Born To Read

Title: "Born to Read"

Author: Judy Sierra

Illustrated by: Marc Brown 

Reading level: Ages 4-8 

Hardcover: 40 pages 

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (August 12, 2008) 

Language: English 

ISBN-10: 0375846875

This story is about a little boy who knew when he was born, that his purpose for being born was to read. He starts out reading words like star, his chore list and then it moves into chapter books and even the dictionary. Sam loves to read books that take him on a adventure. He reads for fun, excitement, and a chance to put himself into someone else live. The story goes on to take you the read on an adventure just like Sam. Through out the story Sam will say things like "YES, readers can do anything!" "YES, readers can go anywhere!" This story is a great one to read to students who think that reading is boring and not fun. Sam takes you on his adventures and he wants you to come along with him. The theme of the story is that reading is fun and I believe this is a great book to read to anyone who does not like reading. The purpose of the story is to teach others that reading was something we were all meant to do. We just need to push our self and find the books we enjoy just like Sam. Another reason I think its story is a good one is that the pictures build on the text and the text build on the pictures. The three literacy elements found in the story are assonance, allegory, and alliteration. All of these elements build the story up and help the reader learn and become familiar with more the idea that words have much more to them then what you see. The Allegory in the story is what helps us better understand something. The idea that Sam loves to read is a great way to show other children that they can love to read again. Assonance is also heard through out the whole story, the words have a lyrics feeling to them which would help children understand and be able to hear rhyming words. Alliteration is also found though out the whole story. The pictures in the story are warm, colorful, and uplifting. Each picture has its own story that would allow children to use the picture to create their own story. A mini lesson I would do with this story is to talk about reading with my children. I would want them to have a love for reading just like Sam does. I would want them to get the chance to go on adventures like Sam does when he reads. This story is a great one to have in the classroom to encourage children to read and let them learn all the endless possibility there are when you open a book.