To Whom It May Concern…Happy Thanksgiving!

I came across an article I thoroughly enjoyed called “23 Bestselling YA Authors Share ‘the Book I’m Most Thankful for'” by Sona Charaipotra for Parade Magazine. It’s a wonderful article with lovely tributes about the power reading wields to change our lives. I think you will enjoy reading it.

My country has its faults as do all countries (and all people, for that matter), but I am thankful that the first amendment our founders penned was the citizens’ right to free speech. In these troubling times, I realize every day the power of this right and privilege.

So, for all you readers and writers out there, on this day of giving thanks, what book are you thankful for?

I’ll start. I am thankful for the The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.

By today’s standards, Nancy Drew seems pretty tame, and I’ve yet to interest any of my students to read The Secret of the Old Clock. So why am I thankful for this book?

Oh, so many reasons. Nancy Drew showed me that girls could be independent and courageous and even a little outrageous. A girl could rebel against authority. Sometimes she would be wrong, but she always had the right.

I learned even more from George, one of Nancy’s two sidekicks. George’s father wanted a son, and when a daughter was born instead, he named her George (no, not short for Georgina) but had little to do with her after that. From George, I learned that parents can be cruel and fallible. I also came to understand that difference is acceptable. George did not favor wardrobe changes the way Nancy did, and she followed more typically “boyish” pursuits. As a dedicated tomboy (do people still use that term?) George was different in ways that children can taunt, and here was beautiful, rich, and clever Nancy supporting and honoring George without reservation.

Thanks to The Secret of the Old Clock I came to understand that there are many ways to be a girl in the world, not all of them sanctioned by society. What a concept. And what a gift I received from The Secret of the Old Clock! Thank you, Carolyn Keene!

Now, you…what book are you thankful for? Please tell me. Leave a message and let’s discuss!