Arms Full of Books
By Charlotte Zoë Walker
When I was growing up, my dad was in the Navy, and because we moved around so much – each time he was ordered to a new assignment – I ended up going to sixteen schools, including four high schools. My brother adapted to this by being gregarious, charming, and funny, and making new friends wherever he went. I did the opposite, growing shyer each time I was “the new girl,” and retreating more and more into books. Books were the most reliable friends one could hope for. With the right book, you could just open the pages, find the spot where you left off, and dive right back in again to a world that welcomed and embraced you. Your mother might call you to help with dinner or make your bed, but you could barely hear her or pull yourself out of the world of that book. Continue reading…
