A Letter to Rick Riordan

Dear Mr. Riordan,

I know you probably won't get to read this letter, since you have so many fans.  But I thought I'd share with you the impact that your books had in my own life. Unlike most of your readers, I am a little older than a child or teen.  I am now 28 years old, and when I first read a book of yours it was while I was teaching 7th grade. 

My first year teaching was anything but wonderful.  I had a hard, tough group of students.  I taught four class periods of Social Studies and one class period of Language Arts.  That school year, I was way past the "sink or swim" mentality.  By the time spring came around (around March 2008) I was in the "sinking, but still trying to fruitlessly swim" mode of teaching.  I had no desire to return to the teaching profession the next year and was despairing in the fact that I had gone to school for four years for the horrendous year I had.

I randomly had some last minute inspiration to do  Literature Circles with my students.  I don't know why or even how in the world I had motivation to do it, but I figured that since I only had one class period I had to prepare for, then I would be okay.  I headed off to our school's library to see if they had any good size sets of books for my students to choose from.  I really can't recall too many of the other books because my eyes were attracted to a golden colored paperback. 

I lifted it up, and read about this young man named Percy Jackson, and how he was a son of Poseidon.  It sounded interesting enough, that I went ahead and grabbed the books for a group of my students, among a few other titles, and I left. 

That weekend I went home and read The Sea of Monsters, quickly figuring out that it was not the first book in the series (which I usually hate doing).  I finished it though, completely entertained and amused by the book.  I went ahead and found the first and third books, and read those as well the next week. 

I was nervous about starting my literature circles study.  I didn't know how many students would want to read actual chapter books, since they were stuck reading short stories and poems for most of the school year, and they hated doing that even.  I tried to be enthusiastic as possible, and students grudgingly chose books.  I gave them their reading assignment for the day, and walked around monitoring my students.

After the first day, I was still undecided about whether this 'experiment' of mine would backfire or not. 

But then, a miracle happened. On the second day, and the day after that, it seemed like a change came over my students. The group of students that chose to read The Sea of Monsters were smiling and laughing aloud while reading it.  Some of them would stop, and discuss what Percy and Annabeth were saying.  Some of them would make fun of the way Tyson spoke (they're still 7th graders, right?)  And then, some of the other groups would watch and ask them about the book. 

And to my surprise, this group of five students reading The Sea of Monsters, were summarizing, and describing characters, and the setting; concepts that I had fruitlessly been trying to get them to do all year long.  They were giving glowing recommendations to this second book in the series.  I had so many of my students scowl at the books they were reading and ask if I had anymore copies of The Sea of Mosnters. 

My answer was "no, but you could try the library".  I also made sure to tell my class that the first book was actually called The Lightning Thief.  Day after day, I had more and more students bringing in the Percy Jackson books.  They would swap them with each other after they were done.  Eventually, I believe I had my whole class, at one point or another those last few months of school, read at least one of the Percy Jackson books. 

I found that the first three books were at the Scholastic Book Fair at our school, and I immediately told my students that if they were interested, they were only $5 each---a steal.  I wasn't expecting many kids to buy the books, since I taught in an impoverished area, but I was once again surprised by the enthusiasm exhibited by these students. Some of these kids even went out of their way to walk to the Super Wal-mart close by after school and buy the newly released The Battle of the Labyrinth.  

I think often about that school year, and the lows that I went through.  But I also remember how much my students loved reading your books.  That was a huge turning point in my life as an educator.  I remembered why I wanted to be a teacher to begin with.  I found the resolve to teach the next year, switching schools and districts and promising myself that my next year teaching would be a lot better.  And it was.  I taught two more years (this time all of my classes were Reading/English) until I had my first son and made the decision to stay at home with him.

I can't thank you enough for writing books for children and teens.  The way you write speaks to so many kids these days. Whenever a student came up to me, and told me that they "hated" reading, I would point them to The Lightning Thief.  And more often than not, your books would help cure them of their hatred for reading.  The hard part was finding them another series of books that they would like as much as your books after they were done! 

So many of these students that I taught had a hard life at home, with school as their one escape.  And, by finding the Percy Jackson books, they were able to find another way to escape through the wonderful world of literature.  And as a former teacher (and a current teacher of my own children), I can't describe to you how much I love and appreciate what you have done in your writing.   I often hope and pray that those students of mine were changed for the better by being in my class, and a lot of that is thanks to you. 

Thank you, Mr. Riordan.  Not only have you inspired many children and teens to read, but you also inspired one young, naive teacher to keep moving forward with her chosen profession as an educator.   I look forward to the new books you write and rereading all of your other books with my sons as they grow up. 

Day 14: Favorite book by favorite author

I think the question is "What book don't I like by Roald Dahl?"

Well, I think that my favorite book is a toss up between The Witches, The Twits, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes.  I like all of the books that I've read by him, and I still need to read a few more, but let's say The Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

I was first introduced to the story of Charlie Bucket when I was watching the movie Willy Wonka (you know, that classic one from the 70s).  My sisters and I really enjoyed it, and then I had figured out that it was a book (probably in 2nd or 3rd grade) and I devoured it.  I loved the book and the story.  And I loved candy... Maybe that was part of it as well.  I love how the main children (besides Charlie) are all products of indulgent parenting.  Even though Charlie was a poor kid, he was still happy because he had his family and it made him humble, and not so stupid.

And The Twits.  I just remember that when I read this story that one of the things that I read was that if people are mean and have ugly thoughts it will make them ugly.  And that's what happened to the twits.  It really was an amazing concept for me to understand when I read it (again sometime in elementary school). 

Day 13: Your favorite writer

For children's books, there really was no contest on this one.  Well, maybe a little bit.  I really like JK Rowling.  And Rick Riordan.  And Katherine Paterson (so underrated).

But my favorite writer of children's books is without a doubt, Roald Dahl.  I loved his books when I was younger, and to this day, I still enjoy reading his books, and I hope that my sons will enjoy reading his books as well.

I love that the way Dahl wrote brought so much creativity, imagination and magic to kids.  He had a wonderful sense of humor with the way that he wrote, and I really loved the books because they were so funny when I was younger.  I feel like they are definitely geared to children, but the young at heart would enjoy his books as well.

And he has so many wonderful things to say about the importance of children being children and using their imaginations.  LOVE this author, and I hope that I can get all of his books collected one day. 

Day 12: A book you used to love, but don't anymore

The Outsiders by SE Hinton

I really loved this book when I read it  (8th grade).  But I never had any desire to read it again.  The older I got, the less sad endings I like.  BUT, I feel like this is a book that all middle schoolers should read.  I won't read it again, but it is an excellent book. If this was in the grown-up books or classics category, the book would be Wuthering Heights. 

Day 11: A book you hated

This, I think, kind of goes under the most overrated books.  Oh well.  A book I hated.  Well, let's just say that I am the type of person, that if I can't make it through the book, there's a good chance I am going to "hate" it.  

That being said, there is only one book I can recall reading all the way through when I was younger, and I had no desire at all to read it again.  That book is:  From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  

I don't recall much of the story, except I read it in 5th grade and I did not like it at all.  And, I have had no desire since reading it, to pick it up again.  So, that's the end of that.  :) 

Day 10: Favorite classic book

Ugh.. I haven't read most children's classic books, but there does come to mind one book in particular.

 
Winnie-The-Pooh by AA Milne.  I love this collection of stories.  My mom has a bunch of classic Winnie-the-Pooh collectibles, and among those are a treasury of stories by A.A. Milne.  I just love how this stuffed bear comes to life because of the love Christopher Robin has for him.  A definite "classic".  

Day 9: A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 The crown prince's bride will come from Mt. Eskel, the small mountain village where Miri (dainty, petite and 14) lives with her widower father and sister.  Miri is too small and frail to work in the quarries, so she feels as though she doesn't help out much. 

In order for the crown prince to choose a bride, many of the girls are to attend an academy in order to learn to be a princess.  And Miri learns many, many things about herself and how she, in her own way, can help her family. 

Okay... seriously.  Where do I even begin with this book?  I was teaching 7th grade, and my mom, who is a former elementary school librarian/media person, called and told me she had gone to a book fair and bought some books for my classroom library. 

I was pretty excited, and when she mentioned this title, we discussed it and said it was probably good chick lit so that way the girls would want to read some of the books that I had. 

Seriously, though, I was blown out of the water with this book.  When I hear "Princess", in any phrase, I think Disney, and well, this was not Disney.  The teacher of the academy was a strict, witchy lady who looked down on the girls for their lack of education.  And Miri manages to learn so much about herself.  She doesn't want to end up with the prince, but she wants to be the top of the class to prove she can.  And in the very end, Miri not only helps save the academy from some terrible people (bandits), but she also manages to help save her village and nab the guy that she has liked for a long while.  This girl knows how to get it done!   This book completely surprised me.  I didn't think that I would like it, but I tried it, and well, I am happy to say that it's a book that I would recommend to all my students to read (especially the girls).