“But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart.”  As a young girl, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was my favorite story.  My mother would read the book to me when I was just a toddler, and although I do not vividly remember this, she tells me that it made me laugh.  The book resurfaced when my brother was born and I was in the second grade.  I remember picking it up, this time trying to read it on my own.  At seven years old, I remembered why I had loved the book as a toddler, and I still laughed, but this time I was able to relate to the Little Prince’s thoughts.  I was particularly struck by his observation that “grown-ups are certainly very odd.”  After finishing the book, this time with a different understanding, I promised myself that I would never be concerned with adult-like “matters of consequence,” and I continued to remind myself that “only children know what they are looking for.” 

Thirteen years later, when I became a part of the BookEnds team as a Summer 2012 intern I once again stumbled upon this book from a donation.  I went home to read my copy and recount on my memories.  After reading the first chapter, the words sounded familiar, but this time they meant something different.  It did not take me long until I realized that this same book, once again, was teaching me new lessons.  I finished the story and had a sad revelation.  I was becoming one of the jaded adults I promised myself I would never be.  Those “matters of consequence” that as a child I had dismissed as so insignificant had become far too important in my life.  I was too involved with useless facts and figures that I had forgotten about the most important things in life, those that do not need proof, like love and happiness.  I had failed to remember the little things that I once cherished.  Now I am making an effort to balance my life.  I no longer want to miss out on life’s experiences because of my grown-up ideas of what is significant. The world has so many simple pleasures to offer, and I am now allowing myself to look with my heart.

Books give us the opportunity to introspectively learn and grow.  They also challenge us and help us answer those tough questions in life.  I am a firm believer that through reading and education, the youth will strive and grow, promising a better future.  I also understand the disparities various communities face with education.  Through my experience with BookEnds I also recognize that I have the ability to initiate positive change; WE have that ability.  In order to instill positive results in our world’s future we must invest in our youth.  By providing young people with books, we inspire them to learn and mature.  By providing leadership opportunities to young people we inspire them to realize their potential.  That is the BookEnds mantra; building leaders and readers.

Danna Reuven
BookEnds Intern Summer 2012