Earlier this month, we gathered for one of our favorite annual traditions: the CLiF Community Literacy Conference. Now in its second year back in person after the pandemic-era shift to virtual events, this special day reminded us just how energizing and rewarding it is to connect face-to-face with our fellow literacy advocates.
We were honored to welcome Kenneth M. Cadow, author of the award-winning YA novel Gather, as our keynote speaker. Among the themes he explored was how certain books we read in childhood stay with us for life. After sharing two influential titles from his own youth—William Steig’s Dominic and Fred Gipson’s Old Yeller—he invited the audience to take a moment to reflect and share with one another the stories that resonated with them as young readers.
What followed was a lively conversation at every table, as attendees swapped memories of favorite books and the emotions they evoked. The discussion could probably have gone on indefinitely, had Ken not eventually reclaimed the floor to continue his talk. His prompt was a powerful reminder that these early reading experiences—so personal, yet so universal—stand the test of time, leaving a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds.
These core literacy memories are exactly what we are working towards here at CLiF. We want every child we serve to one day be able to look back upon a book or books that made a forever impact upon them. Our goal is to spark the kind of meaningful connection with reading that lasts a lifetime.
After the conference, the CLiF team participated in our own version of Ken’s exercise, sharing the books that resonated with our youthful selves. A few of ours follow below; we’d love to hear what some of yours are!
Laura Rice, Executive Director
While I don’t recall the specific title or the author, a book that notably impacted me as a child was a YA biography of Clara Barton, the Civil War-era nurse who founded the American Red Cross. I was completely inspired to go into nursing and spent all of high school as a “candy striper” at our local hospital. I desperately wanted to go to nursing school, but my mother refused to support this interest; as an early feminist and chemical engineer in the 1940’s, she felt that nursing was too much of a “female” role and that I should set my sights differently. I went on to graduate school in public health though, perhaps thanks in part to Clara’s influence. Little House books also made an impact on me, but they didn’t make me want to become a farmer. The locusts freaked me out.
Kat Lane, Data/Development Manager
There are two books from my childhood that made lasting impressions. One was Aesop’s Fables; I think I liked the succinct clarity of the life lessons. The other was a collection of classic fairy tales that my mother read to me; a big, thick, hardcover book with shiny gold on the page edges. I only remember The Snow Queen in detail, especially black and white sketched illustrations that added to the mystique.
Sarah Hall, Communications Manager
A book that stands out from my childhood is Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, with its flawed heroine Meg Murry. As a tween reader, Meg’s adolescent discomfort in her skin felt all too familiar. Like Meg, I was insecure about my appearance, hating the thick glasses and heavy braces that were all I saw in the mirror. Like Meg, I struggled with authority figures, and often got in trouble at school for being disruptive. Like Meg, I unwillingly wore my emotions on my sleeve, despite desperately wanting to come across as imperturbable. Unlike Meg, I was never accosted by fantastical beings and teleported across the cosmos in search of my missing father. But like Meg, I would eventually learn how to reframe my perceived faults into strengths, leaving childhood insecurities behind.
Cassie Willner, Program Manager
A book that had lasting impact for me is Bridge to Terabithia by Vermont author (and former CLiF presenter) Katherine Paterson. I loved how the book wove together themes around friendship, imagination, nature, and tragedy. And that ending! I cried and cried, and this is the first book I recall that really rocked my emotional world. As an adult, I look back and appreciate how Paterson didn’t shy away from hard topics and sadness when writing children’s literature.
Mary Edith Leichliter, Project Specialist
My favorite childhood series was Anne of Green Gables. I read it and returned to it whenever I needed a “comfort” read. Anne was my kindred spirit because she was curious and bold and awkward. As a tall, skinny, boyish-looking girl, Anne gave me hope that I would find my way through my ‘tween years to something happier.
Jana Brown, Program Manager
One of my favorite childhood books was Robin Hood, and I checked it out from my local public library many, many times. My love for the story started with the Disney movie as a preschooler, and once I started reading independently, I loved the classic written version. Years later as an adult, I found this same library copy for sale at the annual library book sale, and was thrilled to make it a permanent resident on my book shelf at home.
