Reader's Background
Some of my earliest memories are of the story-times that the family would hold nightly. My dad had gone back to school before I went to school, so except for meals, it was one of the only times my dad would take a break from his studies to spend time with my younger sister and I. Every night the two of us were allowed to pick two books each for dad to read to us. Usually when he started a book we knew well, he would read with a silly voice or mix up the words. Every time, my sister and I would respond with a chorus of “Daddy read it normal!” We would choose all kinds of books to read, my favorites were books with elephants in them, and my sister really didn’t care, and as the bossy older sister I would often tell her which books to choose.
When I was just learning to read, my favorite books were by Eric Carl. I memorized The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and would check out Walter the Baker from the library every other week. I would drive the librarians crazy because they couldn't get me to read anything new. It took about until sixth grade for me to learn to just pick a random book to try.
I was surprised the first time I tried random books and actually found something good. I ended up with The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler and Fishtale by Hans Bauer and really like them both. Since then, I have been much better at reading a variety of different books.
In middle school, reading was still one of my favorite things to do. Nightly story-time had transitioned to reading to myself or my sister at night, often much later than was good for either of us. I mostly read fantasy books. Some of my favorite things to read and still are Rick Riordan, Margaret Peterson Haddix and the Harry Potter books. I like books that keep moving quickly as I don't have the patience for slow-moving books. However, sometimes it does get a bit boring reading about one ordinary kid finds out that he actually has some hidden powers, then with the help of a wise mentor and loyal friends saves the world from destruction. That's when is when I read a good realistic fiction book. Some of my favorite realistic fiction authors are Gary Schmit and Sharon Creech, who wrote my favorite book in since fifth grade, Walk Two Moons. As much as I like fantasy, I do not like mysteries. I just can't stand not knowing what's going on and I don't like trying to figure out "who did it".
My Favorite Books Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech This was one of my favorite books for most of middle school. It's about the life of a teenage girl and what she learns during times of change and hardships. Every time I read it I notice or learn something new. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carl My favorite Book from elementary school which I once knew by heart. A better book for little kids, about a caterpillar's eating habits. |
Rick Riordan has been one of my favorite authors from the time I read the name of the first chapter in the Lightning Thief five years ago, to now. His books are very detailed and exciting with many twists and turns along the way. |
Fishtale
by Hans Bauer
A pair of siblings and their friends set off
to capture the biggest catfish in the Mississippi
to find their mother's missing wedding ring.
by Hans Bauer
A pair of siblings and their friends set off
to capture the biggest catfish in the Mississippi
to find their mother's missing wedding ring.
Rick Riordan Picture Sources
The Lightning Thief
The Titan's Curse
The Lost Hero
The House of Hades
The Serpent's Shadow
The Red Pyramid
The Lightning Thief
The Titan's Curse
The Lost Hero
The House of Hades
The Serpent's Shadow
The Red Pyramid