Coming of Age through Literary Genres

My elementary school was so crowded that my fifth grade classroom was relegated (or -  should I say promoted) to the school library.  What a tragedy to be surrounded by shelves and shelves of books all day!  My attention was too often focused on the myriad of books surrounding me as I would decide what I was going to read next.  It was during that year I read an abridged version of "Lorna Doone," by Richard D. Blackmore. 

This is a British romance based on historical characters from the late 17^th century, written with an olde English dialect.  It is an adventure, with a developing plot line, about outlaws, family secrets, and romance. I was captivated with the whole story as this book quickly drew me into the vast magical world of literature. 

It was an introduction that soon lead me into the British regency romance genre of Jane Austen and the Brontes.  A tough decision, I decided my favorite book in seventh grade was Emily Bronte's, "Wuthering Heights."  I wanted to identify with the head strong Cathy who was adored by the mysterious Heathcliff.  I waded through some unpleasant junior high years by privately pretending to be one of my favorite  British heroines.


By eighth grade, my favorite book was Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo,” unabridged.  Themes for Monte Cristo are adventure, revenge and power.  My family gave me the nickname of bookworm because I could not seem to be able to quench my thirst for reading.  I went through several Nancy Drew Mysteries, then on to the biographies of every musician and artist I had ever heard of.  Of course, I could not pass up American writers, Pearl S. Buck, Ralph Moody and Gene Stratton-Porter's fabulous books.  The problem
was that there was not enough time!


There was a library reading class offered while I
was in the ninth grade that provided me with legit reading time . . . .heavenly. . . . .


This literary journey through my young life provided a foundation for understanding people and circumstance, values and virtues, adventure and adversity that has helped guide and shape me.  There are still volumes and volumes to go!!