March
18
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At Home Between the Pages by Dan Gemeinhart
When I think of my childhood, two themes immediately rise to the top: movement and books.
We moved a lot when I was growing up. In the beginning it was because my dad was in the military; later, just because we were following (or looking for) jobs. From when I was born in a military hospital in Germany until I entered middle school, we moved nearly every year. I was used to putting all my stuff into boxes, then taking it all out of boxes again in a new house, in a new town, with a new school. Each move brought a different bedroom, a different neighborhood, a different teacher, different friends. My family was strong and constant, but the rest of the world swirled and shifted around us.
I was a quiet kid, shy and introverted. It’s not easy always being the new kid. Walking into a classroom full of strange faces and being the only kid that wasn’t there yesterday is tough. Amidst all that change and transition, though, I found a warm and reliable refuge: books. Ah, books.
Every school I attended had a library. Thank God. A room that’s full of shelves that are full of books that are full of stories. Stories that are diverse and unique and extraordinary and varied – but are beautifully the same no matter where you read them. Whether I read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe in Spokane, or Montana, or Kansas, Narnia was always in the same place. I could go there whenever I wanted, from wherever I was. Stories always know where true north lies in our interior geography.
I remember vividly when my mom presented me with my very first chapter book to read on my own: The Beast in Mrs. Rooney’s Room by Patricia Reilly Giff, part of the Polk Street School series. I was in First Grade, living in Montana, and I threw myself on my bed and devoured it in one sitting. Not long after that, the boxes came out. We were moving again. We’d only been there a year and a half but I had close friends and a school I loved and I did not want to go.
Kids, though, rarely get choices. Away we went. My first day at the new school, I was sad and lonely. No one invited me to sit with them at lunch (in fact, another vivid memory: they scooted away from me when I sat down). And then we went to the library. All those books lined up, waiting. And right there on the shelf were the Polk Street School books. Those same crazy kids having goofy misadventures in Mrs. Rooney’s room. They were right there waiting for me. My spinning compass fell still.
Stillness is underrated. Life is loud, and for a lot of kids the chaos that surrounds them isn’t all that great. Fighting parents, jeering bullies, police sirens, moving boxes, absent fathers. In a rushed and hectic world, books stand still. They, in fact, require stillness. Stories ground you in stillness right where you sit, but at the same time take you safely away to other worlds.
Books are faraway places that we can hold in our hands; they are distant adventures, yet they’re right there in our hearts.
As teachers, as librarians, as parents, we get to share so much with children. Knowledge. Humor. Wisdom, maybe. And we get to share books with them. Stories. Books that may grow to mean a great deal to them. Books that might answer questions they’ve been holding too long in their hearts, or make them ask questions they never have before. Books that may make them feel things that are utterly new and yet achingly familiar. Books that make them think, books that make them feel. Or maybe books that do nothing but make them laugh…and is there absolutely anything wrong with that? Is there really too much kid laughter in the world?
It’s a wonderful gift, being able to share books with kids.
I am so sorry about your dog, Lupe. Here…try this book, Love that Dog. I think you’ll love it.
I know sometimes you feel trapped and alone, Jason. Why don’t you read The One and Only Ivan…I hope it’ll mean as much to you as it does to me.
Michael, you sure seem kind of down today. Know what I think you need? A little Captain Underpants therapy.
A new student arrived at my school this year. She was quiet, she was unsure, she was very far from the home she’d known.
In her first day at the library, I was showing her around a little bit, her uncertain eyes scanning the library shelves. Then her breath caught. She reached up and softly, lovingly touched the spine of a book.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Charlotte’s Web! I read this at my old school. I love it. You have it here, too?”
And then, for the first time since she’d arrived, she smiled.
I knew, exactly and personally, how she felt.
That book was not just a story about a pig and spider. It was a little piece of home – a little piece of home that she will be able to find wherever she goes. If she moves again, and again, and finds herself again and again in a new home and a new town like I did, she’ll always be able to walk into whatever new school she arrives at and find that book on the library shelves. It’ll always be there for her. An old friend. And there’s nothing a new kid needs more than an old friend. That’s the truth.
And now, in addition to being a teacher-librarian, I have the privilege of being a writer. A writer of a book for kids, a book that will actually find a home on library shelves in different schools, in different towns, in different states. And that feels amazing. Because in so many ways, I’m still that new kid, that quiet kid looking for a piece of home on those library shelves. And now, in some places, my book will be there.
And somewhere, maybe, some new kid on their first day at a scary new school might see my book and smile and say, “Hey. I read that book at my old school. They have it here, too.”
And that kid will know what I learned as a kid, and what I bet everyone reading this knows:
Books are not just things. They are worlds that we can always come home to.
Dan Gemeinhart is an elementary teacher-librarian. He lives with his wife and three young daughters in Cashmere, WA. The Honest Truth, his debut middle grade novel, comes out this month from Scholastic Press. You can connect with him on Facebook, on his website (www.dangemeinhart.com), and on Twitter (@dangemeinhart).
Nerdy Book Club 
enjoyed reading this
Love this post~ so true and so important. In a world that’s increasingly filled with social media and pressure on kids and change coming from all directions, books are a place of solace and comfort for so many readers. Thanks, Dan. (And I love your book! The Honest Truth took me through a range of emotions and left me hopeful. Thank you for that.)
This is just a beautiful post. Thank you.
This is such a powerful and wonderful post. As a first year teacher, I have found so much joy introducing stories to my students this year, watching them find that Captain Underpants therapy, and learning that they are not alone in the world. They have begun to find a home among my bookshelves, lost in worlds that take them out of their own days, and help them settle into something better.
Just beautiful, Dan. Thanks for sharing a little bit of yourself and for proving to the world that libraries and books matter very much.
This post expresses just one of my many reasons why I love books so. Thank you, Dan, for putting this into words so beautifully — I will post this at my desk for rereads.
Thanks for this post, Dan. Just lovely. Can’t wait to read your book.
Beautiful! My own elementary school librarian was instrumental in my becoming a writer. Never underestimate the good you can do — often without knowing it.
This is one of the best posts I have read on this site. Absolutely loved it. When I was young, books helped me keep my sanity. Took me away from all my troubles and loneliness. Lassie and the Black Stallion were some of my favorites. Now I’m telling my age. I’ll be looking for this book for my grandchildren!
If as a child, moving is never an option, books provide a way to imagine the world differently. I loved the book mobile when I was young.
This is so beautifully written. I found a solace in my school libraries too and like you I work in a library as well 🙂
I will definitely keep an eye out for your book.
Best wishes.
Always be happy to be at home …
You described my childhood to a t. That’s exactly how I grew up…so many boxes. I always thought to myself, what’s the point of unpacking? I still drown myself in books. Thank you writing this.
Enjoyed reading this post, thank you!
The opening sentences made me stop for a sec thinking did i write this? I too was a military brat born in Germany who is a big reader.
Thank you for sharing your story. In the near future I am to give a speech at a school that attempts to inspire children to read more. I am not a teacher but I adore books – much for the same reasons described here. I found this post truly inspiring
What a great post!
My boy is coming up to age 6, loves books and learning to love reading. I can’t wait for him to really get the bug, I just hope he does, there are a million worlds just waiting for him to discover them
lovely piece
I know right
Fantastic. We’re moving from the UK to South Africa later this year with a nine and seven year old. I hope they will find some familiar friends in their new library.
Fantastic post!
This is fantastic – I too have tried to write about books and haven’t managed to get through the same emotion you have. Well done!
So true and relateable
Dan, I believe writers of kids’ books are the most talented writers of all. They have to catch the attention of their audience immediately because most kids don’t do patience very well. They have to maintain that attention and move the story along with interesting and exciting events without using the adult hooks of drugs, sex and violence. They have to tell the underlying truth even if the genre is science fiction or fantasy.
I really enjoyed your post and I love reading books for kids. I will search out your books to read and share with my grandson.
it’s so true and can relate to anybody through emotion and not by experience.
Couldn’t agree more – books are a home inside when the houses on the outside keep changing. A beautifully written, heartfelt piece. Thanks for sharing, and blessings on your own book. May it serve others as those books before have served you. H x
Nice post
What a lovely piece; I’ve been able to lose myself utterly in a book since I was a small child – I will never forget reading Little Women at the age of 10 and sobbing uncontrollably when Beth died – and yet it was a wonderful experience; I was opened up, scrubbed raw, full of love. I didn’t move around as a child but I have recently, and my very first port of call in any new town is the library. And there it is – my world – shelf after shelf after shelf of books, hours and hours and hours of quiet joy, endless potential, computers to browse on, a vast catalogue to reserve whatever takes my fancy, notices on the wall about local events I can get involved in, people chatting quietly to me about something they’ve just read. If there are better, warmer places in the world I don’t know of any. And it’s all free.
Your words express the way so many of us feel about books; and so eloquently! I recently purchased one of my childhood favorites in electronic form because it was out of print. I was obsessed with finding it; now i know why! I needed something from ‘home’ even though I am almost 50 years old! Thank you for the insight.
Beautifully written. Loved each and every line.
I loved this post! It’s so true and honest, and I think all people with a love for books can relate. I especially love how you state that books require stillness. I personally love books that makes you put it down and think for while, digesting the information and making it your own – a part of you.
I would love to know the name of one of your books and give it a go??
xxx
Couldn’t agree more, books can be some of the most important influences in our lives. Someone just mentioned the novel, Brave New World, to me the other day and that was probably the most influential book of my middle school years. It made me see the world in a different way and start searching for a higher truth. I didn’t know it at the time but God used that book to help me rise above some of the darkness in the world. Words are powerful, especially when read in light of the Gospel of Christ and his words, the words of eternal life. Mr. Huxley’s novel will always be an important part of my life for that reason, it inspired me to start believing in something more.
This is a great post. Truly demonstrates the beauty – and importance – of reading. I also moved around a lot as a kid, and books were always a constant source of comfort and happiness.
I think many people, myself included, took refuge in books in stressful times. It is true that a lot of writers had isolated childhoods, were only children or otherwise spent a lot of time on their own. What better place to escape to than the safe world of books and the imagination!
Wow, what an awesome post! Books are always there, even when things can be so rough around us. I’m so happy I can enter into a brand new world every time I open one.
“Books are not just things. They are worlds that we can always come home to.” Beautifully expressed, and totally agree!
I really enjoyed this post. I loved Charlotte’s Web and still consider it my favourite book.
I think this is absolutely spot on! My older son is 3 and just starting to really pay attention to the stories we read to him. The realisation of how much his world of reading is going to open up in the next few years hit me a few weeks ago and I cannot adequately express my excitement.
My old friend is Black Beauty. I’ve had some health issues over the years, and Black Beauty always ends up in my hospital bag for the pure comfort and timelessness of the tale.
Your passion for helping children learn is quite clear. I only wish that I’d had more passionate English teachers and librarians at school – I’m afraid that being lectured on The Hobbit, Far From the Madding Crowd and Moonfleet by a man who didn’t really seem like he wanted to be around children put me off reading voluntarily for a long time. Now, I’m devouring everything I can get my hands on, because I want my children to feel all the pleasure that comes from getting lost in a story world.
very nice..
what you said is absolutely true..
Books are always a best companion and it will remove your lonliness most of the times 🙂
This is such a great post! I was a voracious reader as a child, books are always a comfort and can take you anywhere you want!
Beautiful post! Enjoyed reading this. 🙂
Great post
Wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. I was fortunate enough not to have to move as often, but we did travel frequently. It would have intolerable without the company of a trusty paperback or two!
Great post.
so insightful. I can completely relate. I always find books are my best friends. They are just my refuge from reality and isolation.
This is so beautiful. Thank you for this.
Now that something else.you can never go wrong with books.love books.this is a nice piece.love it.
This hit so close to home! I love books like I am married to them, and I share them with everyone I have an opportunity.
Stepping into a good story really does whisk you away..I think I’m overdue for another exciting trip – Thanks, from a 97th General Hospital (Frankfurt) “alumna.”
I like this line: “Stillness is underrated.” Nice.
Thank you for such an enjoyable and touching post
I absolutely love your writing, and we both share an unbridled passion for books!
This was so beautiful to read. As I read the first few lines I was like, this is basically my life story! We moved a lot too, though in my case my family wasn’t exactly constant and changed along with the movements. But books were and are and always will be my special place, my special memories. Thank you for sharing this.
I can relate. enjoy reading this
Rare to find people who feel the same way these days..i’m constantly struggling to explain my argument like you did..it’s a world that only readers know of. Thank you 🙂
Awesome post! Being in the military myself, I fear that moving consistently will have a negative effect on my daughter. Clearly, it has not had a negative effect on you. You are truly an inspiration. I am an aspiring writer trying to find my voice. Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Wow, just wow. Thanks for sharing.
My kids (aged 5 and 7) have finally developed the habit of choosing their own story books to read at bedtime. It’s so exciting watching their emotions and response. I still opt to read for them occasionally as a special treat – it becomes much more interactive then. Books are a blessing in our household as it brings the family together with peace and laughter.
Loved this post! Whoever said books can be some of your best friends definitely new what they were talking about.
Beautifully written
All of you(if you like mystery)Should Read the series of unfortunate events. they are good -Austin-CorbinKidsTimes publisher 😉your welcome
Just love reading
I loved this post!
I’m a member of a nerdy book club as well !!!
lovely piece..!! brought back old memories of being the “new kid” ! 🙂
Beautifully written! Great post!
I’ve had first-hand experience in feeling out of place in school. I’m at the age where what others think of you defines what you think of yourself and I think it was the power of all the stories that I’ve come to love to read time and time again that truly made me look at myself and form the opinion that I hold of myself today. Stories are constants in the whir of changing people and changing opinions. Today, I have a group of friends who know me as I am and love me for the person who I have come to love, myself, and it feels nice to know that it was because of reading all those stories about those who resembled me as I was and then becoming who I am, today….
Reblogged this on The Time Traveling Writer's Blog and commented:
I would like to say that this post meant a lot to me. While I never had a military family, my father did, and he often tells me about how he never really had time for long term friends and such. It never has seemed to bother him to talk about such a subject and he doesn’t seem to remember ever being distressed by it as a child. But being the thinking little bugger that I am, I often wonder what I would’ve had as my rock if I ever had a childhood like that. And then I came to a realization the other day (I love this post, and often think about it. I am currently reading the book) that it would be two things: Music and Books. Now I won’t go into depth about the music, seeing as how I’ve been trying to make this blog more of a book blog, but books, like Mr. Gemeinhart’s, have always been there for me. When one late and stormy night I have a next to severe panic attack in bed, I crawled out and stumbled to my bookcase to grab a book that I might not have read yet, but having it near me in calming: The Twelve Doctors, Twelve Stories Doctor Who anthology. I then crawled back into bed and held the book to my chest while I sobbed and tried to catch my breath, constantly counting all the way to twelve then repeating. Soon enough, I fell asleep with a book in my arms and a newfound warmth in my heart. I’ve been a Bibliophile in training ever since I was a little girl, but since these past two years have happened, books (and music) have become some of the greatest things that have played such an important role in my life to the point where these instantly things pop in my head when I think of the words Happiness, Stability, Safe, and Love. And for me, like Mr. Gemeinhart, my home will always be in between the pages.
Thanks for reading.
Best of luck,
The Time Traveling Writer.
This post is beguiling to read!
Books are definitely not just things I totally agree. I can loose myself in a book, it is so different to watching a movie even, you can totally immerse yourself in the story, whether it be romance or suspense. I would love to see kids encouraged to read more in schools now, they all have ipads or notebooks, it is all about entertainment but how many of them are actually discovering the true value of reading a great book. Thank you that you are been an encourager to these children, books are wonderful.
This really spoke to me. I was a army brat (and proud of it) and books were always my constant friends. Books have always been how I escape, rather that be from my problems, my loneliness, my illness ect. I am never without a friend. Thanks for sharing.
I have had a quite life. I grew up in the same city I live in. I have always felt slightly bad because I never got to see the world. 🙂