Growing up, I struggled with reading. I could rarely finish a chapter book, and reading often felt frustrating and painful. As a child, my favourite books were Olivia and Clifford the Big Red Dog, but I would not say they changed the way I view reading. Throughout elementary school, I had teachers who helped me discover what books I enjoyed, and although I cannot remember the exact book title, my grade 6 teacher, Mrs. Potter, helped me realize that I was drawn most to a specific genre. The book that came closest to truly changing everything for me was I Am Malala.

I read this book when I was an intermediate student in elementary school, and it made me realize that I love reading about people’s stories and learning about life in other countries. I Am Malala taught me about the world and different perspectives, while also helping me understand how powerful and necessary education truly is. Through Malala’s experience, I began to see how education is not just what we do at school, but as a tool for change. This memoir allowed me to learn about parts of the world in an impactful way. Looking back, it also made me realize how much of a privilege it is to be a young female growing up in a country where free education is available to everyone all the way through to grade 12.

In Sometimes Reading is Hard, Robin Bright provides a reading survey (p.155) designed to help teachers understand their students’ attitudes, and interests in reading. This survey is a great tool that can easily be adapted from primary grades through to senior students in high school. By using this survey, teachers will know which books to put in their library or which books to recommend to individual students.

Here are the prompts:

1.Describe your ‘one book’ that changed everything for you as a reader.

I Am Malala is based on a true story about a young girl who lived in Mingora, in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. She faced many challenges being a female wanting to continue with her education in a place where the Taliban tried to take her right away. While girls were forced to stop going to school, Malala started dressing up as a male so she could continue attending school for as long as she could without being caught. One day, on her way home from school, she was shot by the Taliban. She later then woke up in the hospital in Birmingham, England. Her story spread around the world and she became a powerful voice for education rights and equal access to learning especially for females.

2. How do you feel about reading? Tell me about it.

Throughout elementary school, I struggled with reading, which made me dislike it and avoid it whenever I could. In middle and high school, I always made excuses about not having time to read because I was busy with sports and schoolwork. Over the past year, I have made a conscience effort to read more for myself even throughout the busy school year. I have made a goal for myself to reading at least 10 minutes a day. I try to read at night time before I go to sleep because I have found it helps me relax and unwind.

3. What types of books do you like to read?

My go-to types of books to read are historical fiction, military fiction, memoirs, and biographies. I am especially drawn to stories that are based on real events or real people, because they help me better understand history, human experiences, and different perspectives.

4. List some hobbies and things you like to do outside of school.

Some of my hobbies outside of school include junk journalling/bullet journaling, reading, playing pickleball or really any sport, and taking barre classes. I also love being outdoors, whether that is cross-country skiing, hiking, swimming in lakes, camping, or taking my dog for walks and throwing his frisbee! And of course, one of my favourite things to do is taking photos of my dog.

5. Who are your favourite authors?

Some of my favourite authors from the books I have read so far include J.K. Rowling, Charlotte McConaghy, and Wendy Holden. I also enjoy Anne Franks Diary and of course Malala Yousafzai, which I am going to read her new book this year!

6. Tell me a bit about the last book you read that you really enjoyed.

The last book that I truly have enjoyed reading was The Teacher of Auschwitz by Wendy Holden. The book tells the story of Fredy Hirsch, a young man in Auschwitz who protected and cared for children in the camp. He created spaces where the children could learn, play, and sing. Within the ghettos he secured food and supplies to keep the children alive and happy. This book offers a perspective I hadn’t fully understood about concentration camps.

7. Tell me a bit about what you have been doing since last semester during your winter break. How have you been spending your time?

During my winter break, I went to Playa del Carmen for ten days with my family! We stayed at a resort and only left twice – once to explore Playa del Carmen and the other was to go on an excursion at Xplore. We went at the beginning of break, so we were home for Christmas, and of course I had to have a Christmas photoshoot with my dog! I also spent time baking lots of sourdough bread, our Christmas baking snacks, and going cross country skiing in Kimberly and Panorama.

8. What subjects or topics do you like learning about?

I enjoy learning about Science, English, and Math, but I especially like learning about historical events that impact the world and humanity. I also love exploring different cultures, but I like to do this by travelling. I got the travel bug after I went to Tanzania for my three-week practicum.

This was one of my favourite lessons that we did with our students. We took them outside to learn which was a privilege unless it was physical education. We then got them to be the salary system rotating in orbit. Such a special and fun moment!

9. If you could read a book about one thing, what would that be?

If I could read a book about anything, I would always choose a historical topic. I am especially drawn to military history, social histories, and memoirs or biographies of people who have lived through extraordinary experiences. There is something about learning from the past and hearing real stories that I find very interesting.

Resources

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17851885-i-am-malala

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217896255-the-teacher-of-auschwitz