Question 2: Who was the first book character you really related to?

[Max]

As a kid, the first book character that I remember really relating to was Sophie from "The BFG" I of course loved the book and reread it countless times; it had such unique ideas and felt strongly visual even without any illustrations. I loved the way that the book conceptualized dreams and the process of designing them. No author has ever had an imagination quite like Roald Dahl's.

Sophie in particular stood out to me right away because she was naturally curious and smart, and also was a night owl like me. The first chapter is about her being awake at "the witching hour," a magical time of night where it feels like you are the only person in the whole world who is awake. Even today I enjoy this feeling still, as I quite often do my deepest thinking around 3 to 4 AM.

[Chloe]

The first book character I first related to was Lizzy Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. I feel like the world doesn't really understand why we do what we do. A lot of people tend to misunderstand me as a person. I've read Pride and Prejudice multiple times and is still my favorite book to this day along with Jane Eyre.

[Adriana (Mea)]

I read the book "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli when I was in elementary school. It was a strange book and I couldn't put it down! I strongly related to both of the main characters in the book. I saw them as layering versions of myself- Leo, the realist and StargirI, the dreamer.

I related to Leo for his curious nature and realistic manner. Leo is smart and observant of people and situations, but seems to have trouble accepting who he is and finding his voice. I related to Leo's anxieties of being seen as an outcast for befriending Stargirl and showing his true self, and I completely understood his strong desire to get to know and be like Stargirl. Growing up I would say I was more Leo, but I wished to be more like Stargirl.

Stargirl's character hovers above reality. She doesn't see, or perhaps chooses not to see, the weird looks people give her. She has a deep connection with her inner self and believes that people's unique characteristics are meant to be nurtured and accepted, rather than repressed and rejected. Among the sheep, she sticks out like a sore thumb.

The book itself is beautiful and poetic. If you haven't already, you should give it a read. iViva Stargirl!

[Margaret]

Well I really can't remember since it was a long time ago.

[Dylan]

I couldn't say relate to but I shared some of their points of view on the world. I share Gatsbys views of wonder in the world he sees the world in a different way a place of chances, possibility not jaded by by the world but fueled by the world endless opportunities.

Atticus Finch is an even handed man who never really has to rethink any of his decisions and treats his kids like adults and is an honest straight shooter. He is stern, polite and understanding and I hope they are traits that could be said about myself

[Dylan]

Dylan wrote: "I couldn't say relate to but I shared some of their points of view on the world. I share Gatsbys views of wonder in the world he sees the world in a different way a place of chances, possibility no..."
I know both of my choices in charecters are mature books but I never really related to characters in children's stories never really got enough out of them. Their stories were fun but that's as far as it went for me.

[Chloe]

That's how I felt too. Children's books just weren't ever enough, I started reading the Harry Potter series when I was 10.

[Max]

Dylan- I read both Gatsby and "To Kill a Mockingbird" during high school, the former for pleasure and the latter because it was assigned reading in English class. At times I found "The Great Gatsby" a bit tedious / meandering, but I did find the Gatsby character to be the strongest element of the story. His passion for life and his perspective on things was fascinating.

And Atticus Finch is one of the most admirable characters ever conceived, in my opinion. As you mentioned, in particular I loved the way he treated kids like adults. This is a quality that few people, real or fictional, possess.

Chloe - I'm not sure what age I started reading the Harry Potter series, but like many, it is a huge reason why I loved reading so much as a kid. Many kids books felt too simple or like they were appealing to the lowest common denominator, which was more noticeable the older I got.

There are many children's books that only left an impact after reading them as an adult. The best children's stories in my opinion are the ones that provoke feeling and emotion in people of all ages. One of our upcoming reads, "The Little Prince," is an excellent example of this!

[Amber]

Morino from Otsuichi's book "Goth". She was a weird one in highschool who was interested in brutal murders, she was also suicidal. In highschool I was considered an outcast, wore a lot of black, and was suicidal myself. I was also into brutal murders as I wanted to be a forensic psychologist, someone who studies and tries to capture serial killers.

[Tracy]

I am debating between Kel from the Protector of the Small series and Hermoine from Harry Potter. I just can't remember which I read first. I related more to Kel though, so I will go with her. Kel isn't like other girls she knows. She wants to be a knight, the first lady knight since the famous Alanna sneaked her way to become one. She is one of those girls that helps someone if they are hurt, and she is an animal lover. I'm one of those girls that are a little 'odd'. I mean growing up I would rather have my nose in a book than talking to people. So I do things my own way usually. And I have a reputation for helping people. I usually give people way to many chances, and if someone needs help, even if I don't like them, I'll help them. Finally, I'm also a huge animal lover. :)

[Adriana (Mea)]

Amber & Tracy- I had to look up Morino & Kel as I was unfamiliar with them, but you both chose powerful female characters- love it. One of my biggest pet peeves is a book with poorly written female characters.

Morino looks so cool and mysterious. I like her dark tones and fierce eyes. I personally have not read any Manga, but I am interested in challenging myself to read a different literature style. We'll probably add a Manga later on to our book reading list. Amber, you would definitely be into the murder mystery novel- The Snowman.

From the description, Kel reminds me of Princess Mononoke and I absolutely love Princess Mononoke. I also found this quote regarding Kel's position and I enjoyed it: "You are the Protector of the Small. You see real people in the humans and animals overlooked by your peers. There will always be work for you."

Perfect choices, definitely gave me insight to your personality types. Which gives me a good idea for another ice breaker in the near future... hehe stay tuned >:P

[Tracy]

I would highly recommend anything Tamora Pierce writes. Every book of hers that I have read feature strong female characters. Plus the stories are wonderful!

[Abigale]

Definitely Jack and Annie from The Magic Treehouse books! I always wanted to join them on their endless adventures. Even though I was in elementary school I still remember coming home super excited to take another trip with them :)

[Max]

Abbie wrote: "Definitely Jack and Annie from The Magic Treehouse books! I always wanted to join them on their endless adventures. Even though I was in elementary school I still remember coming home super excited..."

Magic Treehouse was one of my very favorite book series as a kid! My favorite part was that I actually got to learn something about each place that Jack and Annie visited; even though, looking back, it was always a very PG, edited version of history. Which book was your favorite? Mine was the one where they went to the moon :)

[Abigale]

That's very true! But it does plant a seed in kids to be interested in history. That was always my favorite subject and I almost considered taking up a minor in the history had it not been for my nursing classes.

I was always fascinated with Egypt and mummies (I think I wanted to be an archeologist at that point in my childhood) so "Mummies in the Morning" was always my favorite. ☺️

[Max]

Abbie wrote: "That's very true! But it does plant a seed in kids to be interested in history. That was always my favorite subject and I almost considered taking up a minor in the history had it not been for my n..."

The best kinds of children's books are like "Magic Treehouse" in that way... They should entertain you, of course, but they should also stir up your interests, reveal your passions... For example, "Where the Wild Things Are" was one of my favorite books as a kid, and the amazing illustrations were a formative reason that I became an artist!

[Abigale]

That one is a classic 😍 I used to have a poster of the cover on my dorm room wall. That's so cool that you're an artist :D

[Imogen]

the first book character I really related to was Violet from The Bad Beginning because she was about my age when I started reading the series, she was the eldest (like me) & I admired her natural ability to lead her siblings to safety.