I grew up in a very small town -- population 1100 – and benefitted in every way from the experience. I learned to read when I was four years old, thanks to a friend who was older and liked to “play school” at least once a day. My first job was working in the small public library, re-shelving books once a week as the librarian’s helper once I started primary school. I enjoyed school through those years, but it was in high school that I studied with the most influential teacher I ever had, Mr. Larson.