It was December 25, 2005. I was twelve, and Christmas was undoubtedly the most fun day of the year. At that age, presents are obviously the reason most children look forward to the holidays. I had spent the whole morning opening a pile of gift-wrapped items and examining their contents with pure delight.
However, it was not until after my grandparents arrived and I had opened their presents that anything of lasting influence was gained. I grabbed a small rectangular box and began tearing at its wrapping. Inside the box, I saw, with an initial thought of disappointment, a book, Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis. Great, I thought, some weird book grandma bought me; I’m never going to read this. However, curiosity led me pick the book up, and, going against every fiber in a 12-year-old boy’s body, I began to read.
Mr. Davis’ writing captivated me. I do not quite understand how it happened, especially considering I had never picked up a book to read outside of school before this, but I could not stop reading. Much to my delight, I discovered that Raising Dragons was book one of a four-part, Christian, Sci-Fi series, Dragons in Our Midst.
Soon after, I had read all four books and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next series by Mr. Davis, a prequel to this one. Since that day, I have read through all nine books in the series ten times. In his books, Bryan Davis teaches life lessons that I have kept with me to this day. Lessons like standing up for what you believe in, how to be a proper gentleman, or the importance of friends and family. In an especially challenging age for young boys, I had these books and Mr. Davis to turn to.
Before his seventh installment came out, I joined his Internet forum and began interacting directly with him and his other readers. Of course, we discussed the story and what might happen next, but we also discussed important life events and how God would want us to live. I even emailed him directly when I was 15 and was chosen to write a review for his eighth book that is published on the inside cover. Bryan Davis and his writings have influenced me as a person, as a writer, and as a Christian. He is responsible for my relatively newfound interest in reading, which has lead to the diverse, cluttered bookshelf in my bedroom.
Before that Christmas, I would rather have done almost anything to avoid reading, but now, I find myself spending a lot of time in my bed with my lamp on perusing the pages of yet another novel. It has allowed me to view stories differently, to look for meaning within novels. There are few people who have had big impacts on my life, but even fewer can match the influence that Bryan Davis has had since my grandmother gave me a book that one Christmas.
Thanks for everything,