Mrs. Rogers 6th Grade Class

One of my most favorite things about elementary school was when the teacher would read aloud to us.  There was something so soothing about the teacher's voice.  My favorite teacher was Mrs. Rogers, my 6th grade teacher.  She selected the most wonderful books.  They were invariably humorous, touching and topical to us crazy 6th graders.  (One example:  How to Eat Fried Worms!)

My absolute favorite book (and sequel) was, "Me and Caleb."  (and the sequel was, "Me and Caleb Again)  The books were written by a man from Missouri, which is where I lived at the time.   He wrote about two brothers in Missouri.  (I had two brothers in Missouri)  The boys had a dog.  (I had a dog)  The book was stories about their adventures in their smalltown, Christmases, experiences with girls, and Halloween and fire hydrants. 

Each day I would listen to the shenanigans that Bud and Caleb would get themselves into.  Most of the stories were funny.   The illustrations were minimal, but they really hit home.  I remember the part where Bud was hunting with an old friend's dog.  The dog ends up saving him from a rattler, but gets bit.  Bud watches the dog die, knowing there's nothing he can do to save him.  I am sure that every kid in our class cried that day.

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Fast forward a bunch of years.  I had been looking for these books everywhere.  I wanted to have them on hand, since they brought me so much happiness as a child.  I wanted to share them with Steven and with my kids.  (even if they were older than I was when I read them)  I looked everywhere for these books.  I could find them on line, but they were super expensive. 

I came home one day to a package.  Steven had found some reprints for me. I keep them on my nightstand and look at them every single day.  These books mean more to me than I can express.   They remind me of a time when 25 boys and girls sat raptly listening to tales of two young boys.  No internet.  No cable TV.  They take me back to my youth and Mrs. Rogers.

They show me that Steven gets me and what is important to me.    Me and Caleb (and Bud) are together again.