When did reading become important to Gary Paulsen?

While there's no specific date or event that marked the moment reading became important to Gary Paulsen, his own writings reveal that reading played a crucial role in his childhood and throughout his life.

Here's what we know:

* Early Exposure: Paulsen grew up in a family that valued reading. His mother was a librarian, and he was surrounded by books from a young age. He often spent time reading in the library.

* Escapism and Exploration: In his autobiographical novel "The Boy Who Could Fly," Paulsen describes how reading helped him escape the harsh realities of his early life. He found solace and adventure in the worlds created by authors like Jack London and Ernest Hemingway.

* Inspiration for Writing: The books he read inspired his own writing, giving him a framework for crafting stories about nature, survival, and human resilience.

It seems clear that reading was an integral part of Paulsen's journey as a writer and human being. It was a source of comfort, inspiration, and ultimately, a catalyst for his own creative output.