The Future of Reading!
I spent the morning with some inner-city middle school students quite by accident one day this past week. They thought it was 'cool' that I was an author and asked, "How'd ya learn to do that Mrs. P."
I did not answer the question, quite like a politician, I asked my own question, "What do you like to read?" And the answers struck me emotionally.
Of the eight students, five do not read with the exception of an occasional magazine, two read graphic novels, and one read whatever she could find. I was so disappointed and selfish at that moment, thinking just where would my audience come from in the future, if I should be so lucky to have my books available for sale in the future.
It was then that the horror hit me. If these kids don't read much, then how will they handle their lives in this twenty-first century when instructions are required for most things they buy other than clothing. We talked for a long time while I explained my concerns for their future. We read a few excerpts from my book; they could read. Phew! But, but, here was the problem, they needed background within which to absorb what we read together. When I gave them some background, they wanted to read more. They became engaged.
I then concluded telling them, "The more you kids read, the more you'll want to read because you will learn diversity about the world that is not in your daily life. You will, after reading a few different books, find joy in reading, which has made me happy over all my years."
One of the boys said, "Mrs. P., you didn't answer the question on how to be a writer."
I explained that I did answer it really, because to be a writer, you must have been a reader; that reading what interests you will often be what you will choose to write in."
They all laughed and one said, "So you're interested in murder, Mrs. P.?
My response: "No, I'm interested in examining fictional horrors such as murder and psychopathy so as to help maybe prevent their occurences in reality." They laughed and promised to read a book before we met again.
K. B. Pellegrino
I did not answer the question, quite like a politician, I asked my own question, "What do you like to read?" And the answers struck me emotionally.
Of the eight students, five do not read with the exception of an occasional magazine, two read graphic novels, and one read whatever she could find. I was so disappointed and selfish at that moment, thinking just where would my audience come from in the future, if I should be so lucky to have my books available for sale in the future.
It was then that the horror hit me. If these kids don't read much, then how will they handle their lives in this twenty-first century when instructions are required for most things they buy other than clothing. We talked for a long time while I explained my concerns for their future. We read a few excerpts from my book; they could read. Phew! But, but, here was the problem, they needed background within which to absorb what we read together. When I gave them some background, they wanted to read more. They became engaged.
I then concluded telling them, "The more you kids read, the more you'll want to read because you will learn diversity about the world that is not in your daily life. You will, after reading a few different books, find joy in reading, which has made me happy over all my years."
One of the boys said, "Mrs. P., you didn't answer the question on how to be a writer."
I explained that I did answer it really, because to be a writer, you must have been a reader; that reading what interests you will often be what you will choose to write in."
They all laughed and one said, "So you're interested in murder, Mrs. P.?
My response: "No, I'm interested in examining fictional horrors such as murder and psychopathy so as to help maybe prevent their occurences in reality." They laughed and promised to read a book before we met again.
K. B. Pellegrino
No comments have been added yet.
