Summer 1989.

I remember the summer. My purple room. On my bed reading The Cay.

Summer reading.

I don’t remember the book. I don’t remember the characters or the plot.

I remember being irritated with having to read it. I may have even skimmed it, and not really read it. Unusual for me.

I love reading.

In the summer I did nothing but read. Stacks of Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High.

But, that book. That summer reading book was torture.

I have seen summer reading lists that get it and summer reading lists that were too specific.

I have seen summer reading lists that stayed the same year after year, even as new literature floods the market.

In the summer can’t our summer reading be JUST READ?

Can’t we give our students choice?

Allow them to find the joy in reading? Allow them to follow their reading passions?…

I had another post scheduled for today. But,  I saw this ad from Wells Fargo over the weekend and I felt I had to write about it. Wells Fargo was quick to issue an apology after the outcry on social media. They were also quick to point out that they have donated $93 million to the arts over the years. But, this one ad may have diminished their support in one fell swoop.

I am insulted. I am saddened. I am confused.

The ad seems to imply that children can only dream of being actors and ballerinas as youngsters, but as you grow up you need to gravitate towards a more realistic job like botanist or engineer. Having pursued both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the arts, I am insulted. I pursued my passions after a lot of deliberation. I struggled over my decision to get my degree in humanities as…