Flashback Friday - BSC Forever!

Project 36Smile!

On my usual walk today with my dog, I noticed a sign in the QA bookstore "What was the first book you read?" explaining a reading initiative local schools are doing to get kids to read more. Which is a fantastic idea! With so many tech toys out there, it's vital to get those out of their hands and replace with books. 

It got me thinking and though I don't remember my very first book, I do remember being engrossed in the—wait for it—Baby-sitter Club Books. OK, go head and laugh. I allow it for a minute. But everyone had their book, TV show or vice they have and that was mine. 

But cmon, how can you not like  Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey and all the misadventures they had together?! It brings a smile to my face as I write this. I remember being so excited to delve into each one as I flipped open the book. I liked reading each story and comparing myself to the girls—I think I was always a Stacey at heart. With her love of fashion and boys and being the exceptionally well-dressed girl at Stoneybrook Middle school, I liked her the most. Besides her math smarts, we had to be related, right?! She had diabetes, I had psoriasis. She even dotted her i's with hearts! OK, so almost every 13 year-old-girl did that, but still. 

That's the thing about these books though. Ann Martin had a way of writing straight to her audience—me—a 13-year-old girl looking for a place to fit in no matter how many friends she had at her school or how cool she felt. She based the character of MaryAnne on herself. So the adventures were real-life scenarios that middle school girls went through. I loved reading every detailed page and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next chapter. She made that awkward girl maybe not feel so awkward while being apart of something where you weren't judged on a day to day basis. It gave you an escape from the oh-so-terrible-world feeling you got sometimes. You felt safe reading the books and wanted more when you were finished. 

Oh, and of course I watched the video as well. My sister and I adored the collection! We were of course, BSC fan members too. 

We didn't have iPhone, iPods, iPads, computers, Nintendo when we were my age, so reading books and getting outside is what kept us occupied. That needs to change now. You have to find what your kids, nieces or nephews are into and get a book right up their alley. Even better, go to the book store with them and let them pick something out that they actually want to read. Letting them pick it out will have the biggest impact on them. 

I don't know what my parents did with those books, but I can't thank them enough for starting my love for reading at the right time. I would totally reread those books if I could. To this day, I LOVE reading books. I can't wait till I find the next great book, grab a cup of coffee and curl up and delve into that world.

Oh, and thank you Ann Martin for developing an amazing, relateable series that holds a special place in my heart almost 15 years later. Hat tip to you. 

Hopefully that special kid in your life finds the book that keeps them turning the page until they crave more and more. Smile once you know you did that for someone, it will be a great feeling!

What is your favorite childhood book? What made you start reading it?

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about, sharing memories, anecdotes and much more that make her smile 365 days of this year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it! The "S" in 36Smile resembles the "5" in 365 days a year.