Wolf intervention

No, I am not talking about Jacob vs. Edward.

A 14-yr old recently told me that she had only ever read one book.  I was shocked.  But then as I thought about it, I have been in every room of her house and not seen a single book other than an old family bible found in the attic that the previous resident had left.  It fills me with sadness.  I had hundreds of childhoods, one with every book I read.  And some I lived dozens of times over and she's only ever experienced that one lonely book.

She continually tells me what a terrible memory she has and has given me great reason to believe it.  But I was amazed as she recounted to me the plot of "Lone Wolf" that she read years ago.  She remembered it in great, vivid detail that brought her to tears.  She is very interested in animals, so I immediately recommended to her "Julie of the Wolves" and its 2 sequels that are among my favorite books. 

I think about how I grudgingly read "Old Yeller" when I was 25.  I ended up using it, tearfully, in a Relief Society lesson.  Books often bring me to tears, and although her tears were probably just felt in reaction to the tragedy in the plot, I read them as so much more.  The tragedy to me was the struggle she has in school, her common problems with her family, her awkward age and challenge of teen social life.  All of these could be alleviated and improved by reading.  At a bare minimum it's a place to escape to.  A private endeavor of the mind and soul that can elicit great emotion and learning.

I will be buying Julie of the Wolves very soon and I hope she will read her second book.