Letter Blocks

[#1]

As a child in the late 1940's, I had undiagnosed learning disabilities (dyslexia).  I could barely read in the fourth grade and viewed reading as a devastating chore, something I had to try to do so I could get a passing grade.  As a result, I have no childhood memories of wonderful hours spent curled up with a good book.  It wasn't until I had children of my own that I revisited the field.  As a young father, I began reading to my children and now, more recently, to my grandchildren.  

Of course, Dr. Seuss is pretty much the gold standard and hard not to love with its colorful comic drawings, outrageous poetry, and underlying life messages.  The Cat in the Hat has deservedly stood the test of time.  In my case, three generations.  My seven year old granddaughter lists this today as one of her favorites.

Shel Silverstein was a favorite of my oldest daughter, and I remember reading his books to her.  His wonderful line drawings and delightful rhymes are as rewarding today as they were when I first read them to Tawnia almost thirty-five years ago. Some of the lessons in Shel's work were also very helpful to young parents.  Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out was a great life lesson when it came to arguing about doing family chores. Some of the newer child fiction is quite remarkable.  Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is a favorite of my grandson's and is a great read for middle school boys, giving them a guy they can believe in.

In my case, I didn't begin to enjoy reading until I was fifteen and was assigned the task of reading JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.  At the time, I was struggling academically at an Easton prep school.  My own life closely mirrored Salinger's protagonist, Holden Caulfield.  I was amazed that this author had been able to so completely capture the argot of my schoolmates and fashion a situation and characters that spoke directly to me.

I remember, after I finished the book, going to the teacher who had given us the assignment and asking him, is this really considered an American classic?  When he said it was, I realized for the first time, that reading a great book could be viewed as much more than an English assignment.  It could actually be wonderful entertainment.  Catcher in the Rye spoke to my fears and confusions in funny and truthful ways.

The reading of that book was a defining moment.  Despite my learning differences, it lit a fire inside me that is still burning.  It may even be the reason I chose to become a writer.

Editor's Note: Stephen J. Cannell is the author of the Shane Scully Series and co-creator of The Rockford Files, The A-Team, and 21 Jump Street.

Message Edited by PaulH on 06-08-2009 01:36 PM

[#2]

Stephen Cannell's story is inspiring. As a mom, grandmother and teacher of students with special needs, his story touches my heart. My middle son was diagnosed with ADHD in second grade and he hated to read or write while growing up. We would read together every night. I think the year he read C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia was the first time he enjoyed reading.

I would like to share Cannell's story with my students to allow them to see that their problems are only a difference in learning. I want to encourage them to pursue their dreams, just as I have encouraged my son to pursue his dream.

[#3]

I have read a lot of his books but I have never read Catcher  In The Rye. I don't know why unless it is because I have heard that it was found a lot in the possessions of  killers.That kind of put me off.

[#4]

While not dyslexic, I was -- what the experts called back then -- hyperactive, and not much of a reader. That all changed when my mother brought home Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan books. These high octane thrillers were the perfect antidote to the rambunctious boy in me.

[#5]

I was a huge Rockford Files fan and Mr. Cannell's story really touched me.  How sad that he went undiagnosed for so long, but what a tale of triumph!  I work in a public library and see firsthand the impact reading has on children.  I try very hard to find fun, interesting books for reluctant readers.  There is nothing worse than being forced to read a boring book. 

[#6]

I can relate so well.  I was dyslexic but was never officially diagnosed as such.  I just remember how much I hated both Spelling Bees and 'Reading Day'.  'Reading Day' was a day set aside for oral reading.  A student was selected to start the reading. When he or she made a mistake a thousand hands went into the air. You had one chance to reread the offending sentence correctly. I never lasted more than two sentences.  I was always so embarrassed. Back then (the 50's) I was just a bad reader. A reader who was bad because I was, get this, lazy. Heck, I used all the same words as what was written; I just put them in a more logical order! I should have been told that I had "editor" blood in me and praised.  Today the child would never get past first grade without the dyslexia being found. I am numerically dyslexic too.  So what are a few occupations that I have had?  I've been an Editor of both local newspapers and college Art Magazines, a Professional on-air live Deejay, and an Income Tax Preparer.  That showed them!  That showed them all!  And 'Catcher In the Rye' got a hold of me too. In fact, I just reread it last week. And like Stephen, that may have been the fire that drove those career choices.

Boy, it felt good to get that off my chest.

[#7]

Although I did not have reading problems, I instead spent most of my first year of school in the hospital.  I was blessed with a teacher who, because it was a small school with multiple grades in one room, went ahead and passed me so that I could stay with my class.  I can relate with having to 'catch up' and trying to stay afloat.  The story of overcoming the Mr. Cannell shares is one that any child with difficulty can use as a beacon for success.  The books that now resonate with he and his family show that good books never age.  I have my own favorites that made a difference in my life.  I am so thankful they were there, for they taught me so much about life and gave me something to strive for and that I can now share with others.

[#8]

The Catcher in The Rye changed my point of view about adolescence behavior. It must be difficult to live in a sequence of everyday events we don't understant or can't adapt to. My own adolescence was quite "normal", considering the stories I've heard from friends. I think that I accepted my dependent condition towards my parents' strict rules and could survive to this period of nightmares. I was a quiet, thoughtful, observer, catholic and critical girl who was screaming inside for some freedom. But I quite understood my parents' role to look after 3 completely different teenagers. My sister and my brother didn't have the same luck. My sister was a rebel and my brother an introspective guy, fearing to face reality. So, The Catcher made me understand that another adolescence side and questioning how parents' attitudes can be decisive on chidren's whole life.

[#9]

What amused me the most about The Catcher in the Rye was the clear distinction created between the world of children and that of adults. Children are portrayed as genuine, caring, and kindhearted, whereas adults are "phony," self-centered, and generally "bastards.” This would naturally appeal to any young adult reading this novel. The novel also expertly examines the grey area between these two worlds – namely adolescence – and the painful process of transitioning from one to the other. That said however, The Catcher in the Rye is so much more to its legion of fans out there. Check out Shmoop for more resources and references on the novel – its quite and well thought of site.