Me, By the Book

I have started this blog post five times over the past month. It's my first one. Ever. I feel like it's got to be amazing...something inspired and inspirational, words that are thought provoking and question the true existence of human life.

Why?

Why must it be this major life-altering experience for anyone who might read it? Well, because I read in someone else's blog that your first entry must be awesome. In their words, "write compelling content that will keep them talking." Wow. I'm not sure that's going to happen!

But, I'll try my best.

(Actually, I kind of consider this my second post, because I did the "About Me" first...which allowed me to cover the needed "who am I" stuff. So, now this one doesn't have to be quite as compelling! Phew! That's a relief!!)

I love books. I love the feeling of being drawn in to other people's lives in a way that you can feel their joy, pain, fear just by the words the author gives you. You can play that movie in your head any way you want to and make it your own unique experience. I particularly love children's and young adult novels. They give me insight into the different techniques kids use to solve problems and the crazy life situations that they can be in. This helps when trying to reach my own children as well as the students that I teach.

Currently, I am on a run of historical fiction, particularly stories that tell of living through World War II and the Holocaust. I just finished The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson, an autobiography of one of the youngest survivors on Schindler's List. The passion with which this boy lived his life and grew into adulthood amazed me. His struggles were like nothing I could have ever imagined, and the simple fact that he survived proved a willpower beyond most human comprehension.

But, even more, this book reminds me to be compassionate towards the children I see. They may be coming from situations that are beyond my comprehension, situations of pain and fear that they are struggling to merely survive through. A great reminder as I prepare to start a new school year.