Like many life-long readers, I’m an extreme introvert. Growing up, I was  more comfortable exploring the world through books than I was interacting with others my age. To this day, if you want to get be on my good side…don’t interrupt me in the middle of a chapter!

I’ve loved books since I was strong enough to hold them, but reading didn’t come naturally or easily for me.

I was still in the low-level reading group when I entered third grade, and my younger sister could put my reading vocabulary to shame. Fortunately, I had an amazing teacher and supportive parents who encouraged me to keep trying, no matter how frustrated I got with myself.

My third grade teacher is also the one who introduced me to a realm of fantasy beyond the fairy tales.

I’ll never forget the day she began reading  a book about a magical wardrobe in a dusty spare room that opened a door to a world trapped in snow and ice. She then let me borrow the book, even though I wasn’t at the reading level for it yet. Day by day, page by page, word by word, my skills began to grow.

I received one big present for Christmas from my parents that year: the entire set of The Chronicles of Narnia. It took me two years to read all seven books, but by the time I finished The Last Battle I was reading more books and writing more book reports than any of my classmates.

Come sixth grade, I was exploring the library shelves outside of the children’s section. I was obsessed with Greek Mythology, in love with Sherlock Holmes, and even tried my hand at Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire series. (I still have a number of Star Wars novels from my Junior High and High School days. No shame!)

When I look back, I realize my life could have taken a very different turn if not for the adults in my life cheering me onward in my journey to literacy. They’re one of the main reasons why I want to encourage other young readers so much, especially the ones who struggle with knowing difference between words like “back” vs. “bake.” I know it’s like.

In the end, however, it was a story that captured my heart and my imagination. It was a writer who wasn’t afraid to tell a story that tore down the mental block I’d put up. I may look grown up now, but unlike my 12-year-old self who only wanted to read grown-up books, the young readers and young adult section of the library and bookstore is always my first stop.

And when I write, that’s who I like to write to.

That’s why I’m here.

It’s my hope that in sharing books that encourage and inspire young readers to explore strange, new worlds they’ll come to love reading (and writing) even more than I do. Thanks for sharing this journey with me!

—Jen