaller words back to her. As I grew older, I began to read more. My reading amount got larger until I was reading every other chapter out loud. I was one of the first in my kindergarten class to understand some of the larger words. I still often read books above my own grade level. I do spend most of my free time reading a good book.

By Aaron St. Clair

My reading environment, where I read, is in my room. I read in my room because it is quiet and very comfortable. I can read in my chair by the window or in my chair at the desk. But my bed is where I mostly sit on to read.

My favorite time to read is at night or after school. I read at night because it is calm and quiet, except for the charming sound of the grasshoppers. I read after school because my sister isn't usually home to bother me then.

The reason I read is because reading can take me anywhere or let me do anything. Plus, reading helps me learn and makes learning fun.

By Kyley Egson

My favorite place to read is in the living room because in the living room there is this orange chair that I like to sit in and read. I always read there. My favorite books is Where the Red Fern Grows. I have heard the book so many times that I still like it. My 5th grade teacher was reading it to our class and half of the class started crying because at the end of the book the dogs had died.

By Ravyn Reed

I like to read because it's fun to read about other places. I can read about foreign countries. I can read about the mysteries of the world and famous people and places. With my imagination I can experience anything when I read. When I read about the smells of the outside world or their colors it's as if I'm there. With a book to read and my imagination I can travel anywhere!

By Morgan Mix

My most favorite author is the one who write Nancy Drew Mysteries, Carolyn Keene. Her writing is pretty addictive and once I start reading her books I usually can't stop. In her books 'Nancy' travels all over the world; Peru, Turkey, Africa and more. I guess I'm a pretty big fan. I've read about 35 out of 56 and hope to read them all. I think the best one is The Secret of the Old Clock; her first one to write and the first one I read. So if you're looking for adventure and action-packed suspense, read Nancy Drew.

By Chelsea Seabaugh

I love reading. My two favorite types of books are horror and science fiction. My favorite horror author is definitely Stephen King. His books are long, but the scare and suspense are worth it. I am beginning Needful Things. My favorite science fiction author is Isaac Asimov. My Grandma Sarah told me about his books, and they are wonderful! His books mainly take place in the future. I've read two of his books and they were great. Books like that really keep my attention. Most of the time when I start reading it's nearly impossible to stop.

By Jessica Porter

Do you like to read? I do. I started reading in kindergarten, and when I learned I thought it was fun, so I continued reading. Over the years I got into harder and more interesting books. Now I like to read mysteries, true stories, Christian series, and novels.

I think reading is fun because you can experience earlier times and go many different places too!

When I was in 1st and 2nd grade I liked to read in the back yard. Now I'm in 7th grade and I like to read at my desk, on my bed, and sometimes on the couch. I enjoy reading and I hope you do too!

By Tia Meyer

My favorite time to read is early in the morning when neither the sun or my parents are up. I tiptoe slowly through the house and quietly sit on the blue couch trimmed with pink and green flowers. Above my head is a big skylight. I can hear birds just starting to peck at the hard cold ground. I read for hours on end, never thinking of stopping. My favorite author, Laura C. Sterknson, keeps me wondering what will happen next. When the sun finally comes up, I finish my book and marvel at he sun's colors.

By Faith Terry

My most favorite time to read is at night once everyone is sleeping or when I'm home alone simply because it is quieter and your mind can absorb and explore the words as well as understand them.

But if you think of it, reading is kind of like living nine lives. My reason for thinking this is with every book you read it's like you're living a different life each time and eventually you would have lived your nine lives. So if you really think about it reading is a really amazing thin. You just have to take the time to look beyond the words and really understand them.

So to sum it all up, my most favorite place to read is at home in my bed on a cold day, comfortable and warm under the blanket all alone.

By Michelle Fike

I remember when Mrs. Whitner taught me how to read. She was my first grade teacher. I knew how to read a few words but not all. I'm glad I know how to read. Where in life would I be if I didn't know how to read? I wouldn't ever get a job. My grades would fail and I wouldn't have any self-confidence in myself. So now that I know how to read I'm thankful for it. Thank you Mrs. Whitner from Alma Schrader School for making that big difference in my life.

By Jennifer Gosche

I like to read because it's interesting to read about fictional characters. I like to read about people who have some of the same interests I do. My most favorite time to read is on rainy days. I like to read many different types of books. I like to read both fiction and non-fiction. When I read fiction, I like to read about people my age. When I read non-fiction, I like to read mysteries and adventures. I like to read things other than books, such as newspapers and magazines.

By Chiquita Bell

My favorite place to read is in my room because it's very quiet. I like to read when I'm mad. When I am mad and I read a chapter of a good book it makes me happy. I love to read mystery books and real life stories of another person's life. My favorite author is Judy Blume. She write real good books. I've read almost all of her books. There's only one or two of her books I have not read. I have two favorite characters in a book.

My best paragraphs - Heckert

By Amanda Short

When I was little, I loved using my imagination for playing Barbies, house or doctor. I had lots of fun playing with my friends. But I had the best time when my dad read to me. Though he couldn't make a good Barbie voice or pretend well, he could read anything (especially things I chose). I'd curl up in his lap, look up in his eyes, and listen to his story. Even though he didn't make neat voices or look down from the book, he let me turn the pages.

By Stesha Haman

I love to read every spare moment I have. When I was little, I would come to my grandpa with a big armload of books. He probably read me those books thousands of times. But by doing so, he taught me how to read at an early age and probably gave me an advantage in life. He died about 7 years ago, but his memory is with me every time I open a book.

By Hayley Bridges

When I was little, I would always love the times Grandpa would read to me. We would go in my little library and pick out an adventure to live for the night. After we chose, we'd go back to my bed. He would tuck me in, all snug and warm, and start reading. When he was done, we would talk about the story. After that, I fell right to sleep. Every time he would spend the night, we would choose someone else's life to experience.

not used in YELL edition

By Paul Bacak

My favorite place to read is on the porch in the front of our house, on one of the two chairs we have out there. The sun beams down, but it is nice and cool out there in the shade. I like to take my shoes off and listen to everything--the birds flying and making noise and every now and then a car driving by. All of a sudden I get lost in my book.

By Rashida Wilson

My most favorite author is R.L. Stine. I like him because he's very descriptive and imaginative. His horror stories are absolutely outstanding! Every time I read them, he has me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what will happen next. I kind of imagine that I'm there in the story as well, like it's happening to me. He writes about things that are on the "dark" side. Things you'd never imagine until you read them. His characters might be a beast, bat, shark or a terrifying human. Either way, R.L. Stine's books are definitely "two thumbs up!"

By Mark Barylski

My most favorite time to read is at night when it's storming outside. I open the blind just enough to let the light glimmer in. Then the lightning strikes and lights up the whole room. Then the thunder starts, and I sit up out of my bunk bed and bump my head on the ceiling. Bumping my head isn't enjoyable, but reading in my spot is. No one's awake, and its peaceful except for the storm.

not used in YELL edition

Heckert cont.

By Tom Dohogne

My favorite place to read is in my bedroom on my bed where it's good and squishy. I like to keep a fan blowing on me to keep me cool. I will also have loud music in the background, not classical, but rap or heavy metal, because it helps me think better. If you were to come into my room, I'd tell you to go away and leave me alone. That's my favorite place to read.

By Martha Stoecker

My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hill, taught me how to read. She made it really fun with letter people. There were inflatable people with letters on their bellies and items on them to represent their letters. Mrs. Hill would keep them in the back room so we couldn't see them until she brought them out. I remember Mr. "M" the most, because my names starts with an "M". Mrs. Hill gave us marshmallows that day and asked us some words that started with the letter "M". That was my first introduction to reading.

By Gabe Kinder

I don't remember much from my childhood, but I do remember when my great grandmother would read to me. I used to visit her quite often. I remember her telling me folk tales and other little stories. She read a chapter of the Bible to me every day. She taught me my first words, days of the week and months of the year. She gave me a good head start on life, and I thank her for that.

By Jordan S. Bingham

My favorite time to read is in the afternoon. I can lie on my bed, stretched out with the curtains open so that it is nice and warm, sit on the front steps, or in a lawn chair in part shade/part sun and escape to a world of fantasy that I can only enter through a book. I like to read because as an only child, I don't have very many things to do. So when I'm bored, I pick up a book and suddenly I forget my boredom, having escaped to fantastic, far off places and times in exciting fantasies. so when there's nothing to do, or just for fun, I read.

By Lorie Bittle

My favorite time to read is on dark winter nights by the fireplace when everyone else in the house is asleep. It's better when everyone is asleep because no one can bother me. I like reading by the fireplace because it's warm and the light is good. At night time I love reading mystery books. They just seem more mysterious when read by only firelight on a cold winter night. Those are my favorite places and times to read.

By Lindsey Francis

I like to read because it puts me at ease. When I'm reading, I forget about all of my problems. I feel like I become the person and have all the wonderful adventures as my favorite character in the book. I read when I am under pressure, and it really relaxes me. My favorite times are when I'm reading because it's like I travel to a distant land .It's hard to interrupt me when I'm reading and bring me back into "real life". It makes me feel good about myself when things in life don't turn out exactly as I had hoped, I read and I forget all about my disappointment. Reading just makes me feel god inside!

By Matt Komorech

I remember when my kindergarten teacher taught me how to read. At first I didn't even know I was learning how. The way Mrs. Whitesides was teaching me seemed like a game. I can still remember the letter people, learning about the sounds they make, and their stories. I finally realized that I could read when I started reading Dr. Seuss books. I was really excited and continued to read more stories. I am now in the 7th grade, and without reading I would not have made it this far.

By Sarah Rutherford

When I was little I would always love the times my grandma would read to me. My grandmother would often come to visit me two or three times a week. She would sit on the sofa and ask me to go get a book. Since she was and still is a school librarian, she loved to read and was good at it too. She has a clear, crisp, beautiful voice. My favorite book was always Green Eggs and Ham. Now that I am old enough to read on my own, I enjoy reading to my little sister.

By Lillian Dean

My favorite place to read is in my bed at night. I turn on my reading light. Its bright light shines on my bed. I crawl into my bed and pull my favorite quilt, the one my great grandma made me, up close. Book propped up on my pillows, I get my stuffed bear, and we're off on an unforgettable journey in a book!

By Courtney Bradley

I like to read because it takes me to new cities, states, and countries. It opens a whole new life to me. Reading puts me in a different place and a different time. It's exciting -- and sometimes dangerous and scary. Reading gives me new friends and different families. Sometimes when I read and look up, it's weird because I expect to see what I was reading about; but instead, I see my living room or deck or bedroom. I like to read because it is fun and it relaxes me.

By Jennifer Taylor

My favorite place and time to read is out on my front porch on a cool summer night when it's storming. This is my favorite place and time because I love reading mysteries, and that makes my book even more mysterious when I look up and it is thundering and lightning. When I read outside, it gives me a chance to think about the book. That's my favorite place and time to read.

By Katie Rose

The reason everyone should read is because reading is a very rare and special gift. Unlike other gifts, it can never get lost or taken from you. And reading is better than a car or a plane because you can go to wherever you want and you don't use gas or money. You just open a book and poof, you're there. The sky or even farther is the limit when you read. Make life long friendships with Sherlock Holmes, go on a trip to Treasure Island, and have an un-birthday with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. Read!

By Morgan Maki

When I was little my dad would read to my brother and sisters and me while we were going to sleep. He would read us books about Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Robin Hood and Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. He would sit at the end of our bed and my sisters would lie on a mattress until they fell asleep and then go to their beds. That is one of my favorite memories of reading.

By Ginny Keefer

My favorite place to read is in bed at night, before I go to sleep. I like it when it is quiet, and no one else is around.

Where I live, at night I can hear the sounds of crickets, frogs, owls and other night creatures when I am reading.

Sometimes if the book I am reading is intense, I stay up late reading it, and then I dream about it.

By Sarah Chaudhari

My most favorite time to read is when I'm all alone. I go to a secluded place where no one can bother me. I turn on the fan and light. The light shines softly, not too harsh and bright. Then I fluff the pillows on my bed. After that I lie back and relax. In my book I travel to far away lands and go on exciting adventures. I'll get lost in the book and won't find my way back until the book is over.

By Sheila Zook

When I was little, I loved when my sister read to me. She would always make me feel better when she did. She would make me feel like I was in the story. She was like a Mom to me. We would always read together in her room in the basement. I would ask her to read a book to me, and she would take me down in the basement and we would read all night long. Now that she's grown up, I miss her.

By Jessica Newberry

My favorite place to read is on my be bed in my room. It is very comfortable there. I like to read because you feel like you are there in the story. You feel like the story is happening to you! I enjoy reading in my spare time at school. I also like to read at night before I go to bed. I like stories that scare you and that are suspenseful. My favorite author is R.L. Stine. Reading is a way that you can live in all different places, and learn about them too!

By Lane Thomasson

When I was little, I would always love the times Dad would read to me. He would always read Green Eggs and Ham. Every night I would wait for Dad, and he would walk to the room with the book. He always read to me at night. And eventually I was reading that book on my own. I read Green Eggs and Ham over and over to my parents. Then I got sick of reading that book and moved on to other books. Now I still have my dad read to me at night.

By Toni Jo Ervin

When I was little, I would always love the times when my mother would read stories to me. Almost every day before I would go to bed, my Mom would read me a story so I would go to sleep. I listened to the words of the story and looked at the pictures until my eyes got sleepy, and then I would go to sleep. Sometimes I would fall asleep before my mother would finish the story.

By Katie Taylor

My favorite place to read is my bedroom in the basement. I like to crawl up on my soft, cozy bed and read a good book. Usually I turn on my radio and listen to music while I read. I like my room because it is quiet and my sister doesn't bother me there. When I am in my room I feel safe. I can really get into a book when I am there. That is why my room is my favorite place to read.

By Catherine Reed

My favorite place to read is up in the tree in my back yard. I take a good book, something to drink, a candy bar, and an old pillow to the tree. Then I put the pillow behind me, put the drink on my leg, and save the candy bar for later. It's really quiet there and no one bothers me! Not even my little brother. Then when it's time to come in for dinner, I go in and eat. Then I take my book back out to the tree and read for a while longer. I go inside when I'm finished or when it starts to get dark.

By Michelle Bryan

I remember when Mrs. McMillan taught me how to read. At first, I thought I wasn't going to be able to read, because on television they were talking about how some adults didn't know how to read. I was afraid that I was going to have to take a program when I was older to learn how to read. Now I know how to read, and it's good for school when I need to do assignments. I like to read comic books, but I don't like reading long books. Now I read books with lots of stories in one book.

By Chris Barrows

I remember when Mrs. Hill taught me how to read. I was going to Clippard Elementary School in kindergarten. We started out with the letter "A". For each letter there would be a cartoon character with a letter on it. Everyday we would have a new letter. It was a great way to learn, because you had fun while doing it. Everyone enjoyed the characters such as Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, and many others. That's how I learned to read.

By Mara Coy

I remember when Mrs. Riehl, my first grade teacher taught us how to read. It was a mess! NO one knew how to read. So we started with how to pronounce our letters. But by the time we reached 3rd grade, I could read. It was a great feeling. I used to think what's it for, but now I know. I have a little brother and I read to him. Then in my spare time I like to read in my room because it's very quiet.

By Jamie Davis

I like to read for a lot of different reasons. I like to get information on things going on around me like music, art, sports, the world and the newest fads. Reading can teach you new stuff, inform you of daily happenings, and surprise you. Reading is also fun. My favorite author is R.L. Stine. Stine writes mysteries that are sometimes humorous and sometimes scary. My favorite thing to read is magazines. Magazines and newspapers give factual, often first hand stories and picture of what's going on and what went on. If you got your news and stories from TV, you wouldn't be able to imagine your own picture of the story. Reading can be a wonderful experience for people of all ages.

By Ryan Bollwerk

When I was little, I would always love the times my mother would read to me. My brother and I shared a room together. My mother had a little blue chair that she would sit in, which she'd put in between our two beds. We would go to our bookshelf and pick out a book. We would usually pick out "Mother Goose" and "The Berenstein Bears." At school we would pick out a book when it was library time, and when we came home from school, she would read it to us at night.

By Micah Harper

When I was little, I would always love the times my Mom would read to me. My favorite book was Green Eggs and Ham. I also liked The Berenstein Bears and Garfield books. As I've gotten older, I really don't read all that much. Now I read the newspaper and magazines. I remember when my first grade teacher taught me how to read. I was a slow learner, but I've got this far reading so I'm not going to stop. If I ever get the chance to thank my first grade teacher, I'd give her a big hug for pushing me so hard.

By Matthew Godsey

I remember when my Mom taught me how to read. I was home with the chicken pox in the first grade. She brought out some books and started reading to me while I was laying on the couch. A few days after that I began reading short sentences to her. After that I began to read better.

By Liz Hermann

My favorite authors are Stephen King and Christopher Pike. I love the horror and suspense of their books.

My favorite time to read is after everyone is asleep. It seems so real when you are alone.

My favorite book is Pet Semetary, by Stephen King.

I was first taught to read by my Mom, when I was four. Once I got into school, my first grade teacher, Mrs. Reimann, started helping me to read better.

If neither my Mom or Mrs. Reimann had taught me how to read, I don't think I'd be as far as I am today.

By Casie Urhahn

My favorite place to read is in my room on my nice and fluffy bed where it is quiet. I like to stack all my pillows and just lose myself in a book. I like to turn off my light and flip my touch lamp on high. then I just curl up in my bed and adventure to other places and into other worlds. I like to do this in the late evening after supper, so when I finish, I can just turn off my lamp and go to sleep. It's a wonderful way to have perfect dreams.

By Michael Revelle

My favorite place to read is outside on the porch where the sun is out. The blue sky has a couple of white clouds, and it is very quiet outside. There is nothing to do, nobody to talk to, and I'm all alone.

By Dwana Rhodes

I remember when my second grade teacher, Mrs. Woodward, was teaching me how to read. I was a slow learner, and I could only read a couple of words until the end of the year. She was really patient with me. One day she called on me to read, and I was embarrassed because I couldn't read. Well, thanks to Mrs. Woodward, I now read all the time.

By Tyson Suhre

My most favorite time to read is on a summer night. I like to read then because no one will bother me, and I don't have homework to do. Reading in the summer is good because I have nothing else to do and it's hot outside. I read on summer nights so if I'm reading a good book I can always get it done. That is my most favorite time to read.

By Gavin Selzer

I enjoy reading books by the author R.L. Stine. I enjoy his books because he unravels the plot in a very suspenseful manner. No matter how many time I think I'm sure of the criminal in his books, it's always someone different. My favorite books by R.L. Stine are Fall into Darkness and Silent Night.

By Margaret Clark

I like to read because I can just relax and not have to worry about school or my family. I like to read in my room at night before I go to sleep, because I think it helps me sleep better. I remember my Mom reading me "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss when I was four. I don't really have a favorite author, but I like John Grisham, R.L. Stine, and Micheal Crieton. To me, "Reading is the only way to live nine lives" means that whenever I read a book, I can go to different times and places, and I can live nine lives, even if they are only in my dreams.

By Laura Crump

Reading is the only way to live nine lives. To me that means that you can achieve a false state of immortality by reading books from far away or close by. By reading books you can transport your mind wherever you please. You can go from present to past or present to future in a matter of seconds with reading. With reading you can wrap your mind up in the people and places of any world or time. In a twisted way, books are a time machine for the human mind.

By Beth Bishop

My favorite place to read is lying on our lounge chair on the deck in the back of our house. I love to read there because it's quiet, and if I read inside I'll be distracted by other things going on in the house. Sometimes I will read an entire book and then rush through the back door and up to my room to get another book and keep on reading. Or, I'll start reading a book and the phone will ring, and I'll think only a few minutes have passed; but when I go inside, I realize I was so involved in the book that I had really been reading for hours. A book is something you can get lost in and there are millions to read so get out there and find one, and sit down or lie down, or stand up for that matter, and enjoy it.

By Amanda Peterman

I like to read because reading takes me places I've never been before. It takes me back in time. I can believe that I'm living out on a prairie in the 1800's, just having a picnic and relaxing in the afternoon sun. Or I could be hiking up a treacherous mountain. Books can even take you into the future. They can dive you in a sense of what it will be like in the year 2050. Maybe we'll be driving flying cars, or maybe students will be taking field trips to the moon. Books take you places that only the imagination has been to. That's why I like to read.