When I think of books that have the power change peoples life there are a few influential books that come to mind. These are classics such as, To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Grapes of Wrath, or Tom Sawyer. These are books that have inspired and enthralled audiences for decades, and who would blame them for it? Who wouldn't be roused by Atticus Finch's final summation, or had mischievous thoughts after reading the antics of Tom Saywer? Though I love these classics, the book that has been most influential my life is a children's novel, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. The first time I heard Charlottes story was when I was in the third grade, where my teacher took 15-20 minutes everyday to read to us. Before that point I had never (to my recollection) read a novel before. I was enthralled. With every plot twist and development I became more connected to Charlotte Doyle and the crew of the Seahawk. As soon as she finished reading us the book I went and checked it out of the library and reread it on my own, and that was the beginning of it all. Then followed the next 14 years of my life to this point filled with reading. The ideas weren't earthshaking and the plot wasn't anything more than simple but it sparked a desire in me to read. Most of the positive aspects of my life have been at least partially influenced by my love to read. So of all the literary classics that I now read and study it was Charlotte Doyle helped me foster a love for reading that has changed my life forever.Thursday, April 28, 2011
How Charlotte Doyle Changed My Life
When I think of books that have the power change peoples life there are a few influential books that come to mind. These are classics such as, To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Grapes of Wrath, or Tom Sawyer. These are books that have inspired and enthralled audiences for decades, and who would blame them for it? Who wouldn't be roused by Atticus Finch's final summation, or had mischievous thoughts after reading the antics of Tom Saywer? Though I love these classics, the book that has been most influential my life is a children's novel, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. The first time I heard Charlottes story was when I was in the third grade, where my teacher took 15-20 minutes everyday to read to us. Before that point I had never (to my recollection) read a novel before. I was enthralled. With every plot twist and development I became more connected to Charlotte Doyle and the crew of the Seahawk. As soon as she finished reading us the book I went and checked it out of the library and reread it on my own, and that was the beginning of it all. Then followed the next 14 years of my life to this point filled with reading. The ideas weren't earthshaking and the plot wasn't anything more than simple but it sparked a desire in me to read. Most of the positive aspects of my life have been at least partially influenced by my love to read. So of all the literary classics that I now read and study it was Charlotte Doyle helped me foster a love for reading that has changed my life forever.
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I like the size of this post and the frank, personal angle. You should consider inserting a simple image to accompany your post. I've never heard of the Doyle book (and you did not mention the author). It would be even better if you could link the title of the book to where one could find out more about it (or even better) to your review of the book in Goodreads or a comparable service. These are just some ideas.
ReplyDeleteI remember my teacher assigning us to read Charlotte Doyle over a break. I remember sitting on my bunk bed reading the book. I loved it so much that I reread it to my cousins. I have since reread the book multiple times because of the very same reason that you stated. There are books that just have the ability to inspire folks to read. The way the plot moves and the characters in engage with one another allows us, the audience, to take part of their world. When that is able to happen then more windows open up as we strive to explore other avenues, to experience the feeling of being connected to something again.
ReplyDeleteAs I read this, I remembered how this was one of the first novels that my teachers read to us out loud as well. The fact that this book changed you as a reader because you realized how a novel can pull you in and interest you made me stop to consider which book first did this to me. And it makes me want to read Charlotte Doyle again!
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