In Their Words: Why Kids Like to Read

© 2012.  Photo by Lisa Ehrie, Thirteen Photography

It has been a joy to reread our contest entries as we featured the winning writers over the past two weeks.  Thanks again to everyone who participated in our 2012 Freedom to Read Contest.  As you recall, we launched this contest in connection with the national book community's 2012 Banned Books Week to celebrate the freedom to read in our country.  We awarded our winners $175 in gift cards to Parnassus Books, a local independent bookstore, and mailed bookmarks and pens to all participants.

Thanks to Jackie Jones of Franklin, who assisted us with this contest and who has supported Spark READiness from the very beginning.  We also want to thank again our outstanding panel of  judges who generously donated their time to read all of the contest entries, score them, and make comments:  Carol Owen, Sean Martin, Amy Everhart, and Joell Smith-Borne.  Each judge read and scored every single contest entry.

Below are some of our favorite statements and thoughts on reading by our contest participants themselves.  So have faith, America, there are kids today who do like to read!    Here are some of the reasons why, in their own words:

To me, the best part about reading is that it takes the reader on fun adventures that no one can stop or take away. 

~Nadia, age 10

No matter what problems you have, what you've done, or where you are, when you read a book all of that goes away.  

~Olivia, age 11

When you go into a book, you feel as if you are free of all the limits that the world puts on you. 

~David, age 10

Reading gives us a sense of strength, power, and independence.

~Cassidy, age 11

Reading is to me is like getting a life you could never have otherwise.  

-Brynn, age 10

Reading gives us the power to look at the world differently and make a difference

~Danielle, age 10

There are no rules in reading.  When you read you can be whatever and whoever you want. 

~ Jack, age 11

Keep reading!  If you liked our contest, let us know by making a comment here or posting on Facebook.  

Meet Olivia Williams, Honorable Mention - 4th & 5th Grades Category

Olivia Williams received an Honorable Mention award in the 4th and 5th Grades Category of our 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest. Students in this category were asked to respond to the following passage and instructed to cite any sources they consulted.

Frederick Douglass said: "Once you learn to read you will be forever free." Who is Frederick Douglass? What do you think he meant? How can reading make a person free?

     Frederick Douglass was a fine man, indeed.  He demonstrated empathy for others, courage, and a love of literacy.  He worked very closely with Abraham Lincoln, another fine man.  In the Civil War, Frederick strongly desired two things:  the war to end all slavery and for African Americans to be allowed to enlist in the Union army.  It is evident that Douglass cared a lot about African Americans.  He even worked with his friend, Lincoln, to improve the treatment of black troops.

     Frederick Douglass also had courage.  When he attended Lincoln's inaugural address he was the only one who was African American there.  That took some courage!  Douglass definitely made his mark on history.  Most historians even believe he was the most influential black man in his era.

     When Frederick Douglass said, "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free," I think he meant a few things by it.  One, when he stated, "Everyone should read," he literally meant that no matter what race, gender, age, height, or talent, everyone needs to be able to read.  Not reading won't get you anywhere in life.

     Two, sometimes getting wrapped up in a good story, makes you feel like you're a character in that book. It makes you feel like you can be anything, like you are free.  Reading is a majestic, magical substance that you can have in your life, if you only read.  Reading is the key, reading is the path, reading is the way.

     Three, he meant that to live in that time, it was a black man's dream to live in a white man's world.  They would be able to work and communicate just like everyone else did.  Education would be the key.  They would live it, learn it, love it, and well, be forever free.  

     Reading can make a person free because when you read, it transports you somewhere.  I believe a book is like a mystical, amazing world.  When you read, you get to be a part of that world.  No matter what problems you have, what you've done, or where you are, when you read a book all of that goes away.  You get transported into this amazing, beautiful world with a clean slate.  Every thought disappears and everyone starts new.  The best part is, in that world, you can be anything you wish to be.  Everything disappears the moment you lay your eyes on the words in a book.  You make the story; you make your life theirs; you make the choices.  You may get as vivid as you want with it.  Let your imagination run wild.  You'll be surprised what you come up with.

     In conclusion, Frederick had empathy for others by trying to help African American troops get treated nicer, and better.  He displayed courage because he was brave enough to speak up for the blacks and to come to Lincoln's inaugural address.  Douglass showed a strong love for literacy by saying that quote, encouraging slaves to try to get educated, and being influential on learning.

Source:  Tennessee Social Studies Textbook.

Olivia is a fifth grader at Crockett Elementary School in Brentwood.  She is eleven years old.  Olivia likes to sing, dance, and act. She also enjoys reading books, writing stories, going to church, and spending time with friends.  Her parents are Kevin and Kathy Williams.

Judges called Olivia's entry "outstanding."  As one of only two entries recognized as Honorable Mentions in the 4th and 5th Grades Category, Olivia received a certificate honoring her achievement.   

Congratulations, Olivia!  Keep reading and writing!

Meet Mason Hibbett, Honorable Mention - 2nd & 3rd Grades Category

Mason Hibbett received an Honorable Mention award in the 2nd & 3rd Grades Category of our 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  Mason has a diverse range of reading favorites.  

Below is his entry:

     My favorite book is the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and the #1 New York Times Bestseller:  Diary of A Wimpy Kid - Cabin Fever.

     I like Cabin Fever because it is funny, and it has good illustrations and interesting characters.

     I think a good book should be funny, long and have some illustrations.

Mason is a third grader at Crockett Elementary School in Brentwood. Mason's favorite types of books are humorous fiction, historical fiction and comic books. He also is very active and loves playing lacrosse and soccer with his friends.

Judges commented that Mason's entry was "short, but the answers were direct" and that he "specifically said what makes a good book."   As an Honorable Mention winner, Mason received a certificate honoring his achievement.  

Congratulations!  Keep reading and writing, Mason!

Meet Brianna Keating-Rendon, Honorable Mention - 2nd & 3rd Grades Category

Brianna Keating-Rendon received an Honorable Mention award in the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  She competed in the 2nd and 3rd Grades Category.  She wrote about her favorite book Penelope Crumb by Shawn K. Stout.

Below is Brianna's entry:

     My favorite book is Penelope Crumb.  I like this book because Penelope is trying to find her long lost grandfather, Felix Crumb, because she doesn't know if her grandfather is alive or not.  I also like this story because Penelope is going on an adventure.  And when you go on an adventure, you have a lot of courage and bravery.  

     What makes this book a good book is that Penelope tries her hardest to find her grandfather.  At the very end her grandfather looks at the picture that Penelope showes (shows) of her grandfather and Dad (who died long ago) when she was two.  And when he sees him and his son then he hugs Penelope and invites her into his house.  That part of the story is so good because when you find sombody (somebody) in your family that you did not even know that they were in your family, then your heart starts beating and you get so excited that just standing there makes you feel really, really happy!!!

Brianna is a second grade student at Christ the King School in Nashville.  She is eight years old.  She is the daughter of Brian Keating-Rendon and Radhika Ramayya.  Brianna likes to read, swim, and play soccer.  Brianna received the top Accelerated Reader Award at her school in kindergarten and in first grade.

Judges commented that Brianna's entry was "well written."   As one of only two entries recognized in this category as Honorable Mentions, Brianna received a certificate honoring her achievement.  

Congratulations, Brianna!  Keep reading and writing!

Meet Brock Kohler, Honorable Mention - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Category

Brock Kohler received an Honorable Mention award in the Kindergarten & First Grade Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.   Brock chose to write about the book Arthur's Pet Business.

Below is his entry:

     My favorite book is Arthur's Pet Business.  I like this book because it helps you learn to be responsible and take care of pets.

Brock is a first grader at Kenrose Elementary School.  He enjoys reading, playing football, basketball, baseball and swimming.   His parents are Eric and Melissa Kohler.  His sister Grace was the first place winner in our 2nd and 3rd Grades Category.  Way to go Kohler family!

Brock included an illustration with his entry (see above).  Judges commented that his writing was "very clear" and "love the illustration!"   As one of only two entries chosen as Honorable Mentions in his category,  Brock received a certificate honoring his achievement.   

Keep writing, Brock!  Keep your sister on her toes!

Meet Jade Parrella, Honorable Mention - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Category

Jade Parrella received an Honorable Mention award in the Kindergarten and 1st Grade Category of our 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.   She wrote about her favorite book, The Little Mermaid.

Below is her entry:

     My favorite book is The Little Mermaid.  I enjoy reading this book because this is the story of Ariel, a pretty mermaid princess who lives under the sea with her father King Triton.  My father (I call him Poppy) is like King Triton because he is old and gives me rules and I am similar to Ariel because my poppy calls me princess and I dress up like her at Halloween.  

     I like The Little Mermaid because it is a love story.  She falls in love with Prince Eric because he is handsome and human and even saves his life!    She knows she loves him because she has a funny good feeling inside her and must fight against Ursula, the evil sea witch, and even her father who wants her to stay under the sea and remain a mermaid.

     Prince Eric falls in love with Ariel for her lovely singing and because I think she is beautiful and has a nice seashell costume.  Love can be hard but Ariel is a good person and goes after Eric and marries him!

Jade is five years old and attends kindergarten at Lipscomb Elementary School.  Jade is a lively, cheerful girl who enjoys reading, playing piano, gymnastics, swimming and playing with her Monster High dolls.  She was thrilled to have participated.  Her parents are Giovanna & Joseph Parrella.

Judges commented that Jade "put feeling into her essay," and they loved her illustrations so much that they wanted to come up with a special award just for her artwork!   As one of only two entries recognized in her category as Honorable Mentions, Jade received a certificate honoring her achievement.

Keep reading and writing, Jade!  And keep drawing!

Meet David Xu, 2nd Place Winner - 4th & 5th Grades Category

David Xu is the 2nd place winner of the 4th and 5th Grades Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  Students in this category were asked to respond to the following passage and instructed to cite any sources they consulted.

Frederick Douglass said: "Once you learn to read you will be forever free." Who is Frederick Douglass? What do you think he meant? How can reading make a person free?

Below is David's entry:

Reading:  the Bringer of Freedom

     Frederick Douglass was an enslaved boy, but by learning to read, he became a freedom fighter.  Unlike most other slaves, he was taught to read by his slave-owner's wife, Sophia Auld.  After the lessons were stopped by the slave-owner, he taught himself to read and write in secret.  Eventually, he was able to escape to New York.  For the rest of his life, Frederick Douglass spoke out against slavery and for equal rights.

     Frederick Douglass once said, "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."  In his case, reading literally freed him.  If he had never learned to read, he probably wouldn't have even thought about freedom.  He probably would have just believed that he was meant to be a slave until he died.  Because of this, I think he meant by this quote that when you learn to read, even if your body is trapped, your thoughts are free.  By reading a book, you can feel that you are in a different place, free to do as you wish.  You can do, see, and experience faraway things, and you can also discover new ideas and gain new knowledge.  If Frederick Douglass had never learned to read, he would have just continued in ignorance.

     In my opinion, I think reading makes you free because, when you go into a book, you feel as if you are free of all the limits that the world puts on you.  When you go into a book, anything becomes possible.  By reading, Frederick Douglass went from an enslaved boy to a freedom fighter.  What will reading make you?

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass

David is a fifth grader at Hunters Bend Elementary School in Franklin. He is ten years old. David enjoys playing cello and also plays tennis. He loves reading, writing, and math. In his free time, David plays with Legos, reads the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and spends time with his three siblings. His favorite animal is the mouse.

Judges commented that David's entry was "to the point and well written."  They noted his "clearly original thoughts in paragraphs 2 and 3."  As the second place winner in our 4th and 5th Grades Category, David received a $20 gift card to Parnassus Books and a certificate honoring his achievement.   Congratulations to David!   

Meet Gitanjali Rao, 2nd Place Winner - 2nd & 3rd Grades Category

Gitanjali Rao (Anjali) is the 2nd place winner of the 2nd and 3rd Grades Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  She wrote about her favorite book,    Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine.

Below is Anjali's entry:

     My favorite book is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.  This is my favorite book because it has colorful pictures that help imagine the story, it has details that explain the story well, it keeps me guessing what will happen next.

     The story also has nice characters like:  Lucinda, Ella, Mandy.  I like these characters because they do magic tricks and there is a new magical adventure.  I like this book because it has structure and it is well illustrated.

     I like books that has (have) realistic fictional stories and beautiful imaginary setting such as castles, forests and rainbows.  Realistic fiction are fiction stories with real characters such as knigts (knights), cute dogs and kind people.

     My favorite book has feelings and the characters show emotions.  They usually have a happy ending.  When I read my favorite book, I feel like one of the characters and want to meet the author to find out what can happen next.

     Ella Enchanted is one such book that I will remember throughout my whole life.

Anjali just turned 7 years old.  She is a second grader at Edmondson Elementary School in Brentwood.  She loves to paint, play chess with her Grandfather, swim, and play the piano. She has a lot of fun writing fantasy stories.  Anjali also enjoys reading mystery books.

Judges commented that Anjali's entry was "well written and thoughtful" and "impressive."  As the second place winner in our 2nd and 3rd Grades Category, Anjali received $20 gift certificate to Parnassus Books and a certificate honoring her achievement.  

Congratulations and keep writing!  

Meet Amelia Rustici, 2nd Place Winner - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Category

Amelia Rustici, age 7, won 2nd place in the Kindergarten & First Grade Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  Amelia chose Cam Jansen as her favorite book.  Below is her entry:
 

 
      I like Cam Jansen because there is always a mistery (mystery).  I also like how her friends work together to solv (solve) a mistery (mystery).  I love how Cam has a photographic memory. 

     Cam's rell (real) name is Jennifer, but when peapel (people) found out about her memory Jennifer was changed to the "camera."  Prety (pretty) soon the camera was shotened (shortened) to "Cam."  I also like Cam's chary (cherry) red hair.

Amelia is a 1st grader at Kenrose Elementary in Brentwood.   Her parents are Mike and Beth Rustici. Amelia is a gentle soul with an inquisitive mind. She loves learning about science and social studies. She spends much of her free time with her friends and sister constructing elaborate imaginary worlds centered around horses, schools and Barbies. Amelia enjoys swimming, gymnastics, reading and, most of all, chocolate!

Comments from the judges include:  "Love this kid's enthusiasm as well as the succinct manner in which she expresses herself.  Last sentence is my favorite!"  and "I thought she had excellent reasons for liking the book and didn't get too caught up in just retelling the story."  Amelia included an illustration with her essay (see above).

As the 2nd place winner in her category, Amelia won a $10 gift card to Parnassus Books in Green Hills and received a certificate honoring her achievement.

Congratulations Amelia!   Keep writing -- and we like chocolate, too!  

Meet Cassidy Fesmire, 1st Place Winner - 4th & 5th Grades Category

Cassidy Fesmire is our 1st place winner in the 4th and 5th Grades Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  Students in this category were asked to respond to the following passage and instructed to cite any sources they consulted.   

 

Frederick Douglass said:  "Once you learn to read you will be forever free."  Who is Frederick Douglass?  What do you think he meant?  How can reading make a person free?

Below is Cassidy's entry:

Reading for Freedom

     Frederick Douglass was the most influential black man in America during the Civil War.  Frederick Douglass had two goals at the beginning of the Civil War.  The first goal was that he wanted the war to end slavery.  Secondly, he wanted blacks to be able to enlist in the Northern Army.  Mr. Douglass began his life as a slave in the state of Maryland.  His mother died during his childhood and he was never sure of whom his father was.  He watched his friends and family beaten as slaves and he was determined to be free from the bonds of slavery.  Mr. Douglass enjoyed learning and knew that learning to read would give him the opportunity to reach his goals of freedom.  Frederick Douglass did achieve his goal of freedom in a very distinct way.

     Have you ever heard about the path that Frederick Douglass took to achieve his freedom?  This path was based heavily upon his views on education and literacy.  Frederick Douglass realized the importance of literacy when he declared, "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."  He was taught to read by a distant relative who was later ordered to stop teaching him to read.  His master knew that if Frederick learned to read that he might figure out a way to escape slavery to the north where it was illegal.  Frederick did understand this quickly and was even more determined to continue learning to read and write.  Mr. Douglass now understood that literacy was his path to freedom.  He was going to do everything within his power to continue learning each day to achieve this goal of freedom.  Frederick's opportunity to learn to read allowed him to learn more about the world around him and how to better himself and his fellow slaves.  This knowledge put Mr. Douglass on a path to the north where he would finally escape slavery by utilizing another man's documentation through his ability to read.  This escape from slavery may be what Mr. Douglass meant when he said "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

     Just as reading gave Frederick Douglass a path to freedom in the 1800s, reading today is important because it gives us all the freedom to succeed in life.  Reading is mandatory in our world today in order to attend school, attend college, get a job, have a family, and just live day to day in our world.  If I did not know how to read, I would feel trapped in a small world much like Frederick Douglass felt when he was a slave.  It would be equal to or worse than having a disability such as being blind in our world.  Reading is how we continue to learn everyday.  It is through our ability to read that we learn about the happenings in our world today.  Reading gives us a sense of strength, power and independence which makes us confident in who we are as individuals.  Once your eyes are opened to the window of reading, it is hard to imagine the confines that people who cannot read deal with each day.

References:

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick Douglass

2) http://voices.yahoo.com/once-learn-read-will-forever-free-3314210.html?cat=2

3) Gomez, Peter J., Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:  An American Slave, New York:  Signet Classics, 2005.

Cassidy is a 5th grader at Crockett Elementary School.  She is very proud to be a 1st place winner in the Spark READiness Essay Contest.  Cassidy excels at school.  She is creative and likes to write short stories. She plays travel soccer and spends a great deal of time training and playing soccer across the Southeast Region for the Tennessee Soccer Club U11 Premier North Team.

 

Judges called Cassidy's entry "exceptional -- beyond her years."   As the 1st place winner in her category, Cassidy won a $50 gift certificate to Parnassus Books in Green Hills and a certificate honoring her achievement.   Congratulations to Cassidy!  Keep writing!

Meet Grace Kohler, 1st Place Winner - 2nd & 3rd Grades Category

Grace Kohler is the 1st place winner in the 2nd & 3rd Grades Category of the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest .  She wrote about the book Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, an award-winning middle grade story about a ten-year-old girl with cerebral palsy whose brilliant mind is trapped inside her uncooperating body.  

     

Below is Grace's entry:

     My favorite book is Out Of My Mind.  I like it because it shows things that do happen and how a girl with needs shows how people like her can be like others and be on a national quiz team.

     Melody shows you don't have to be normal to be smart.  Melody is a girl with perseverance and courage.

     A good book to me is a book with good details, a long story, and a book with twists and turns.

     Sharon M. Draper, the author of Out of My Mind, has great details and I think she is a great author.  A lot of people would like it too.  Out of My Mind is a great book!

Grace, 9 years old, is a 3rd grade student at Kenrose Elementary in Brentwood.  She enjoys reading, singing, and acting.  She also likes to sew and swim.  Her parents are Eric and Melissa Kohler.  Grace's brother Brock, a 1st grader, received an Honorable Mention award in our Kindergarten & 1st Grade Category. 

The judges described Grace's entry as "thoughtful" and "outstanding."  Grace also included an illustration of the cover of her chosen book.  As the 1st place winner in her category, Grace received a $50 gift certificate to Parnassus Books in Green Hills and a certificate honoring her achievement.  Congratulations, Grace!   Keep writing!  

Meet Kriti Laddha, 1st Place Winner - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Category

Kriti Laddha was the 1st place winner of our Kindergarten and First Grade Category in the 2012 Spark READiness Freedom to Read Essay Contest.  She wrote about the book Mama's Saris by Pooka Makhijani.  Below is her essay:

     Mama's Saris tells about saris.  The girl's mom did not let the girl wear a sari because she was small.  The girl says that she is old enough to do things that her mother can do.  And then her mom said she could wear a sari with pins.  Because her mother remembers when she wore her grandmother's sari.  Soon the girl picks out the sari.  She's finally proud of herself wearing the sari.  There are different saris for occasions.

     I like this book because it reminds me of my grandmother who wears a sari.  My grandmother lives far away in India.  Last time I was in India my aunts were wearing saris at the wedding.  My grandmother wears saris even when she sleeps.  My mom wore a sari to when she got my brother from the hospital.  Saris don't look plain but clothes look plain.  Saris are very unike (unique) and colorful.  They even have butiful (beautiful) desighns (designs).  I want to wear a sari just like my grandmother when I grow up.  I will wear a pink and purple sari with faboulas (fabulous) desighns (designs).  I'm sure that my grandmother will be very happy to see me in the sari.

Winner Kriti is a very active 6 year old girl.  Kriti attends first grade at Edmondson Elementary School in Brentwood.  She loves to read books, solve math problems, and play with her younger sibling.  Kriti's hobbies include drawing, painting, and playing computer games.  She likes to spend vacation time with her cousins and family at the beach.  

Kriti received a perfect score from every judge on our panel.   Judges commented that her entry was "exceptional," "impressive for a six year old," and "a stand-out."  Kriti received a $25 gift certificate to Parnassus Books in Green Hills and a certificate honoring her achievement. 

Congratulations to Kriti and we hope you continue writing!