Who were your heroes?

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by historical figures.  My parents spoiled my sister and I by giving us books constantly throughout our childhood.  I had so many favorites, but here are a few of the ones I remember best: 


Marie Curie 
Nobel Prize Winner in Physics in 1903 
Her BIO here


This book was one of my favorites: 



Abraham Lincoln 


As a Kentuckian & a lawyer, I love all things Abe Lincoln.  
This book particularly piqued my interest: 



Amelia Earhart 
Famous aviatrix who disappeared during her attempt to fly around the world at its widest part - near the equator.  





I was assigned to prepare a book report on this book in 4th grade.  I remember being fascinated by her drive and ambition but also a little spooked about the fact that she was never found and essentially disappeared into radio silence. I applaud my 4th grade teacher for providing us with assignments about famous American males and females.  


Laura Ingalls Wilder 


My grandmother and I used to read books from the Little House on the Prairie series.  I would borrow them from her set (until I got my own) and excitedly return them to her after devouring them.  I wanted to be a for-real prairie girl for years after reading those books, around the age of 5-6.  Luckily, I lived in the middle of a gigantic pecan farm and got lots of opportunities to pretend that I lived in the wilderness of Missouri, the Dakotas and Minnesota - just like Laura.  I still want to visit her homestead in Missouri one of these days. 





This is why teaching children to read early and often - & not just fiction - is incredibly important.