Day 13 NaBloPoMo at yeah write guest blogger: Jacob Carll
In 1995, the O.J. Simpson trail began and ended. The Superbowl was San Francisco against San Diego. Toy Story was in movie theaters. Bill Clinton was in office.
And I was hiding books in my 1st grade classroom.
I was what you called an advanced reader. And honestly, that was only because my school was doing the “Book-It” program through Pizza Hut and, if you read a ton of books, you would get a free pan pizza. Obviously, I was going to read as many books as I could to get as many pizzas as I could.
Because of this, my teacher would slyly give me a more advanced book during reading time. I honestly felt like I was the coolest kid when Mrs. Baker called me over to give me a book that she knew only I could handle at that time.
One day, Mrs. Baker called me over to her desk, opened a drawer, and presented Charlotte’s Web. “I think you’re really going to like this”, she said. She brought me over to the beanbag chair in the reading area and sat me down. “This is a very special book”.
I couldn’t wait to start. A special book? Another pizza? And there are talking animals involved?! This had my name written all over it.
All the other students pulled out their own books. “Frog and Toad Are Friends” or “Amelia Bedelia”. I immediately immersed myself in the word of Wilbur, forgetting I was in elementary school, that I had soccer practice that night and that I wanted spaghetti for dinner and I should ask mom if I can have ice cream after.
When reading time was over, some of the other students had been in the reading area and were noticing that my book was much larger than theirs. “I want to read that book too!”
I immediately got nervous. As everyone went back to their desk, I looked around the room. There was a cardboard mailbox next to a large cutout of Ms. Frizzle. I ran over, dropped the book into the mailbox, and ran back to my desk before anyone could notice my stealthy hiding techniques.”No one will be able to find that book!” I thought.
The next day, I went right over to the mailbox, and my book was gone! I was too nervous to ask my teacher about it, so after school I made my mother take me to the bookstore to buy a new copy. I never told my teacher that I lost the book, and she never mentioned it being gone. Mrs. Baker, if for some reason you are reading this, I apologize!
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I loved “Charlotte’s Web” too, when I was young. Reading that book had lasting effects on me – to this day, I don’t disturb spider’s webs unless it’s extremely necessary. I usually have one hovering over my computer table.
I remember how motivated my kids were by the pizza program!I am motivated by pizza and reading though separately. Nothing inspires me more to write than reading an exceptionally written book.
This was an adorably fun story Jake!
LOL, loved this story! Reminds me a few school days myself. Great lil post.
So many good memories here! I love Charlotte’s Web, I remember the first time I held that book, and the Book-It program was the best thing ever. I also remember the joys and perils of being an early reader. 🙂 Awesome post!
I think primary schools go through alot of books 😉 I wish we received pizzas!