For the second time in 3 months, I write with a heavy heart. A couple weeks ago one of the authors who had a huge impact on me passed away.
When I was in fourth grade I was given a copy of Redwall by my parents. Within minutes I was lost in the rich world of brave mice, noble badgers, and diabolical vermin. It was in the series that I learned the value of librarians.
I have always been a fast reader and so I quickly made my way through the Redwall stories in my school library. My school librarian then began offering suggestions of other series that I could read, but also letting me know whenever a new Redwall book was coming out. But the school resources were limited and so I went to the public library. The librarians at the public library took up my cause and helped me fill in the gaps of the Redwall stories by getting books through interlibrary loan. Soon I had read every Redwall book published.
Through the help of librarians, and because of the vibrant stories that Brian Jacques wrote; I developed a deeper love of reading.
Eventually, I grew out of my love for the adventures in Redwall (although this was after literally wearing out several copies), but I never lost my respect for the author who influences my writing to this day.
I was sad to hear of his passing, and I was sad by how few people I saw lamenting his passing. But, I wanted to pay tribute in my way, and I hope that someday my writing will impact someone the way that the writing of Brian Jacques has impacted me.
