MSLA 2017 Conference

Inspired by the entrepreneurial ventures of my 7 year old son, I reflect on why we (and our students) read. “Possibilities” inspire us to do such things as stand at the end of the driveway (on our dead end street) for an hour after school for two weeks with a small, tattered sign for an overpriced car wash. My son dreams of the possibility of a little cash in his pocket and a shopping trip to Target’s toy aisles. Why do we read? As readers we know what beauty and opportunity exists in a book. My son dreams of a booming car wash business (or at least 1 car other than the family vehicles) because opportunity is beckoning. Will he do business? That remains to be seen, but the neighbors are now waving at the determined little boy at the end of the driveway. Determined readers are opening a world of possibilities.