Yesterday’s local paper featured a story about a dramatic rescue. Apparently, a 13-year-old boy slipped while wading in Washington’s fast-moving Wallace River. He said he wasn’t scared at first – he simply focused on keeping his feet pointed downstream like a character in a book he once read.
Rescuers say that probably saved his life.
The boy navigated over a 10-foot waterfall, then managed to make his way to a narrow rock shelf just above Wallace Falls –
a 270-foot drop.
I investigated the story a little further and found that the life-saving book was one in the Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale.
This news story reminded me of another book-to-the-rescue tale that I know about.
A few years ago, a woman was busy paying for fuel when a guy leaped into her car and attempted to drive away. The carjacker was unaware that an extremely feisty 9-year-old was hunkered down in the back seat quietly reading one of Bruce Coville’s Unicorn Chronicles.
Well, this little unicorn lover quickly assessed the situation. Then she proceeded to clobber the thug’s skull with her book.
He fled in terror.
So, there you have it…
A boy was saved by a dragon.
A girl was saved by a unicorn.
Both were saved by books.
Can you think of a better reason to write today?
PROMPT: Do it! That manuscript you’re working on may one day be the defibrillating, ventilating, blood-donating, and invigorating book someone in need really needs!
Thank you for the inspiration. Way to go, kiddos! Such great stories.
ReplyDeleteWrite on, Emily!
DeleteGo KIDS Go!
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteWatch out World! I'm in the middle of reading "Mockingjay" right now. I have my bow and arrow drawn - Thanks for the inspiration to write today!
ReplyDeleteKeep Rockin' and Writin'!
DeleteMany spiders have been saved because of the book I fell in love with as a child. If you're curious, check out this guest post: http://jenniferrhubbard.blogspot.com/2012/05/books-of-our-youth-friendly-spiders.html
ReplyDeleteLove you post today, Barb!
Thanks, Angi! I'll be sure to check out that post! And you're so right about those spider lives -- I'll bet I've saved thousands, thanks to that very special book. :)
DeleteI was so compelled by that story of the kid at Wallace Falls. I love that he remembered such a small detail about that book. But I hadn't heard the story about the 9-year-old who hit her captor over the head! That's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe unicorn story came from Bruce Coville himself. He told it when he came to the SCBWI conference a few years ago. He said it was the best bit of publicity he ever had! ;)
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