WRITING ABOUT READING; YOUNGSTERS AIR THEIR FEELINGS ON FAVORTITE AUTHORS AND WHAT LIFE WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT BOOKS

Thanks to L.J. Schultz School 7th graders and North Elementary 5th graders for their essay contributions.

Alison Eaton

How would my life be different if I could not read?

If I couldn't read, my life would be very difficult. If I was in school and the teacher assigned me homework, I couldn't do it because I could not read. I could not drive because I could not read the signs. I would not be able to order off of a menu because I couldn't read. See how important reading is?

Casey L. Brennan

"The person who does not want to read is no better off than the person who cannot read." This statement to me means that why bother to learn to read if you don't want to read. Being illiterate is not a privilege, it is a problem that some people still have today. Reading is so important to the society today that without it one could hardly survive in the average commotion of the day.

Sara Sprigg

What would the world be like if no one could read? Pretty bad. Telephones would be the only communication. There would be no mail or letters. Publisher's Clearing House would be out of business. David Letterman would have no cue cards or top ten lists. The hearing impaired would be out of luck. Those are just a few things, but how would you feel if you couldn't read? Some people know. Being literate is a wonderful thing. If you know someone who is illiterate, tell them about what you've read. They won't get a paper because they can't read it.

Jessica Sloan

Judy Blume is my favorite author because she has very funny and very nice titles. She is also a very imaginative woman. My favorite book is also written by her. It is called "Superfudge." Superfudge is very funny in that book. I think Judy Blume also knows how to name her characters in her books. I also like it because it has a very funny ending.

Terri S. Wright

My favorite book when I was little was "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The reason why it was my favorite was because once before when we had gone to the zoo I saw all those bears and they looked so cute. I wanted to pet the polar bears and my mom said I couldn't because they bite and I started crying. I also like it because it's a fancy book. My mom read the book to me.

Ishmeal Blackmon

If I had a gift certificate I would buy "Strange Stories of the Supernatural" and "Goosebumps" because they both are scary. "Strange Stories of the Supernatural" has five spine-chilling tales to read about, and also "Strange Stories of the Supernatural" and "Goosebumps" are scholastic. They don't cost very much either. So if I had a gift certificate I would get "Supernatural" and R.L. Stine's "Goosbumps." Sometimes it really gives you a slight scare. So if you get a gift certificate be sure to look for the scariest books in the store, like "Goosebumps" and "Supernatural" because it will give you a thrilling chill to think about at midnight. So if you ever get a gift certificate be sure to use it carefully.

Jason Kopf

If I had a gift certificate to spend at the book store, I would buy novels because I think adult books are exciting to read.

One thing I think reading novels has helped me do is to expand my vocabulary. I have never heard of some of the words they have in the books.

The books I have read are "Jurassic Park," "Congo," "The Client" and "The Pelican Brief." I am currently reading "Apollo 13."

Wendy Beth Stott

When I was young, one of my favorite things to do was visit the library with my mom.

I remember as soon as I was in the door, I would dash to the Children's Section and frantically look for one of my favorite chain of books, "Winnie the Pooh." I always loved Winnie the Pooh because since my name is Wendy, I would pretend it was me in the book.

After a while, I loved Winnie the Pooh so much that he became my imaginary friend. He was with me everywhere I went. He would protect me from mean dogs and comfort me when I was lonely.

Winnie isn't with me anymore. He's moved on to help another boy/girl. But I know his spirit will always be in my heart.

M. Melody Mayer

Surrounded in a school classroom of 25 students who are all reading silently is terrifying! You look at your book and open it. You flip through the pages of the book, trying to look as though you are just looking for the story. You start to breathe heavily and sweat. Your heart starts to race. You just can't stand it anymore! It's making you panic every time you see a book, newspaper, word or letters. You have a very dangerous disease, a disease that will always affect you. The disease is being illiterate.

Being illiterate is like being blind. You are living in an isolated world of darkness. Then you feel sorry and sad that you never learned to read or write. That you never cared and thought you never would. Well, times have changed my friend. As we approach the 21st century, it's harder to live without knowing how to read, almost impossible! It's people like this that we need to help, to encourage, to teach them how to read. No matter what your age, you can assist a loved one or a friend to begin their journey to become literate. They shouldn't be ashamed, for the longer they wait the more difficult it will be.

Being literate is a gift you give to yourself for life. You can use it as a vessel to travel to realms beyond this one.

Bret McNabb

I can remember, when I was 5 years old, learning how to read. It was the first week of kindergarten. My teacher worked with me and my classmates everyday. Each day I could read a little more and a little more and by the end of the week I could read. At home I told my mom and dad I could read. Of course, they didn't believe me. So my mom said, "OK then, read this book to me." She handed me a book, and I read it. They just stood there, mouths wide open. Mom said, "You can read!" Then she gave me a big hug and sent me off to play.

Andrea Hazlett

An early memory I have about reading is Disney. Disney brought magic to life. My favorite book was "Sleeping Beauty." "Gold of Sunshine in her hair and lips, that shade the red, red rose." She was a little girl's dream. I like to play dress up, and wouldn't you have guessed it, I was always Sleeping Beauty. The three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merrywether, were really funny. Then there was the evil fairy, Malificent. She was very, very mean. And of course, there was the hero, Prince Phillip. With his love and courage, he saved Sleeping Beauty. That was my favorite part because I knew that someday my prince would come and I would be just like Sleeping Beauty.

Sarah Brown

Our society would not be as high-tech as it is if we couldn't read. We would not be able to communicate with other people as efficiently. For example, directions help us put together and take things apart. Scientific journals allow scientists to share ideas to speed up the progress of technology. Without books, everybody would just see things from their point of view. Nobody would be able to read about what was happening in different places. Besides the effect on technology, the world would be much duller. Nobody would be able to enjoy a thriller or suspenseful mystery. One wouldn't be able to experience the fear of a shootout in the Old West, or the excitement of landing on the moon. Not being able to read would take away a very enjoyable pastime.

Jay Buerck

If I had a gift certificate to my favorite book store, I'd buy baseball books or other sports-related books or magazines. I like to read these books or magazines because I like to learn what the latest trade or standings are, even statistics. If I don't find them in books, I read it in a magazine such as Sports Illustrated. Every month I get Sports Illustrated for Kids; it's like a version of SI, but for kids. I read these over and over again, seeing if I missed something. So that's what I'd do with a gift certificate.

Rebecca Keller

An early memory I have about reading is when I was really little my mom and my brother and I would all sit on the couch and pick out a book. Then, we would sit and stare at the pictures, while my mom read the words. Pretty soon I memorized all the words to the books and would read aloud with my mom. I really looked forward to that time, and I think that it helped me to become a very good reader.

Tian Zhang

An early memory I have about reading is learning to read from "A Bird's Best Friend."

I remember that I used to take it out and listen to the tape that went along with it. Before I knew it, I was learning to read.

After a few years, my reading improved so much I could read the books that my mom reads. Thanks to "A Bird's Best Friend," I started my lifetime of reading.

Mary Beth Owen

Do you know what our lives would be like if we didn't know how to read? Our lives would be so different. What would you be doing right now? You wouldn't be at school, and you sure wouldn't be reading a book. How would people communicate with others? If people couldn't read there probably wouldn't be televisions, phones, radios or even cars, because no one would know how to make them. I don't know about you, but I sure am glad I know how to read.

Jill Roddy

I think that the world would be very dull and boring if there were no books. Some reasons that lead me to believe this are that all people would do all day is watch TV, play video games and sit around. We wouldn't have books in school to learn from. Some examples of books are dictionaries, encyclopedias, science books, math books, English books, and the Bible.

Also, reading books helps expand our minds. Without books it would be harder for us to learn, which could reflect on what kind of job we end up doing. As you can see, books can help our future in a very good way.

Annie Meagle

One of my earliest memories of books is when I was about four years old. My dad used to read to me every night. I would choose what books we would read. Almost every night I would choose "The Store Bought Doll." That was my absolute favorite book. This particular book was one of those Little Golden books, the books with the gold on the edge of them. We read that book every night of every month of every year of the first part of my life. Well, just the other day I found that book. I picked it up and noticed something. The gold part was worn away in many spots. I guess that shows how much the book was read.

Lindsay Landgraf

Once long ago, or at least it seems like long ago, I got introduced to books. I hated the idea of sitting still long enough to even look at a page. Finally a certain kind of book caught my eye, or at least the picture did. It was "Lady and the Tramp." It was so neat to see two dogs carrying on a conversation just as we do. My favorite part is when Tramp takes Lady to eat, and they have spaghetti. Each one grabs the same strand of noodle, and well you know what happened. They kissed! (How romantic!) I always thought it was the biggest deal to see people kiss, especially dogs. So that is how it all began with books and still today I love to read.

Jimmy McCormack

I think you should read "The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks. You will like it because it is both interesting and exciting. You will like the book because the Indian has to get a key from a pet rat that escaped and is under the floor. He could be eaten.

Omri told Patrick his secret. They found that having live toys isn't always fun. It was a big responsibility. Since the toys were still small, they met a lot of dangers.

To find out about more adventures and meet new characters you should read "The Indian in the Cupboard."

Caitlin McCuan

I recommend a book named "Little House on the Prairie" by Laura Ingals Wilder. I think you will like this book because it tells children about what it would be like to live back in the pioneer days. You will also like it because it has real life problems about what it was like for children then.

Zach Koeppel

"Dracula" is a book I read recently. this book was written by a famous author, Bram Stoker. I really enjoyed the book, and I believe you would also. One reason you may want to read this book is because it is suppose to be a true story. But, no one can say if he really was a vampire or not. I'm not sure if girls would enjoy this book, however some may. I think most boys will love it because of all the wolves, ghosts and vampires. If you take time to read "Dracula" I hope you like it too.

Heather Tuschhoff

I recommend a book called "Wayside School Is Falling Down" by Louis Sachar. I think you and other children will like this book because it's hilarious. It's just plain crazy. You will think that it is real exciting. For instance, the time a girl named Bebe wrote things about her teacher Mrs. Jewls. Then she blamed it on her little brother, and she didn't even have a little brother. The pictures describe the book very well. All in all this book is like no other.

Jennifer Kasten

I think you will enjoy "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" by Louis Sachar. Because it keeps you interested from start to finish. You'll find out that Louis Sachar thinks up some of the weirdest things so that you can't keep your hands off the book. For example, the art work, words and characters go together to make a spectacular book.

Erin Hyden

I recommend "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls because it tells a funny story. Although it has no pictures to look at, I think you will still like it because the book is so descriptive. If you want to read this book, I am sure it will be found in a library near you. And another thing: It has a happy ending.

Laura Bricknell

The best book that you'll ever read is "The Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell. One reason why I think you should read the book is that it made me feel like I was in the book with the character. The second reason is the character in the book described things in an interesting way. I also think other kids should read it because you don't know what will happen next.

Sarah Lichtenegger

My favorite book is "Baby Sitters Little Sister: Karen's Birthday" by Ann Martin.

I think you will enjoy this book because it has real-life problems. It helps you understand about parents being divorced. If you like this book, there are more great books you can read by Ann Martin.

Nathan Mowery

I am sure you will like "Game Breakers of the NFL" by Bill Cutman because it tells about seven of the old NFL players. THe seven players are: Alan Page, George Blanda, Larry Little, Jim Plunkett, Jan Stenerud, Bruce Taylor and Willie Lanier. I think you will like the book because of all the good plays. I believe Alan Page is the best of the seven players. It also tells about how the players got started.

Becky Moyers

I think you will like to read "The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Blanks, if you like cowboys and Indians. Boys would like the book best but girls would like it too. This book is terrific. I actually think this will be the best book you have ever read.

Michael Bricknell

The book "One Day at Horrorland" by R.L. Stine is a good book to read anytime, anywhere and any day. Each chapter keeps you in suspense. Every weird ride offers it's own surprises. Also, on every ride they have a close escape. Even if you do not like to read, this book will keep you on your toes. If you like horror books, "Horrorland" is a good book.

Joseph Golightly

I think you should read "Monster Blood" by R.L. Stine. It is a wonderful story that is thrilling and exciting, too. It is funny and weird. I hope that you take the time to read this book because you will be saying, That book is awesome.

Jay Jackson.

A book that you will enjoy is "All About Basketball" by George Sullivan. I think you will like this book because it talks about may different basketball stars. Here are some of the famous basketball stars in the book: Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaq, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I think girls will like it too, because it has some girls playing basketball.