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Illiterate
While other kids were already able to read, I low key struggled. -
"Magic Tree House" series
I adored this series! I loved the character development of Jack and Annie as well as the problems they faced while they traveled around the world and hopped through different time periods! I was addicted to the short stories, and this series was probably one of the only books that I truly enjoyed in my life! -
Popcorn reading
I remember popcorn reading vividly during third grade because of how nervous I got when I was called upon. I would quickly rehearse the words in my head just in case I would get called onto next. By this time I was able to read perfectly fine, but I sometimes stuttered (and still do). -
"Honey Bunny Funny Bunny" by Marily Sadler
One of the first books that I remember that my mother read to me. I loved the book because of how cute and simple it was. It also rhymed! -
Literate
Through hard work with my mother, I finally learned how to read. Knowing that I learned how to read at such a late age has always taken a toll in my self-esteem. -
AR Program (Accelerated Reading)
This was introduced when I was in third grade. It was the most annoying and tedious part of school because I felt obligated to read. I somewhat forced myself to read so that I would gain benefits, and not because I truly enjoyed the book. -
"Berenstain Bears"
This book is one of the only books that I truly remember from my early childhood. I loved the book, I was virtually obsessed. -
Reading class
At Pioneer/Frontier Elementary School, we were divided into our designated reading classes during a certain period. It was nice knowing that I was with people with the same reading level as me, and it was also a great feeling knowing that I was put in the second highest reading level! -
Peach Blossom
I tried my best to participate in things that would bring out my character, as well as practice the English Language. Peach Blossom is basically a poem program in which a group of students would act out a poem, and it helped boost my confidence to perform in front of people as well as memorize/read out loud. -
Reaching my gold medal
I worked extremely hard to reach my gold medal for my AR reading (100 points). Although I felt accomplished, looking back at it now I truly did not enjoy the books because I rushed to read them for the sake of receiving an extrinsic award. -
Reaching my high AR Goal
I do not remember specifically what my AR goal was, but I remember it being pretty high! I felt so great about myself because I reached it knowing that I was at one point illiterate when everyone else was able to read. -
Middle School began
I remember still not enjoying reading. Middle school was the time when reading certain class books started to become enforced. -
The beginning of High School
I still had my middle school mindset with me, but I somewhat was growing with my reading. -
"Romeo and Juliet" - First official Shakespeare play
Everyone has heard of Shakespeare before, but freshman year of high school was when I officially read it. I thought the language was extremely confusing, but it was my first exposure to the great and classical Shakespeare. -
Reading "Inkheart"
"Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke was the very first large book that I read. I had been craving to see if I was able to accomplish such a task. For some reason, I actually ended up enjoying the book, and not just reading it for the AR points! -
"The Odyssey" by Homer
This play was the very first difficult play/classic that I have read in m life. It was challenging at the time, and I hated it. But I now know that there were many hidden messages throughout the journey, as well as how amazing the story was. -
English 2 Honors
I felt as though I learned nothing in this class, which became evident in the next two years of high school when I felt behind. -
AP Lang
My first English AP class! It definitely killed me because I realized how much knowledge I have been missing. It was a great experience that really opened up my mind, not only pertaining to English, but as well as the world itself. -
"The Great Gatsby"
Hands down one of the most influential books that I have ever read. It has opened up my perspective of jealousy, lust/love, and how material things do not always lead to happiness. I love Gatsby! -
AP Lit
My second and last high school English AP class. I think this class really made me understand the importance of English, as well as how I can improve intellectually just by simply reading. -
"Pride and Prejudice"
This book is one of the two books high school enforced books that I have actually personally purchased. I love the story, as well as the language and class, because it emphasizes the concept of how things are not always what it seems! I hope to read this amazing book over and over again during the summer when I have no AP homework to do! -
Reading "Hamlet"
"Hamlet" by Shakespeare opened up my childhood, because now I understand where the concepts of Disney's "The Lion King" derived from. I can now understand the connection between the two. -
Senior English Four Project
This project has made me realize how much I have been lacking. I now realize that there is so much to the world, and that a lot of it can be found within books. I hope to get back into the groove of reading.