The Median Sib

As part of my job as a reading specialist, I administer the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) to many children. At the end of the test there are several items that are used to determine a child’s attitude towards reading. One of the items is “Tell me what you like best about reading.” As I administer the assessment, my job is to write down exactly what the child says in reply.

I’ve given this test hundreds of time, and the responses are usually along the lines of: “It’s fun,” “Some books make me laugh,” or “I like the adventures.” However, the other day I got responses from two different third grade children that just blew me away. Maybe they made such an impression on me because they’re the reasons I enjoy reading so much. Here are their responses - word for word since that’s how I had to record them:

“It takes me right into the book and I pretend I’m in the story. Like Alice in Wonderland - that really takes me into the story!”

“It’s like I’m in a different world.”

Those two children GET what reading is all about.

I wrote a few days ago that I was mid-way through reading A MILLION LITTLE PIECES by James Frey. (Click HERE to read the previous post). I finished it this morning. Wow! What an incredible story. I have only one issue with the book: Throughout all the horrors he faced, he paints himself as quite the tough, fearless and resolute rebel - with no need for the tried and true methods of drug rehab. There were times as I was reading that I thought, “No way! He couldn’t have really done that!” or “That’s not realistic!” But I know nothing of the world of drug addicts and rehab, and so I can’t make any judgements about it. Regardless of how closely his description of the events follow the reality, it is still a fascinating book. At the end, he tells what has happened to the various people in the story since the end of his six weeks in rehab. Reading that one page alone is enough to stop you in your tracks. Despite its language and sexual content (both of which are graphic), I think it should be required reading for high school students. It would make them think seriously about the consequences of alcohol and drug use. There is nothing glamorous or exciting about the absolute depths of despair and depravity that he experienced because of his addiction to both alcohol and drugs. If you want a book that will hold you spellbound, will both horrify you and, strangely enough, uplift you, I would recommend A MILLION LITTLE PIECES.

This morning, in an open AOL poll asking the question “Did President Bush deliberately mislead the public on Iraq?” 64% of the respondants answered “yes.” Since the poll included only the people who chose to participate, the numbers aren’t necessarily representative of the American population. However, I believe they’re at least indicative of a general public trend. The results are disturbing. Have so many Americans bought into the anti-American rhetoric of both the democrats and the mainstream press? Have they forgotten that most of the democrats that are now calling Bush a liar are also the ones that read the same intelligence and came to the same conclusions about WMD and the need to go to war in Iraq? Do they not realize that it is the anti-Bush, anti-war factions that are causing more death to our soldiers and are fueling the interests of the terrorists? And can’t the American people see the blatant self-interested, opportunistic nature of the democrats and the press?

In Reasoned Audacity, Charmaine Yoest points out the ridiculous, but not surprising, call by Barbra Streisand for Bush’s impeachment. Charmaine also provides a link to a post by The Anchoress which contains pre-war quotes from Clinton and others about the WMD in Iraq and the necessity of ending the threat that Iraq and Islamic terrorists pose to the world. These quotes and opinions are never mentioned in the news. The mainstream news is biased and left-wing. It would be amusing if so many people didn’t swallow their bait - hook, link and sinker.

I admire George Bush for standing strong in the face of such overwhelming opposition in the press. He was given a mandate by the people of the United States in 2001 and 2002, and he has stood by his word. He is a man of truth, character and perseverance, and I trust him far more than the ones who don’t hesitate to jeopardize our soldiers’ safety - and ultimately America’s safety - in order to further their self-interests and political agendas.

Today is my little sister’s birthday. Debi is two years younger than I am. We were very close growing up, and were sometimes quite mean to our younger sister, Beth, when we’d exclude her from our play. I’ve included two pictures of Debi above - well, two pictures of Beth, too, although her birthday isn’t until next month. (Maybe this post will do for both of them?) Photo # 1 is Beth, Carol, and Debi building sand castles on the beach in Florida. Notice that Beth and I are looking at the camera. Debi is busy WORKING on the sand castle. Photo #2 is Beth, Daddy, David, and Debi (holding the doll). Maybe the fact that she’s working in one photo and holding the doll in the other is indicative of her future. She is now the mother of FIVE (that’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!) children - wonderful children, although they’re really not children any longer. Three are grown and on their own, another is in college, and the baby, Jonathan, is a junior in high school. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Debi - one of the hardest workers I know, tireless in giving of herself and her abilities to others - a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I love you. 

Oh yes - and she is also a writer! Here are a few of her books: 

When You Were a Baby 

Did I Ever Tell You about how Our Family Got Started?: Building Togetherness and Values by Sharing Stories about Your Family

Mother in the Middle: Searching for Peace in the Mommy Wars

Stress-Busters for Moms