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Submitted
by: name: Wayne Brinda, Prime
Stage Artistic Director
Favorite Book:
The NeverEnding Story
Author: Michael
Ende
Age Book Read:
22
How
did reading this book touch your life?
It was given to me by a friend who said I would
love this story. And I did as I found myself and
the main character, Bastian, get deeply into the
world of the story. This book showed me how literature
can come to life in meaningful, relevant, and
extremely visual ways. I still have the book given
to me in 1972 and I cherish it.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? Find that story from
a friend, parent, teacher or by yourself where
you can become totally immersed in its world,
characters, and hope. Try it, let others help
you when needed, and discover new worlds that
only literature and theatre can bring. This is
literature coming to life, and you CAN do it!
Submitted by:
Leesa
Favorite Book:
The Giver
Author: Lois
Lowry
Age Book Read:
8
How
did reading this book touch your life?
I am now 18 years old and
I have loved to read for as long as I can remember.
When I was 8 I read "The Giver" for
the the first time and I remember that being the
moment in my life where I first experienced abstract
thought. Before that I was reading things like
Dr. Seuss and Ramona Quimby and even though those
are great children's books, the Giver truly opened
a new realm of my maturing imagination. Lois Lowry
is definitely an author that I will have my children
read one day.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? I
would tell them that even though reading may not
be their thing, try it. If you think that most
books are boring keep looking until you find one
that you like. Reading gives your mind so many
for exciting opportunities than any movies or
T.V. shows can.
Submitted by:
Becca
Favorite Book:
The Book Thief
Author: Markus
Zusak
Age Book Read:
13
How
did reading this book touch your life?
This is a great book about an orphaned girl (age
9-14) growing up in Nazi Germany. She takes part
in BDM, the girls' version of Hitler Youth, and
her adoptive family hide a Jew. It is really well-written
and really sad.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say?
Reading is good.
Submitted
by: Kimberly
Favorite Book: Diary of a Young Girl
Author:
Anne Frank
Age
Book Read: 9
How
did reading this book touch your life? This
book touched my life by showing me how people
lived then, and it just really touched me!
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? Keep reading. Don't
stop, because you might never read a good novel
again!
Submitted
by: Dannielle
Favorite
Book: Gone With the Wind
Author:
Margaret Mitchell
Age
Book Read: 13 (and then 14 when I re-read
it)
How did reading this book touch your life?
Gone With the Wind opened up new worlds to me.
I never knew much about the Civil War before I
read it. After Gone With the Wind, I became obsessed.
The Civil War is an amazing period of our country's
history, and it is great to learn about it. It
was interesting the learn about the war from a
Southern point of view. I found it hard to relate
to "Johnny Reb": my ancestor fought
for Pennsylvania, and it is hard to pity people
that shot at your great-something grandfather.
However, after reading Gone With the Wind, I truly
understood what the people in the South lost.
It was more than "their" slaves and
their land: they lost their entire way of life.
That is why Gone With the Wind is such a touching
novel. The characters are human with very relatable
human flaws. Scarlett is a great protagonist for
that reason. She has spirit and determination,
but she also has jealously and other "bad"
characteristics. Margaret Mitchell's writing style
is great. I would swear that it is a hundred pages,
not about a thousand. Gone With the Wind is so
captivating... it is just a great book!
If you could say one thing to a teenager about
reading - what would you say? Reading is an
amazing, magical experience. I've always loved
the concept of history, and magical worlds and
the like. Through books, you can do things that
you could never do in real life. You can fight
a dragon, marry a prince, and cast magical spells.
You can be transported back into history. Reading
is not only a fun activity: good reading skills
can help you in all walks of your life. Reading
has made me who I am as a person, a student, and
as an actor. Just as I love becoming a character
through books, I love becoming one on stage and
in front of a camera. Books are, in my opinion,
the greatest triumph of humankind.
Submitted
by: Daniel Kirk - Prime
Stage Mentor Director
Favorite Book:
Of Mice and Men
Author: John
Steinbeck
Age
Book Read: 14, 18, 23,
34
How
did reading this book touch your life?
"Of Mice and Men" changed my life in
a very real way. It was the first experience I
had that turned on that little light that said,
"Wow, this is what it means to read, to be
educated." I first read it at a very transitional
period in my life, and it set my mind towards
being a student. For the first time, I cared about
learning. I have not stopped reading, learning,
writing, teaching ever since.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say?
Just READ! I had a swimming instructor once tell
me, "I can't make you swim five laps today,
but I can sure make you wish that you had."
I offer the same advice about reading. I cannot
make you read, but someday I am certain that you
will wish that you had read more. It doesn't matter
what you read - just read.
Name: Dallas
DiLeo - Prime Stage Board Member
Favorite Book:
(this year) The Blind Side
Author: Michael
Lewis
How
did reading this book touch your life?:
It reminds me that raw athletic talent (or any
kind of talent or gift) still needs education,
coaching, and discipline to succeed. Also, it
shows people who step up and help another person;
not just financially but with the same guidance
they give to their own family. They saw a need
and they did what they could to fulfill it.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say?:
This book, like many books, took me into a world
I know nothing about. Books give us experiences
we may never have in our own lives and we learn
from them.
Name: John
Clark - Prime Stage Board
Member
Favorite Book:
To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper
Lee
How
did reading this book touch your life?
This book was one of my Mom's all time favorites
and I remember reading it because she said it
was a great book. She was right. I admired how
Atticus was willing to stand on principle. He
taught his children and the rest of us the difference
between right and wrong by his example. I can't
think of this book with out thinking of my Mom.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say?
Share books you enjoy with friends and family
and then you can discuss and share your thoughts
and perspectives. It' a great way open your mind
and create great shared memories!
Name:
Mary Windstein, Prime Stage
Education Box Office Manager
Favorite
Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Author:
Betty Smith
Age
Book Read: Early teens
How did reading this book touch your life?
The main character of this book, Francie Nolan,
had a huge love of reading! And she wasn't the
most popular girl in her class. She reminded me
a lot of me at that age. This book also illustrates
just how few material possessions it takes to
get by in this world, yet still have happy and
memorable times. This is one of those books that
I can pick up and read just a chapter or two in
random order and it brings back wonderful memories
of sitting on my porch swing just reading the
day away.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say?
Not all subject matter is for everyone. And your
choice of reading material may change over the
years. I used to prefer fiction, but now I'm into
true crime and biographies. So if you think that
something may interest you, try it! Your library
is a wonderful place to start - choose a subject
that you're interested in and check out several
books pertaining to that subject. And don't forget
that you can use the Pennsylvania Access system
to get a book from an outlying library if your
own library doesn't carry one that you'd like
to read!
Name:
Charlie W., Prime Stage Teen
Board Member
Favorite
Book: Magician: Apprentice/Magician: Master
Author:
Raymond E. Feist
Age
Book Read: 17
How did reading this book touch your life?
These books are an adventure unlike any other.
A clash of two different worlds on an epic scale.
These books are so imaginative and creative with
characters you can see perfectly in your mind,
and a story that fits together so completely.
Its a journey through light and dark that I just
couldn't put down. I've read them three times
each and probably will read again.
If you could say one thing to a teenager about
reading - what would you say? Books are like
a television where your favorite shows are always
playing.(except its better for your eyes) Reading
can transport you to other worlds, make you think
seriously about our own, or even just make you
laugh. Every book is a different adventure and
there's so many places to explore.
Name:
Robert Chappel, Prime
Stage Board Member
Favorite
Book: Great Expectation
Author:
Charles Dickens
Age
Book Read: 14
How
did reading this book touch your life? I read
the book in 9th grade English class. It was the
first classic novel I ever read and the first
time I ever tried to analyze someone's writing
as part of a group. I was amazed at the varied
opinions interpretations of the novel, its characters,
and subplots within the class. The moral theme
of Great Expectations of affection, loyalty and
conscience being more important than social advancement,
class and wealth made quite an impression on me
at the time.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? Reading is a great way
to learn and explore and is a skill that will
assist you throughout life.
Name:
Michelle W.
Favorite
Book: Angela's Ashes
Author:
Frank McCourt
How did reading this book touch your life?Choosing
my favorite book was difficult! I think my favorite
novel is the story of Frank McCourt's life: Angela's
Ashes. Mr. McCourt is a wonderful writer and his
life is incredible. It had a tremendous impact
on me. It inspired me to be grateful for my life
and to take advantage of every opportunity. It
is amazing what others endure and Mr. McCourt
impressed me so much by how he was able to overcome
such horrible obstacles to become such a success.
I was fortunate to meet Mr. McCourt a few years
ago in Pittsburgh and he was just as amazing in
person.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? When I was young, I
only read what teachers forced me to read. I never
developed a love for reading until I was out of
college. Once I was able to choose what I read,
I couldn't get enough. Books taught me how to
improve my life: finances, God, politics, fun
vacation spots. Fiction became a wonderful relaxing
retreat after a long day. Make time in your busy
life to find a good book. No matter what your
future holds, reading will make all the difference!
Name:
Lauren
Favorite
Book: The Guardian
Author:
Nicholas Sparks
Age
Book Read: 14
How did reading this book touch your life?
This book touched my life because Nicholas Sparks
is a very inspirational author and his stories
are so real. It helped me realize that it is OK
if you move on from someone you love. When my
mom got remarried, I really needed to read a book
like this one.
If
you could say one thing to a teenager about reading
- what would you say? Reading helps you out
in every aspect of your life and it can make you
feel better if you read something that relates
to you. As a teenager, I'm forced to read things
I'm not always interested in, but it teaches me
something new. Also, I would say join a Book Club.
This way you know other teens are reading just
like you.
If
you have any questions, you are welcome to contact
the Artistic Director, Wayne Brinda at wbrinda@primestage.com.
We
look forward to your comments and your support
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