Give the Gift of Reading

 This article was written for the Robesonian.

In third grade I had a teacher who read the class Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.  That is the book that got me excited about reading.  That storyline and how it was written had me picking up books and reading on my own.  I learned certain authors told stories in a manner that spoke to me and other authors didn’t have the same attraction for my brain.  That is also when I figured out that when you find an author whose writing style speaks to you, you start reading everything they have ever written and anticipate what may be coming down the line. 

I’ve taken you down this twisted memory lane tale to say reading books (whether pages or on a screen) is an awesome gift to give a young person, and not just at the holidays.  This is an everyday page/life turner.  I remember my Daddy getting a new book from a favorite author and laying on the couch through the night to finish it because he literally didn’t want to put it down.  I can’t say they ever let me do that, but when I got a good book, finding a quiet corner to continue reading was what I was always trying to do.  Having a passion to read, to get to the end of a story that challenges your mind and accidentally teaches you new things … it's part of self-learning and exploring the world from a very safe place.  It’s a great way to learn new ideas, and about challenges people face.  Reading is a great and safe way to escape from the world for a little while and watch with your brain what is going on in another place and time.

My passion for reading was fueled by my parent’s who never had a problem buying me a book because they knew I would read it and expand my vocabulary, reading skills, and my horizons. That support to read is part of why we have a lending library at the front of our office.  Our 4-H youth wanted to encourage literacy, and they donated some of their favorite books for folks to come by and get.  We have books for all ages in there, and I will say the majority of books that go out are probably for readers 10 and under.  However, adults and teens, we have books for you as well.  So, come by anytime and check out the selection and take home anything that interests you.

Also, feel free to drop off your gently used favorite books.  Sharing what you love might inspire someone else to explore the same author, a new genre, or just expand their horizons.  We love book donations; that is how we keep the library free for everyone, and it is available 24/7 when the reading bug hits you. Our lending library is always open and stocked.

Judy Blume quit writing recently because she said after 50 years shut in a room writing books, it was time to go out and live her life.  Who knows, maybe one of our young readers will be the next Blume, Mark Twain, or Stephen King?  You never know what the gift of reading might inspire.  So, take a chance to give the gift that will keep on giving.

For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at https://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/. Shea Ann is also licensed by the Emily Post Institute as a child etiquette teacher.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.


ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and local government partners statewide. Extension delivers research-based education and technology from NC State and N.C. A&T that enriches the lives, land, and economy of North Carolinians. Extension professionals in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee provide educational programs specializing in agriculture, youth, communities, health, and the environment.

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