From: Sandell, Lisa <LSandell>
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 17:34:07 -0400

This is my first contribution to the list, though I've been a longtime, silent devotee. But this is such a thrilling topic for conversation, for thinking, for remembering. Books were my whole world when I was a child. The weekly trips to the library were the best days; books were truly my companions and friends.
  Two books immediately spring to mind--not only because they had such an impact on my life when I was young, but because they also played a tremendous role in my decision to become a book editor and an author.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I remember my fourth grade teacher read it aloud to us, every day. It was magical, and it was my favorite part of the day. Then, when my teacher finished, I read it by myself at home. Again and again and again. Reading this story marked the first time that I realized how wonderfully endless the possibilities were where language was concerned. How we colorfully we could paint the world with words.

Also, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I read this book when I was in elementary school, and beyond being one of the most marvelous stories I've ever read, I think it went a long way in helping me to realize that being shy, being nerdy, being unpopular was okay. I related to Meg so thoroughly. This story gave me hope--that adventure and magic and beauty were possible for me, in spite of all the ugliness it seemed my world was filled with at the time. And maybe, just maybe I could even grow up like Meg's mom did--as a swan.

Thank you for this discussion, and thank you for giving me the chance to look back on my long history with books and reading.
  Lisa Ann Sandell Senior Editor, Orchard Books Author, The Weight of the Sky www.lisaannsandell.com
 
Received on Thu 25 May 2006 04:34:07 PM CDT