Travelers and denizens

This article came out in the New York Times on Wednesday. It’s about Wilkes County, which is close to where Bobby is from. I think it’s very apt—at least, it reflects my own observations, made over many years. When I talked to Bobby about the article, he was very insistent that Wilkes County is DIFFERENT from Yadkin County, though they look the same to me.

That reminded me of Korea. Koreans will insist that Daegu is different from Gyeongju, but to us outsiders, they look very similar. The people have similar traditions. The food is similar. The appearance of the towns is very similar, in the same way that Korea is very similar to Japan if you’re from the western world (though this is heresy when spoken to natives).

It got me thinking about community and about how I am a perpetual outsider, always observing other cultures but never truly entrenched in them. I see the similarities on a macro level, but I don’t get close enough to see the differences. Perhaps that’s how I was made: a born traveler. Bobby grew up with a very strong sense of community and a defined culture. He has now had his time observing from afar, but I don’t think he’s truly at home as an outsider.

I don’t think the distinction between “traveler” and “denizen” is one of location. Members of the military move around a lot, often around the world, but they’ve still managed to develop a tight community. Outsiders may think the Army and Marine Corps are similar, but to members, they are very, very different.

In my case, I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a community, not really.  I lived in North Carolina for the first 27 years of my life, but I sloughed off a lot of my southern-ness years ago. I was raised by Yankees anyways. The only history I have in North Carolina is mine, and it wasn’t hard for me to say goodbye. My friends and family, fellow travelers or denizens in search of a home, were gone already.

I’m not sad about this. I’m not saying this humble-braggingly (really), but I don’t think I’m hard wired to belong. I think the world needs travelers and denizens, and I just happen to be a traveler.

My least favorite reference question

Anyone who has worked a service desk in a public library that has a children's section has heard this question at some point: "my child reads at an eleventy millionth grade level, but she is eight! (pause for enthusiasm that I can no longer muster). What should she read?"

I never, ever get to answer this question in the way that I want to. Thank heavens I have a blog! So here goes:

The benefits children get from reading are myriad. Generally, when someone says, "___th grade level," they are referring to a child's speed and ability to read big words. These are some benefits, yes, but a small piece of the pie. Reading opens your imagination. It helps you learn about human nature, and how to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. It allows you to learn about different cultures, different places, and different moments in time.

While I understand every parent's need to maximize their child's learning, let's all step back and relax for a moment. Just because little Jenny can read big words doesn't mean she's ready for All Quiet on the Western Front. Eight year olds generally don't care if Elizabeth Bennet gets Mr. Darcy. Why murder a child's love of good books because the ones in the juvenile section are, apparently, not advanced enough for them?

Authors and publishers are very aware that kids who love to read are precocious. There are books that may say they are on a fifth grade level, but contain content that will make a well-read adult think. There are children's books that push 1,000 pages and have multiple plot lines. There is plenty in the elementary-middle reading section that will entice and delight your little reader.

So...what should your budding book lover read? Whatever she wants to. Back up, please, and let me talk to her for a minute.