“The Legend of the Jersey Devil”

Will Allen Dromgoole was an author and poet. Born in 1860, she wrote thousands of poems and essays, and published more than a dozen books. One of her poems, “The Bridge Builder,” remains very popular today.

There isn't enough space to include the whole poem here, but take a moment and Google her name and follow the links to read this worthwhile, beautiful piece in its entirety.

“The Bridge Builder” speaks of an old man who has experienced life's troubles. As he nears the end of his life, he chooses to build a bridge, and his efforts are questioned by a passerby. The last two stanzas of Dromgoole's poem read:

The builder lifted his old gray head:

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followeth after me today,

A youth, whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm, that has been naught to me,

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

Reading aloud to children every day builds essential bridges for them.

Be that bridge builder. Our future rests in today's children, and what we do for them or fail to do will make all the difference for each one of us.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Day of Tears” by Julius Lester, Hyperion, 176 pages; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.Through shifting first-person accounts, author Julius Lester recreates the largest slave auction in history and weaves what he imagines were some of the emotions that must have been felt by those who “did not have the opportunity to tell their stories for themselves.”One of the most extraordinary and powerful pieces of historical fiction I've ever read, this selection should be required reading in the classroom, the home, and beyond. Deeply thought-provoking, “Day of Tears” excels in every way.Librarian's ChoiceLibrary: North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West SunburyLibrary Director: Kathy KlineChoices this week: “Is Your Mama a Llama?” by Deborah Guarino; “Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp” by Syd Hoff; “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamilloBooks to BuyThe following books are available from favorite bookstores.“The Kite That Bridged Two Nations” by Alexis O'Neill, illustrated by Terry Widener, Calkins Creek, 2013, 40 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 – 9.Young Homan Walsh loved to fly kites more than anything. Rather than his “studies” at school, Homan studied all things that involved flying a kite: the wind, calculated lift, line length and more.Winters were harsh in Niagara Falls, N.Y., but Homan didn't mind; he was used to it. Homan flew his kite year-round, and in the winter of 1847, Homan entered a contest to try and be the first person to fly his kite over Niagara Falls, spanning the stretch from America to Canada.Homan knew his best chance was to fly his custom-made kite from Canada to America; not the other way around. But would he be able to do it? Would Homan be the first one to span the falls and bridge the two nations?Based on true events, this interesting story is well written, fast-paced, and beautifully illustrated. This selection is also a testimony to hard work, following your dreams, and making one's mark in the world.“The Legend of the Jersey Devil” by Trinka Hakes Noble, illustrated by Gerald Kelley, Sleeping Bear Press, 2013, 32 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 6–10; read yourself: age 8–10.In 1735 the British Crown ruled New Jersey. It is said that in that year in the Pine Barrens a woman known as Mother Leeds was about to give birth to her 13th child — a child she didn't want.It is further rumored that just before the child was born, Mother Leeds screamed, “Oh, let it be the devil!” And when the child was born, it was a monstrous creature that flew about the room and disappeared into the night.The townsfolk argued among themselves with descriptions of the creature, each more hideous than the other.And from that point on, whenever something odd or terrible happened, the Jersey Devil was blamed.Many reported sightings, many were terrified, and some sought to profit from the elusive creature. Even to this day, the story continues to be told and sightings are still reported.Is the Jersey Devil real, and if so, what exactly is it? Or, is this just a scary story that has been passed down for almost three centuries?Fascinating and spooky, readers are bound to be intrigued by this awesome story.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com or kendal@sunlink.net.

“The Kite That Bridged Two Nations”