Sarah Berkov
September 20, 2006
Writing Workshop – Mr. Brown
This I Believe Essay

A New World

I believe that reading is one of the best ways to learn, relax, and get away from the stress of school or work. When I was little I didn’t enjoy reading that much. Watching TV had always seemed more appealing. In about the fifth grade, I became really interested in horses. I wanted to learn everything I could about them, so I started to read more. Whereas before, my mom and dad couldn’t get me to pick up a book, they now had trouble getting me to stop reading. I loved the different worlds reading opened up to me. I could imagine being in England at a boarding school, or I could be with Alexander the Great on his journey to find the edge of the world.

There are so many opportunities open when you read. I think that the best kinds of books are ones about different eras in history, you can learn so much about people’s lives then. Some of these books on history are tragic stories about loss and hardship, while others talk about the renaissance of society. One book I read was about a thirteen year old girl who lost her mother during the Holocaust, and then was sent away to America from Austria so she could be saved from the Nazis. These stories about how hard some people’s lives were make me feel so lucky to live now and to have such amazing family and friends. Stories like these teach me to sympathize with people going through rough times.

Reading takes you away from your own stress, and for me it makes me feel like my problems are so small. I am so infinitely lucky not only to have my family but also have the opportunity to read. There were points in history where only the nobility could afford books. Even at that point, not everyone knew how to read. Everyone has the opportunity to read now. I think anyone who can, should take advantage of the opportunities they are now given, not only to read but in general. I believe that by reading, one can enter a completely different world, and become a totally different person even if it is only for a little while.

I would like to acknowledge Mr. Brown, Wes, and Randa for reading my essay and giving me helpful suggestions.