A break from the Sandman, now a bowl of Chicken Soup!

FIR RB#5
Book read: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul
Author/s: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Bud Gardner
Story/ies read: 'Ronny's Book' by Judith A. Chance
Date read: July 15, 2010

Picking up a different book was actually a relieving experience. Finally taking a break from reading too many dark contemporary/fantasy fictions (that's a mouthful!), it is a relief to find a book that understands: Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul.
This book talks about the experiences of writers or people who appreciate writing as it is a way for them to cope hardships of life and, finally, overcome them by simply reading or writing. An example of this is the first short story that was shared by Judith A. Chance.

'Ronny's Book.'
Ronny is an eight-year-old first grader who seems to lack the basic knowledge of reading, even though he was older than his seven-year-old classmates. In the teacher's perspective, she is both sad--as she sees that Ronny is lugging behind his classmates and seem to be also a product of a low-class family, as it is evident in his grimy clothes and grungy exterior--and proud, as Ronny, despite the obstacle that he couldn't pronounce words as properly as his classmates could, tries his best and wants to improve very much.
Before the year ends, however, the teacher wanted to award Ronny's motivation to learn, as it is tradition in the class to award the pupils. When Ronny receives the award--'Most Improved Reader'--and also takes the book from her as part of the award, Ronny is filled with joy as he realizes that he had at least gradually improved from his predicament and can move on. The teacher is also moved to tears of joy as she knows she had done her part to help Ronny in learning from her.
Finally a Second-grader, Ronny--who was reading the book the teacher had awarded him from his previous grade while sitting in a school bench--was once again seen by his previous teacher and was told by his new teacher 'that Ronny never puts down that book and wears it like a shirt!', she smiles.
In her conclusion, the teacher states that she is thankful that there are writers who make books for children and had not given up on them, and finally states that she wants to be like that kind of writer as well.

My Insights
I was moved as well as how the teacher was very dedicated in teaching Ronny how to read and had not given up. Unlike Ronny, though, there are still children around who aren't as blessed as he was, being surrounded with caring people, even outside his home.
It is indeed an inspirational read and should also be read by many, especially to parents as they are the sole influences and role models to how a child develops learning.