When I was in 5th grade, we had to do book reports as part of our reading curriculum. I still clearly remember that we had to do at least one of each type of book report: oral, written, and creative. I also remember that we had to read different kinds of books: fiction, non-fiction, biography, and how-to. I made a pinata for my creative report on a how-to craft book, but by far the most frequent fulfillment was an oral book report (no preparation required) of a fiction book.
And the vast majority of those books were Trixie Belden mysteries. The dun-colored paperback books with the distinctive type lined my bookshelves at home. I don’t remember checking them out from the library. I remember buying them any chance I got, and also exchanging them with my friends — the “other Jennifer,” and Sharon.
The fact that three fifth grade girls in one class were reading all fifty books in the series and giving oral book reports made the others in the class (especially the boys) dread it when one of us got up to share about the latest misadventures of Honey, Trixie and the boys. They dreaded it, but I looked forward to reading a new Trixie Belden with great anticipation, and re-reading books brought feelings of comfortable familiarity.
On March 2nd of each year, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the National Education Association sponsors a Read Across America day, calling for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.
Since I anticipate being snowed in, I think that there will be lots of reading going on in my home — by the four-year-old, the ten-year-old, and the thirty-(ahem)-year old. I’ll try to be a “caring adult,” but you know how it can be when you are snowed in, right?
In addition to the joy of reading together, we are offering a prize package, sponsored by Cameesa.
In the spirit of Read Across America (and Dr. Seuss’ birthday) talk about the books or series you loved to read as a child. Describe how you got the books, and tell us how reading them made you feel.
Here’s how you can win:
- For your first entry, leave a comment — or write a post on your own blog — answering the question above (if you write a post on your own blog, leave the link in your comment). My answer is in the first paragraph.
- For two extra entries, link to this contest on your own blog. If you link to the contest (either within the answer post, as described above, or in a separate post), leave two more comments. You must provide the link to your mention of the contest.
- Comments that do not contain the answer to the question or a link with the answer post on your own blog, or a link with your mention of the contest will be deleted.
- Each person can earn one to three entries as listed above.
- The contest runs March 2 to March 8, ending at 10:00pm Eastern time, at which time a random winner will be selected.
We will randomly select one winner who will receive either a Fiction versus Nonfiction shirt (pictured above) or a Take Me to Your Reader shirt. Then Cameesa will select a grand-prize winner from among all the participating blogs. The grand prize winner will receive their choice of a book (under $100) in addition to their choice of T-shirt.
This giveaway is CLOSED. Thanks for your great comments. The winner is #20 Amy at Hope is in the Word.
Managing Editor Jennifer Donovan also blogs at Snapshot about life with her tween daughter and preschool son.
I loved Nancy Drew. Would go to the library and borrow the books.
Thank you for the giveaway. Am hopeful that the winner will be me!
Be Blessed
Gayle
I also loved the Trixie Belden books. They were found in my great grandma’s house when we were cleaning it after she died. I loved those books, but my first love was the Nancy Drew series. I borrowed the older ones from the library. The newer series I borrowed from the library or bought at Wal-Mart. I loved them.
accoupons at gmail dot com
Here’s one guy who loved Trixie. Still does. And I’ve made many friends thanks to that series.
My favorite childhood book memory belongs to …
On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I won this book from my 4th grade teacher. I clearly remember her and the book. I loved reading the book. I read it a few times. It was well loved. I really did not read any of the other Little House books but this one.
Hoping to win. {**smile**}
I loved the Babysitters Club series – I think EVERY girl did though! They were quick easy reads, but kept me entertained.
I wanted to *be* Laura Ingalls Wilder growing up. I loved that series so much–both the books and the tv series. Why Laura? I loved her honesty and authenticity. She wasn’t ever goody-goody. She admitted to being a little bit naughty at least–even if it was just in her thoughts. (Though often she got in trouble. At least more trouble than Mary.) I loved the descriptions–I found them fascinating. I loved how they focused on the little things, the details, the how life really was stuff that not all books do. As to how they made me feel, it would depend on the book! For the Long Winter, I feel hungry and cold. For These Happy Golden Years I feel deliciously happy as Almanzo courts her and takes her riding.
Becky (laney_poATyahoo.com)
Here’s another one who loved The Baby Sitter’s Club.
http://literaturecrazy.blogspot.com/2009/03/read-across-america-day.html
The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I was in about the 4th or 5th grade, my grandmother gave me Little Town on the Prairie. It was the first I’d heard of these books. I read it and loved it, and then was thrilled to discover there was an entire series. I remember telling my mom “Grandmother didn’t know when she gave me this book that she was starting me on a whole new reading adventure!” I eventually got the whole series of the yellow paperback books and read them over and over and over again.
I was really into the Bobsie Twins books and the Boxcar Children. I never got into Trixie or Nancy Drew – those were books my sisters liked and I stayed away from that!
I actually received about 12 books from the Trixie Beldon series for Christmas one year! I used to read them to my stuffed animals in my room. I still have them, but my girls where not interested in them 🙁 – So I figure there are always Grandkids!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
I *loved* the Bobbsey Twins series of books! They are the books that began a lifelong love of reading for me. I remember going into my elementary school library and happily checking out the next book to read.
I absolutely adored the Boxcar Children series. These are the first books that I remember being zealous about. I was so excited whenever a new one was added to the shelf. These books came from everything. Some I would get brand new from Barnes and Noble, but most of them came from a little used book store here in town, while still others would come from book fairs. I didn’t care what condition they were in or where they came from, as long as they were readable, I was a happy camper. I would always try to figure out the mystery before the siblings did, and I remember a few times where I set up my own little detective agency and tried to solve mysteries. Needless to say, it didn’t go well, but that wouldn’t stop me from not loving the Boxcar Children.
Mariah
penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh what a walk down memory lane! I enjoyed a lot of the series mentioned in the comments, especially Laura Ingalls Wilder..but my absolute favorite of all time was Trixie Belden..she was so down-to-earth and normal! Oh this makes me want to head to the library and borrow every single one of them they have! Thanks for sparking a great memory!
I loved the Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry. I could identify with her and some of her experiences. We usually checked out most of our books from our local library that was only 707 sq. feet total in size! My mom also bought a few books for us through the Weekly Reader Club.
May Canadians enter? I liked the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and the Anne of Green Gables books and the Melendy books, to name just a few. I got most of them from the library, although my parents and grandparents bought me a few. How they made me feel depended on what the character was feeling – part of what I like about these books was they way they pulled me into the story.
I posted a link to this contest at the end of my blog post today.
http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-square-root-day.html
This is my second post to get another entry for plugging the contest.
http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-square-root-day.html
The book series I loved as a child were ‘The Little House on the Prairie’ series with Laura Ingalls Wilder. I got the books from a charity shop (thrift shop) most of the time, or the library. I felt so wonderful reading these books. They calmed my soul and inspired me. Even as an adult I’d read them again now just to bring me back to that place I was in as a child. They showed me how life was so simple and so rewarding back then.
I wrote my post and plugged the contest! Here’s the link—>http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/fridays-vintage-find-the-donna-parker-series-by-marcia-martin-and-a-contest/
I’m supposed to leave two more comments, right? Here’s number two and the link—->http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/fridays-vintage-find-the-donna-parker-series-by-marcia-martin-and-a-contest/
Here’s comment #3 and the link—>http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/fridays-vintage-find-the-donna-parker-series-by-marcia-martin-and-a-contest/
I was an only (and lonely) child and didn’t have many cousin geographically close to me. Lived in a neighborhood full of mostly retired folks. My most memorable times were spent sitting in the shade (on the grass) by the side of my house reading–especially summers and weekends in the springtime. My Mom who was a SAHM introduced me to the public library early in my life so I would make trips on my bike to check out books. There are so many books/series I can recall but one of my top favorites was the Nancy Drew mysteries series. I really wanted to be Nancy Drew or her pal.
chronicles of narnia
I have always loved and still do love Beverly Cleary’s books. Anything about Ramona Quimby was quickly purchased. I just was simply taken away when I read these books. It was nice for me too, because I recall that I discovered Ramona when my parents were getting a divorce, and it was so comforting being part of her world. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
I loved The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew and also the Bobbsie Twins. I could always transport myself into their world. It was wonderful.
I liked Nancy Drew. We didn’t have much money to buy books to keep so I cherished the few I had. Usually I would get them from the school library. Thanks.
Oh I remember the first books I fell in love with I loved anything by Lois Lenski. I know i am old. Strawberry Girl is still a favorite. I know she wrote these books in the late 40’s. I then moved on to Tom Sawyer, Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew most of these were published by the Whitman Publishing company and I still have some of these great books.
I did most of my reading from the library. I was also very fortunate that my parents would almost always buy the book I asked for rather than a toy. I love books to this day.
Thanks for the giveaway.