S.R., Gladwyne

School was to begin in one week when a moving van rolled up our street. My boys and I made cookies and went to visit the following day. A big family had moved in, we took a moment to say hello to our new neighbors.

One quiet girl did not join in, instead she read. Harry, my son, a big reader, was the new kid only 5 months before. He carefully watched the shy reader. We said our goodbyes; Harry took a few steps and turned back.

“Rose,” Harry addressed the girl, “You like books?” Still not speaking, Rose nodded. Taking her book, Harry inspected it.

“I read that. Good series. You worried about Gladwyne?” He asked. Rose finally looked up at the prying boy.

“I was worried.” Harry continued, handing the book back, “Swarms of people. Kids asking you stuff. Rules you don’t know. Figuring out where to sit at lunch is bad, recess is worse.”

Rose spoke, “Recess is bad.”

Harry understood one shy reader to another. He explained; “You don’t have to worry about Gladwyne. Mrs. Gross is the librarian. She’ll just see you and know you’re a reader. Walk in and she’ll hand you the book you always wanted to read and didn’t know about. Being quiet is ok, you don’t have to ask, she knows. Plus, she’ll let you shelve books, for fun, even during recess, if you want. Or you can just read there. The library’s the best.”

Rose simply beamed.