Rockstar Reader: Zoe
The Rockstar Reader series recognises and celebrates our voracious readers here at Hume Anglican Grammar. For this article, I sat down with Year 9 student Zoe to discover how reading widely has enhanced her life. Zoe joined the Year 7 - 8 Book Club in 2021, and I was consistently amazed by her deep insights and how she made creative connections to extend the narrative. “Reading provides me with a way to simultaneously learn, explore and relax in a way no other activity does,” Zoe explains, “when I read, I am constantly growing and encountering new ideas; reading is also a fantastic hobby which brings a lot of joy and peace to my daily life.”
It is clear from all my conversations with Zoe that she is caring and thoughtful, always considering others’ backgrounds and experiences, “Reading has helped me, from an early age, realise how complex and unique we are as humans. This has given me greater empathetic abilities, as well as deeper insights into how we change over the course of our lives.” This capacity for kindness, empathy and non-judgment are much needed qualities in these challenging and turbulent times.
When reflecting on her reading practice Zoe explains, “Reading has expanded my mind and perspective by constantly challenging me. Every time I read, I am being exposed to new ideas and thoughts from a variety of different viewpoints, which can either reinforce or change completely my perspective on events, people or issues. In this way, reading expands my mind infinitely, as I am always growing whilst reading.”
Throughout Zoe’s reading journey, what was the character that most captivated her? “Sammy Lou from The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews. He stuck in my mind for a while simply because of how well his struggles are illustrated and communicated, and how vivid and haunting his character was,” Zoe continues, “Sammy is a 15-year-old homeless boy struggling to look after his autistic brother, deal with his past, and find his identity and a sense of belonging without any parental figures in his life”. This ability to consider life from the perspective of those who are sleeping rough shows a high degree of emotional intelligence.
When asked about the book that first turned Zoe into an avid reader, she answers without pausing, “The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which I read when I was seven, was a real eye-opener to the joys of reading for me. It was a book that showed me how truly three-dimensional characters could be, and I remember this concept really fascinated me and prompted me to seek other rich and well-written characters.”
So where could Hume Anglican Grammar readers start if they are looking for a great read? “Read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton,” Zoe responds, “It is an amazing book in our school library, and the one that is actually credited with beginning the Young Adult genre. The book focuses on two rival teenage gangs during the 1960s while still being relevant to today’s teenager and deals with heavy themes in a powerful and sharp manner. Additionally, I will always recommend anything by author John Green, whose books we have many of in the Library. Green’s novels are always extraordinarily well-written and provide much food for thought.”
Finally, Zoe gives us advice for our budding readers to help them become voracious and avid readers, “It can be so easy to put reading on the backbench, especially with school and social commitments, however my best advice is that you will never lose anything if you read, but you will miss out if you don’t. Even if it is just for ten minutes a day, the proven benefits of reading will help you in your day-to-day life. Also, don’t be afraid to read something challenging, no matter what that looks like for you. Reaching that extra bit further is a great way to learn.” This dedication to the joy of acquiring knowledge and competencies paves a path for fulfilling opportunities.
It is abundantly clear from this conversation that Zoe is an impressive, strong, articulate and fiercely smart person and we are excited to see where her journey takes her throughout her schooling years – and beyond. We only need to read this article to know that Zoe will make important contributions to our society and with her kindness, passion and growth mindset, she is absolutely unstoppable.