When I was growing up my family moved a lot. Seriously, we moved more than anybody else I know. I've lived in over 50 homes in my lifetime, most of them in my childhood. As you can imagine, moving frequently, I usually went to more than one school per school year. In fourth grade, I went to three (not the most in a year, not the least, just an average year).
The thing that stands out about the fourth grade is that is where I grew to love reading. The first teacher I had, Mrs. Bothe, read to us each day after lunch. She was reading a book to us that had me captivated when it was time for us to move again. I never could remember the name of that book and it has haunted me for years. It was about a family that was searching for a hidden treasure that somebody in their family left them. Their only clue was a riddle they had to solve to find it. If you know what this book is, please tell me. I want to check it out at the library and find out how it ends (a mere 25 years later).
My second teacher in fourth grade, Mrs. Smith, also read to the class. She was reading a book to us when it was time for us to move on, too. Again, I didn't know the name of the book, but it was a good one. I was totally wrapped up in it and never forgot the main parts of the story that I had heard. Yesterday, I finally found out how the story ended. I was watching a movie with Lizard and we were about 15 minutes into it when I realized it was a movie based on that book that Mrs. Smith had read to us. It was Bridge to Terabithia. I finally found out how it ended. I'm going to go get the book and actually read it now that I know what it is called, but it is nice to have one mystery solved.
So, I solved one of my 25 year old mysteries. Can you help me solve the other? Do you know the name of that book with riddle to help find the hidden fortune? If so, please share.
5 remarks:
Amy-Please insure that Elizabeth has that same love for reading that you were gifted with. It is so very important. Videos and movies have their place, but, in many cases, they replace imagination with their creativity, and you're left with them doing all the thinking for you. Imagination gives birth to your own creativity. Without our own imagination, we will have no personal creativity.
The Westing Game?
Jim, she has it, but it would help if the school didn't force it upon her every night. She has to read 20 minutes a night for homework. If it were her own choice, I know she'd enjoy it more. Now it is work. Know what I mean.
Lance, that isn't it, but you encouraged me to go off on my own search. I think I might have figured it out, but I'm not sure. It might be The Mystery Behind the Wall, one of the Boxcar Children mysteries. I'll check at the library and find out for sure. :o)
oh i so loved that book, i really need to see that movie! i think i'll check out the book @ the library and then rent movie :)
I thought of The Boxcar Children right away, but I've never read any of those. I'll think about it. You'd think, being a teacher and all, that I could come up with some titles. It has to be something that was written before the 80s? I'm not sure how old you are. :-) Could it possibly be From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? But that's not really a family mystery. Hmmmm. This is the kind of mystery I like!
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