From: Lisa Falk <lfalk>
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 16:33:55 -0700

I was one of those military brats. I specifically remember reading every single Beverly Clearly book I could find for two reasons. First, I was Beezus and my annoying little sister was Ramona (except my sister had ringlets!) - reading those books helped me have patience when my sister would complain "Are you READING AGAIN?!? STOP READING and come play with me!"

Second, it gave me such a delicious glimpse of what "regular life" - i.e., living in one place and going to school with the same kids year after year - would be like. I couldn't have that life myself, but I could go to Klickitat Street, in my head, to pretend, with Cleary's wonderful books.

Through our many, many moves, libraries and books were one of the few constants in my life. The Cleary books were my faithful friends - I could always find them in my "new" library! And sometimes the "new" library would have a copy of one that I hadn't read before - what a treat that discovery would be! Ramona, Henry, Beezus they were and are more real and more enduring than any of my "real life" friends from childhood.

I, also, have been fortunate enough to meet Ms. Cleary at a publisher's event at ALA - in fact, in 1996 in NYC! I will never forget that event.....

Lisa Falk Children's Services LAPL
Received on Fri 04 Aug 2000 06:33:55 PM CDT