you are making history

You are doing something that has never been done.

This morning, you told me that you wanted to read Les Misérables.  The unabridged version.

All 1463 pages. 

I imagine that Victor Hugo would be so happy to know that his book is still being read, and that it inspires the people who read it.  He worked hard to capture a moment in history and challenge us all to be better versions of ourselves, so that we in turn can make life better for each other and generations to come.

Today you took his intention to the next level.  You not only committed to reading this piece of history, you made some of your own.

Santa Maria High School was built in 1892-- just 30 years after Les Misérables was first published.  This is one of the oldest high schools in California, and thousands upon thousands of students have studied English here since those first classes 126 years ago.

To my knowledge, none of those students ever rose up as a class and told their teacher that they wanted to read one of the longest novels ever written.

You are the first.

I am proud to be a part of this group, and I look forward to a great journey together.  Every step of the way -- the insights, the things we remember and forget, the ideas we see similarly and differently, and even (especially?) our mistakes -- will become the chapters of our own story as we study this work.  Can't wait!!

Have a great weekend,
Dr. Preston