In the May newletter, we asked kids to turn in an essay describing, "The Book That Made Me Love Reading."  After reading all the essays, here is the winner and three runner-ups:

Winner:

Ali Fraerman for her essay on Titus Rules!

You can read her essay below!

Runners-Up:

Cari Schuette for her essay on Maximum Ride

Claire Radler for her essay on Because of Anya

Cameron Coughlin for his essay on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Ali Fraerman's Essay

        When I was younger, my favorite book was entitled Titus Rules! by Dick King Smith.  My dad read that book to me over and over again, and later I read it to myself, over and over again.  Titus Rules! was a fun book, about the Queen of England's (fictional) favorite corgi, who was very heroic.  The book was not only great to read, it also taught you a little bit about jealousy and feeling left out.  (All the other corgis were jealous of Titus and felt like the Queen wasn't giving them as much atterntion, and excluding them from the special privileges Titus got.)  Titus, however, might have deserved the special treatment.  After all, didn't he alert everyone of a fire, a flood, and a robbery?

        This book teaches about how heroes come in all sizes and species!  I remember always wanting a dog like Titus, and whenever I felt that way, I just read the book again.  When I read it, it was actually like I was at the palace with Titus, and for a while I really did own him.  I first experienced the true magic of books through Titus and all the rest of the very distinctive characters.  I learned that books can take you places, and I wanted to go to all of those places.  It was amazing how each book contained a different story at a different place and time, and I wanted to live the life of every book character ever written about.  I still do.  And I will always remember Titus Rules! as the book that introduced me to my love of reading.