Happy National Inspirational Role Models Month!
I'm sure if you ask anyone, they'll tell you that someone or something has inspired them to become the person they are/want to be or has inspired them to shape their lives a certain way. According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™: 6th Edition, as far as reading role models are concerned, 82% of kids ages 6-17 say their parents are their #1 source of encouragement, followed by school librarians and teachers. I would have to agree with the 82%. My inspirational role models are my mother and sister. I've always admired their natural ability as writers and artists in general. They’ve always encouraged me to write and to read as many books as I can, even if they aren’t the best at it!
I asked our team to share their inspirational role models – literary, real–life or otherwise. Here’s what they shared:
Julia says:
“My literary role models are my parents. They read ALL the time, and always did, including when I was a kid. Also, my dad read to me when I was little, but also after I got older and could read independently, which is a time when a lot of parents stop reading to their kids. I like that my parents read all the time and had a house full of books, so they showed me how important reading is by embodying it in their own life. I try to do that, too, with my five-year-old.”
In true Scholastic form, Mike says:
“It would definitely be Hermione from Harry Potter. She was well read and always used the power of research and education to be a hero."
Brittany says:
“Right now, I feel so inspired by Sophia Amoruso, an entrepreneur who recently founded the company Girlboss Media and wrote the book, #GIRLBOSS, which I would recommend to any woman in the business world. Her story is a great reminder that success comes in many different forms and it’s up to us to define it on our own terms!”
Morgan has a few:
“Edith Wharton, both for her writing ability and her before-her-times feminist thinking. Sylvia Plath, for her writing ability and her bravery. Hillary Clinton, for everything.”
Emily says:
“My literary role model is Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Growing up, I always identified with her wild imagination and love of books, but I also looked up to her work ethic and unflagging optimism. She always finds the good qualities in every situation, no matter what challenge she’s going through, and that’s something that I WISH I could do!”
Who has inspired you?
