Thanks to everyone who entered this week, we received lots of entries in our store and online. If you're listed as a winner this week, go to the store you submitted your entry at with a picture ID after Monday to collect your $50 Bookmans gift certificate! If you submitted your entry online, we will contact you by e-mail regarding how to receive your gift certificate. Congratulations to our first week's winners, listed below:

 

Mesa Winner: Brittany Z.
"Lucas" by Kevin Brooks

Even though I already loved to read, "Lucas" inspired that love anew. The Characters weren't just people in a story, they were REAL. They spoke volumes without vocal chords. I've read this book probably 8 times and each time I'm blown away by something new.

 

Phoenix Winner: Carla M.
“A Day In The Jungle” by Jon George

My father read this book to me when I was little ( 3 years old).  He went away to war & I wanted to read it myself.  We lived with a retired teacher and she taught me to read by reading cereal boxes.  I still love the story “A Day In The Jungle.”

 

Flagstaff Winner: Laura C
Note: Though Laura didn't have a specific book that inspired her kids to love reading, we loved her story! We're accepting Flagstaff entries via e-mail to loveofreading@bookmans.com – keep them coming!

I saw your post on Facebook, and wanted to respond before I read the entire requirements. I know this isn't what you are looking for, but honestly, Bookmans in Flagstaff if what inspired my children to read.

About 8 years ago my in-laws had a house in Flagstaff. We lived in California, but would meet them for Christmas in Flagstaff every year, and one time my mother-in-law took us to Bookmans. My kids loved it! They like the children's section, where they could all find books they were interested in. My youngest likes Clifford, my son is really into Star Wars, and my oldest daughter found a series of American Girl books that caught her attention.

Since we knew we would be coming up to Flagstaff every year, my kids started saving up their books all year long for their "special trip" to the Flagstaff Bookmans.

We currently live in Colorado Springs, but every year, about twice a year, we drive back to California. We make a point of saving the books the kids have grown out of or no longer read all year long, and bring them with us on vacation to ensure we stop by Bookmans on our way. We have multiple routes we can take to get to California, but we take the 40 because we want to make sure we can stop by Bookmans.

Thank you Bookmans for having such a wonderful store that inspires my children to read, and has become an attraction in an of itself to our family.

 

Grant Winner: Tanya V.
"Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli

This was one of the first books that sparked my love for books that continues to this day. As a I child I despised reading and would procrastinate until the last minute to read a book, and even then, would only skim through it; but that all changed the summer before junior high when I entered a summer program. I knew no one, so found solace in books like Maniac Magee where I bonded with the underdogs. Growing up can be tough on any child and entering alternate realities gave me the escape I needed. As I got older I saw Maniac Magee’s deeper issues reflected in real life situations and have gained a deeper appreciation for the book.

 

Speedway Winner: Kelley B.
“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein

“The Giving Tree” was one of the first books I can remember reading that really taught the value of love, compassion & caring for others. It is to this day, my favorite book I've ever read & it was one of the pieces of literature that inspired me to become a teacher!

 

Ina Winner: Tammy M.
"Four Blind Mice" by James Patterson

As a child my life was full of chaos and reading was never even introduced except for what the schools required. At the age of approximately 28 I was traveling and another woman was reading this book (“Four Blind Mice”) and I couldn't believe how fast the pages were being turned. Because I had never read much and never enjoyed it when I had to, I could only remember how slow my pages turned and it really made me feel like I was stupid so I never finished a book. Anyway, I asked her about the book and mentioned how fast she read. Her reply was,"Oh, no it's his books, everyone reads them this way." We talked for a few minutes and at the end of the flight she gave me the book. I actually decided to give it a try. Well, since then I have read many of his books and now pick up others. Today I am buying “Sail” by James Patterson. Thank you James Patterson and Bookmans for supplying them to me at an affordable cost.

 

Online Winner: Lynda N.
“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett

When I was in 3rd grade I picked up "The Secret Garden" from my school library and fell in love with it. The book let my imagination run wild. It took me back to England where I had spent the first 6 years of my life. I became so immersed in the book that I could see very vividly the hidden gate and smell every flower that was described in it. Since then I immerse myself in each and every book I read and am at the Bookman's on Grant in Tucson every chance I get.

 

Check back with us next Friday morning for next week's Love of Reading Contest winners... good luck and keep the entries coming! Thank you to everyone participating.