I remember sitting on the rug in my classroom while my teacher read Where the Wild Things Are to us. It was the first book that really stuck in my mind. I still remember the wild things dancing and roaring. It made me love stories that used my imagination.

I remember my brother reading the Magic Treehouse books to me when I was little. He would act out the adventures and voices, and it made the stories feel real. I think that is when I first started to love reading. I would wait for him to finish so I could read the next book by myself. Those stories made reading feel fun and exciting, and I still remeber some of the adventures he read to me.

I remember reading Ivy + Bean when I was in second grade. My teacher read the first chapter out loud, and I kept on laughing from all the funny things Ivy and Bean did. I liked how different they were but still became friends. It was on of the first books that made me really want to keep reading on my own. I still r emember feeling excited to see what trouble they would get into next.

I remember reading Captain Underpants in third grade in the reading nook with my friends. We would laugh at all the silly jokes and the adventures of George, Harold, and Captain Underpants. It was one of the first books that made reading feel very funny, instead of just a story. I loved laughing with my friends and seeing what would happen next in the story.

I remember reading Dog Man in third grade. My friend and I would trade books and laugh at all the funny pictures and crazy adventures. It was one of the first books that made me really excited to read on my own. I loved how silly and creative the story was, and I would always tell my friends what happened next. That book made me see reading as something fun instead of just schoolwork, just like Captain Underpants.

I remember reading The City of Ember in 5th grade, because I had finished my work early. I was sitting and doing nothing, and then my teacher forced me to pick a book and read it. She handed me this book and said "You would love this book!" I took her word, and gave the book a shot. It was interesting to read and I enjoyed the book very much, but I had to act like I didn't because I didn't want to give my teacher the satisfaction of being right.

I remember picking up Ground Zero in the library and being pulled into the story right away. It was one of the first serious books I ever read, and it made me think about history in a new way. The characters felt so real, and I kept imagining what it would be like to be in their place. I remember finishing it and just sitting there quietly, still thinking about everything I had just read. This book is what created my love for Historical Fiction.

I remember reading Prisoner B-3087 at home one weekend, and I couldn’t put it down. The story felt so real and intense, and I kept turning the pages to see how Yanek would survive. It was one of the first books that showed me how powerful true stories can be. I remember sitting in my room after finishing it, just thinking about everything he went through and how brave he had to be.

I remember reading Charlotte’s Web in class and feeling really connected to the story. I cared so much about Wilbur and Charlotte. It was one of the first books that showed me stories could be sad, but still a good book.

I remember reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series in middle school and getting pulled into the world of Greek mythology. I liked how Percy and his friends felt like real kids but were also part of these huge adventures. I remember pulling an all-nighter to finish one of the books because I didn't want to stop reading.

I remember reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the first time and being amazed at the world of magic. I liked how Harry went from living under the stairs to finding out he was a wizard. I remember staying hooked on every chapter, wondering what would happen next at Hogwarts. It was one of the first books that made me want to keep reading long series all the way through.

I remember reading The Hunger Games and being completely pulled into the story. I couldn't believe how intense the games were, and I kept turning the pages to see if Katniss would survive. I remember sitting in class during ever free reading period, not wanting to stop reading because every time the class ended, I was about to read something big. It was on of the first books that made me feel real suspense and excitement while reading.

I remember being forced to read All We Have Left in 8th grade ELA class. We had to stop after every few pages to write notes, and it kind of ruined the story for me. Instead of just enjoying the book, I felt like I was only reading to do the assignments. I think I would have liked it more if I got to read it on my own without all the stopping.

I remember reading Born a Crime in 8th grade ELA, and instead of just enjoying the story, we had to take constant notes. It started to feel like homework instead of reading. I think the book itself was probably good, but the way we read it in class made me lose interest.

I remember having to read All Thirteen for class, and every chapter came with assignments. We had to stop to answer questions, and it took away the excitement of the rescue story. I think if I read it on my own, it would have been way more interesting, but the notes and worksheets made it feel like a chore.

This book might have been my favorite book of all time. It combined my favorite genre Historical Fiction with suspense in seeing how Christian maneuvers through obstacles and adversity. It was such an interesting book, and this is one of two books that has had me so hooked I had to pull an all-nighter. However, I read this book and did an all-nighter during vacation, so it earns extra points.