My Weekly Reader

In the fourth grade, my favorite day was Friday. Not just because the weekend was coming but on Fridays we received our very own copies of “My Weekly Reader”. To me, the short, shy kid in the second row, the little newspaper was a total gold mine of intrigue and adventure, packed with great stories and news. The added bonus was the flyer for new books from Scholastic Book Services.

There were so many books in there I wanted to order. I would carefully study all of the descriptions and circle the books I wanted with my pencil. Then, I’d take the catalog home and my Mom would say every time, “There’s just so many you want! Why don’t you just go to the library?” After days of whittling my list, cajoling and pouting, she’d finally give in and allow me to order two. But only two.

Once I graduated from college, I made a decision. I was out of my parents’ house and earning my own money as an adult. That meant I could make my own rules. And rule #1 was this: There are no limits on books!