It took a letter from the principal and some serious selling on my part to get an educator card from Barnes & Noble. I think the fact I’m in there so much helped my case. I was there to buy a book for a student. One book. I left with more than one book, as you can see.
This week I experienced what I think will be one of the top 10 moments of my life. Those of you who know me in real life have already heard this story (several times) so now is the time for you to check twitter or Facebook. The rest of you: prepare for gushing.
There are several students who aren’t strong readers for various reasons. Some hide it, some don’t. One 7th grader told me at the beginning of the year that he didn’t like books or reading, so there was no point in him checking out a book. Bless his little heart; he had no idea who he was up against.
I may be a naive optimist, but I truly believe there is a book for every kid. I also believe that the job of an elementary school librarian/media specialist (even a volunteer like me) is to find that book, and I’m not going to find it shelving books or sitting behind a desk stamping cards. It’s taken me months, but I’ve learned the likes and dislikes of most of the kids in 1st through 7th grade by talking to them about anything and everything. I have a pretty good idea of their hobbies, what they watch on TV, and their favorite subjects. I know who most of the girls have a crush on and which boys are utterly, totally clueless when it comes to girls. <----Most of them. Getting to know the kids has made everything easier. When a second grader turned in a Puppy Place book, I put it to the side for J. in 1st grade because he loves dogs. E. is in The Nutcracker every year, so I put Portraits to the side when I found it one day while dusting the shelves. If you casually mention someone’s crush really liked a book, that book is as good as checked out.
It took me months of failed attempts, unread books, and casual conversations to figure out this boy liked goofy, funny plots in books and movies. Slowly, I started finding books and putting them to the side for him. Three weeks ago, a parent donated a box of books, all of them awesome. James Patterson’s Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life was in the pile. I immediately put it to the side for him and that week convinced him to give it a try. He did, grudgingly. The next week he came into library and asked to check the book out again because he wasn’t finished. I may have started clapping and squealing. He may have rolled his eyes and turned red. And smiled.
The week after that, he walked in and told me he finished the book, and that it was the first book he has ever read that wasn’t part of an assignment. I’m not sure how true that is because I think he’s read the Wimpy Kid series, but that’s what he claimed and even so it doesn’t really matter because I was so happy and so proud of him that I immediately started squealing and clapping (again) and ran over to him and gave him a huge side-hug, breaking my own (the school’s, really) “no hugging the older boys” rule. He turned a million shades of red, but it was a happy red, and I wish you could have seen the look of pride on his face. He glowed. He even let me take his picture, and he hates taking pictures. I told him every five minutes that I was so, so, so incredibly proud of him; that I knew he could do it; that he has always been a great reader and just needed to find his book; that he would always remember that book; and did he realize what an amazing thing he did? I was so flooded with emotion that I almost started crying. I, the woman who never cries, got stingy eyes over a 7th grade boy reading a book. I blame Buster and my 40s.
I showed him the small pile of funny books I found (how I wish I had an electronic catalog I could search!) and he checked out a book just like that.
At the end of class, as they were all walking out, I pulled him aside and held him at arm’s length by both shoulders. He stood there looking down at me–yes, I was wearing heels–with his books held out in front of him, already turning red, already smiling. “You understand how proud I am of you, right? And how wonderful I think you are, no matter what you do or don’t read, right?”
“Yes, Mrs. Kendall.” Eye roll. Shoulder shrug. Foot scuff. Blush. Smile.
“Good,” I said. “See you next week.”
Those moments diminish all the challenges, right? We are big fans of that Patterson series. Those kiddos are fortunate to have a person like you in the library. You have passion.
I do have passion, that’s for sure. I was so nervous at the beginning of the year, worried I wouldn’t connect with the kids. The opposite has happened. I’m probably too attached, honestly!
love love love this. my favorite thing of all time is giving kids books i know they will love!!
It’s a great feeling to do something good for someone else.
*weep*. You are wonderful.
I think the kids are, and they bring out the best in me.
Well, for crying out loud, Jules! Make me cry on a Friday morning . . . that seems a little below the belt.
:)
Hahahaha! That made me laugh out loud!!
And you have just nailed the reason I will never be really satisfied with my library job. I have no kid contact. None. Good on you, Jules. Good on you.
Yes, I’ve been thinking about it, and I believe it’s the interaction with the kids I love so much. I get it now, why teachers become teachers.
And you know you changed that kid’s life, right? Bravo. :c)
I hope so! Wouldn’t it be hilarious if he was just telling me he read the book to be nice? O_o I don’t think so, though, because he really was so proud.
You are adorable. And those kids are crazy lucky to have you looking out for them. What else is there to say?!
Thanks, Nicole. I think you meant to say I’m adorkable. ;)
Ok now I’m practically happy-crying over here at my desk. Well done, you.
Thanks, Ris. I’m so happy working with those kids.
That young man will remember that day forever. I teach American-born, US “educated” adults to read and how I wish each one of them had met someone like you so many years ago! Until they came to our class, my students, ages 27 to 85, have never, ever had a teacher tell them “I’m proud of you” or even “Good for you.” What a difference that would have made. Good job, Jules!
My husband isn’t a reader–he’s much like that boy in 7th grade–and he often says that he wished he had someone tell him that it’s okay to have trouble reading. I think the problem is that passionate readers have trouble understanding people who aren’t as passionate. They tend to focus on the ones who share their interests, and the ones who need the most attention get left out.
Oh man!
I just put my makeup on and now I am all teary and smeary. You are such a gift to the children and their future. I love to see children catching the reading bug. Way to go !
It’s so amazing to watch. Mikey is a reader, Nico isn’t…yet. For him it’s a confidence issue. He doesn’t like to do something unless he can do it perfectly. He reads way below his level if given the choice. Mikey is the opposite–he assumes he can do anything, and do it perfectly. He’s always shocked when he can’t. I need a middle child! :)
There aren’t very many of us who can know that we have changed a child’s life and can point to the moment (or series of moments). I am so proud to “know” you. Someday that boy is going to be a man, reading to his children and to himself, and remembering that book and the woman who handed it to him.
I hope so. I really, really hope so.
You ROCK, Jules!!!
Thanks. It’s pretty easy to do when you love what you’re doing. The accolades should go to the people who have to work jobs they hate. (That was my husband two jobs ago.)
Jules? You are the best. Period.
Oh, and P.S. I’m glad I’m not the only one that B&N gives a hard time to. I’ll get a coveted educator card…just you wait and see!
What is up with that?! I told them the situation and, I’m telling you, I had to whip out my former attorney charm skillz. They say they get a ton of people who use the card for personal use. WHY? It’s 20%. A regular card is 10%, which means on average you’re saving, like, maybe and additional $1.50. People need to bone up on remedial math. Dumb.
“did he realize what an amazing thing he did?”
We could ask you the same, thing Jules. :)
What’s amazing is that I wear heels and everyone is still taller than me.
Lol!
Ahahaha!
Wow – you are my hero! I wish every school could have someone like you encouraging kids to read – it is such a fundamental and important skill. You are making a difference. Love hearing about your successes!
I would love to think I’m making a difference. I really hope I am.
I teach middle school. I get it.
You completely ROCK.
Thank you!! :)
Bravo Jules!! This story didn’t make me cry, but it did put a big ol’ smile on my face! It is because of people like you that make this world a better place!
Haha! Thanks, Beverly. :)
As the mother of a 3rd grade boy who “doesn’t like to read”, I applaud you for your persistence! I wish my son had someone like you in his life (that’s not his parent) to challenge him, push him and encourage him. You’ve made an amazing impact on that boy’s life forever and probably his Mom’s too. Well done!
Thank you! My Nico isn’t much of a reader. I’ll find the right book for him. So far, Fly Guy has been okay.
I teach intensive reading programs to children who either have learning disabilities or are just struggling to read. So many students come to me afraid to even touch a book. After each lesson I read a book, from a variety that are chosen based on what I think they will like. We read one daily. Then when we read those I return them and get new ones. Now, they come in and say “Yay! New Books!” Instilling a love of reading, no matter what it is being read is important. I am PROUD of YOU for knowing that, not shying away from it, and making this boy feel good about himself.
Kristy :)
http://www.journeyintomotherhood.ca
I love this and emailed you, thank you.
Such a happy, happy story!! I LOVE your library updates and posts.
If I could, I’d write about the library every day! :)
And we would love that!
Don’t give me any ideas, Susan. :)
Cannot even tell you how happy this made me! Congrats on changing someone’s world in such a positive way! We need more people like you in the schools!!
Thank you. We need to pay teachers more, put more money towards education, quit cutting programs…don’t get me started. And, people need to do what they love versus what will pay them more. <----Personal experience, right there.
True story. And I could go on and on as well
Well done! You observed, listened, and didn’t give up. What a gift you gave him!
When I was first a upper elementary teacher, before I had my own kids, telling students I was proud of them didn’t come naturally. And weren’t they a little old for that? No they weren’t! Later, when I felt proud of a student, I made sure to express it.
You are the Dominator of that school’s library!
I would totally TOTALLY have been as excited had I been in your shoes. It breaks my heart when kids talk about hating to read. What?! HOW?! But how lucky is your library to have you there with your extra zeal? Sounds like you really have found your niche.
Thank you for the recommendation “The Day the Crayons Quit”. I bought it for my granddaughter for Christmas and my daughter read it to her 2nd grade class and the teacher was so impressed by it and the kids loved it!
Jule, you are so inspiring and authentic. Thanks for letting us read you! You are the Dominator of the library.
I love that book. There is some controversy with the peach crayon being peach, but I’ve decided to let that go and teach diversity acceptance by example.
All I can say is YOU. ARE. AWESOME. If all our kids could have educators like you in their schools, our country would be a much better place. Thanks for sharing this…it gives me hope on many different levels.
THIS is why I teach. That moment of Aha! They
got it!, whether it be the book that pulls
Them in, the concept that escaped them for so
Long, that glorious moment of “I get it!”. It’s fabulous, isn’t it. One of my
Boys last year struggled when he had to write, anything. By the end
Of the year my 5 paragraph required story was turned in as an 8 page story
With an illustrated cover. He was beaming and I was over the moon proud of him!
Thanks for this post. I still volunteer for library (and art and computers and photocopying — Catholic schools run on volunteers, right?). I love doing it and helping kids find books even though I’m not the librarian.
Do you have any recs on great picture books for kindergarteners? I’m running through our personal library pretty quickly for things to read to my son’s class during my turns to read to the class. They love Pete the Cat and Lego readers, but I’m always looking to add new stuff to my collection.
When my children were young I relied heavily on Chinaberry for recommendations. Back then it was by reading their printed catalogue but there is a website now. The staff reviews every book in great detail, and have the books grouped by age level. Over the years I ordered many books from them and never felt they had steered me wrong.
This is great. Thanks, Susan. And what do I see when I jump on that site? “Beautiful Oops.” What an amazing book! Bought for the library: done and done. :)
Love. LOVE Beautiful Oops!
I don’t get to read to kindergarteners, but this is what the 1st graders have liked.
Dragons Don’t Like Tacos
One, by Kathryn Otoshi (AMAZING BOOK!)
The Day the Crayons Quit
The Snatchabook (holy cow, you could here a pin drop when I read this!)
Fall Ball made them laugh out loud
Little Blue Truck (combines animals and trucks, always big draws)
I just bought Beautiful Oops! and I can’t wait to read it to them. Ish, The Dot, Press Here are other books recommended to me by readers. I hope that helps!
Can you nip over to the UK and help me find a book that my 15 year old will read?
I inhaled books as a child/teen and my other 2 children read constantly. My husband doesn’t (and never has, although I have found him one book he did really enjoy. The only time he ever said ‘just hang on until I finish this chapter’. The Paradise War by Stephen Lawhead, btw).
Anyway, I blame his genes, because I’ve tried everything. She had lots of books as a child, we read together, books were treats and presents etc etc. And then she just stopped. I’ve tried trashy books about celebrities she likes, books I liked at her age, books by modern authors and it’s like getting blood from a stone.
My latest hope is a book by a lovely author who lives locally. It’s a short book in a series aimed at dyslexic and reluctant readers. And it has her name in the title. I’ve got it signed by the author and I’m going to tell her she has to give feedback about it….
I’m no expert, but perhaps giving her some space and not pushing books at her for a little while might help? I could be misunderstanding the situation, but your last sentence made it sound almost like an (unofficial) assignment. Assignments aren’t fun.
If you’ve tried everything else, maybe it’s time to stop trying, just for a little while�enough to give both of you a break. Maybe you can use the time to think through new ideas to try later, after she’s matured a little more. And she might feel refreshed and ready to try your ideas without reluctance if she doesn’t feel constantly pressured.
I love reading, but I hate math. If someone who loved math kept pushing math at me, I would grow to hate it more. And in fact, thanks to school, I did. It’s only now that I’ve been out of school for a number of years and no longer have daily assignments and weekly tests that I’m starting to not mind it so much anymore.
I just wondered if perhaps she is feeling the same kind of stress that I did at that age every time an unpleasant task was pushed on me by someone who loved it. But again, I may be misunderstanding what you said. You know your daughter best.
I understand how you feel, Hazel. When you love something so much, and it brings you so much joy (and makes life easier, and is good for your brain!) you want everyone you care about to feel the same way. My husband is not, and most likely never will be, a reader. He was the boy in 7th grade who read only for assignments, and to this day reading isn’t easy for him. He does not, under any circumstances, want that future for Mikey or Nico. He has seen how much easier the everyday/school it is for natural readers. I’m going to check out “The Paradise War” and see if it’s something he might like. The only book he really loved and stayed up late reading was “The Outsiders” a year or two ago. Then we watched the movie together. That was a lot of fun!
One quick thing before I start dispensing unsolicited amateur advice: don’t lose hope, and consider what April is saying about a temporary break in your (very admirable) efforts. My mother in-law didn’t like reading and actually resented it because her mother loved it so much. Then, one day as an adult, she read a romance to pass the time. She fell in love with reading. FELL IN LOVE. Books–what they were reading, favorites, etc.–became the topic of conversation between her and her mother, and it’s one of the things she misses the most about her now that she’s gone. Some days she’ll read a book and think about how her mom would love it/wish she could tell her about it, etc. My niece, almost 14, hated reading and only read when there was an assignment. My sil tried everything, but nothing worked. Then, just like my mil, one day my niece picked up a book and started reading. Now she loves it, but is very, very particular about what she reads.
Unsolicited advice time! :)
What does your daughter like to do? Dance? Art? Video games? That’s where I would start. When I found out the boy in my class loved Caddyshack, I knew I was never going to sell him on The Lord of the Rings. I did recommend he watch Tommy Boy, though. :) Lots of kids these days like graphic novels. Have you tried those? John Green is popular, and he has that youtube channel that is insane. I would see where her interests outside reading lay, and then see if there are books that complement that. For example, if she likes celebrity stuff, there is fan fiction on sites like Wattpad about celebrities. Lots of girls writing about One Direction, Vampire Diaries, etc. Yeah, some of it is dumb and not the best writing out there, but some of the authors are actually quite good. And, she’d be reading, and reading is generally like a rolling stone. First she needs to get started, and then pick up speed and eventually she’ll move on and become more discerning as she narrows her likes/dislikes. For example, as a kid I loved romances. I read ALL OF THEM. Then, I started getting pickier about plots and authors and developed favorite tropes, periods, writing styles, etc. Now, I rarely read romances because I’ve become so particular about what I like.
I’m pretty liberal about what people read. If it gets them reading, I don’t really care what it is unless it promotes something horrible, like child abuse/racism, etc.
God, you are the best unpaid volunteer librarian in the world.
The world (and children) needs more people like you, my friend.