Ben and his buddy, J.K.

About two months ago my third grader finished reading the first Harry Potter. For a kid who has struggled to sit down and commit to a "real" book, this was a big accomplishment for him. He was encompassed with all things Harry simply by the joy of reading such a wonderful book and being moved by each and every word.

His fascination wasn't just with the book though, he was intrigued by J.K. Rowling as a person. Lucky for him he had to do an oral report on a biography of someone famous and decided to dress up like Harry and present the creative author behind the character. Around the same time my 6th grader was doing an assignment where he had to write a letter to a famous person or business. A light switched on in Ben's face and he announced he was going to write a letter to J.K. Rowling. About 15 minutes later he handed me a perfectly handwritten letter that told the author how happy he was to read her book and how much he liked it. We googled where to send it and off it went.

Jump ahead to today when I opened the mailbox and pulled out an envelope from Scholastic Publishing addressed to Ben. It took me a few seconds to figure it out, but when I did, Ben came running. How thrilling for a 9 year old to realize his letter had been read by someone and responded to. I had already talked to him about the volume of mail she must get and he certainly wasn't expecting a hand-written note from her, but any response was enough for him. Inside the envelope was a photograph of the author and a wonderful letter that apologized for not being able to respond personally to each and every letter sent. He was thrilled. What a wonderful experience for a child to know his words and thoughts matter and grownups will listen and respond.

He tucked it all away in his backpack to show his class on Monday. After that he said it will hang in a place of honor on his bulletin board.

Auntie Kathy's book club

When I was in Florida recently I was looking through my mom's books for something to read. I picked one up and my mom said, "that was Kathy's. I think you'd like that one."

Kathy was Auntie Kathy, my mom's sister. She passed away a few years ago, far too soon, at the age of 60 from breast cancer. Auntie Kathy was a librarian, an aspiring writer and an overall book enthusiast and bibliophile. History, romance, adventure and science fiction, she loved it all. Kathy wasn't a book snob though, and wasn't embarrassed to be entertained by "fluffy" books or escapist fun. In fact, she introduced me to Clive Cussler, king of all adventure fluff.

Shortly after having my first baby, I was complaining to Kathy about how Noah took so long to nurse I felt like I was wasting time. (No bashing on me for not being the perfect mother enjoying our quiet nursing time... Noah seriously nursed for HOURS. One nursing session would often take an hour from start to finish! Of course, he was my first and I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so maybe that was part of it!) Kathy asked why I wasn't reading when I nursed. When I said I didn't have time to poke around at the library, or read book reviews, or find out what was good, she simply said "get a pen." She proceeded to rattle off her list of favorite books and authors. A few I had read, but most I had not. It was like someone had done the hard work for me. I wrote it all down in a little notebook I carried in my purse at the time (I had pregnancy brain then and couldn't remember anything so Jason bought me a little notebook to jot down things like "buy light bulbs" and "bathroom needs a rug".) I still have it. For ten years it has bounced around from car to junk drawer to my desk. I rarely add to it, but every time I go to throw it away I find Kathy's list in the back and I tuck that little notebook away again.

Jump ahead ten years and my pregnancy brain is now more aptly called busy mommy brain and I still find it frustrating to find good books. So there I stood in Florida, holding a book that was Kathy's. Ok, maybe this wasn't the book she actually held in her hands, it could be for all I know, but as I stood there I remembered my little red notebook from a decade earlier. Staring at the cover of the book I felt a strange stirring in my heart, a strange connection to Kathy. To think I could read a book she had read, one she had loved. I started reading the book, and my mom was right, I do love it. I just went digging through my kitchen and found my little red notebook. There are 38 titles and/or authors just waiting for me. A gift to me from her. It's a little book club for one... Auntie Kathy's Book Club.