In this essay, Butler reminiscences on the impact reading and writing had on her life, as well as how she became an author. Because this is a first-person essay that describes Butler growing up, it follows some of the tropes of a typical coming-of-age story, though it is non-fiction. Butler describes herself as a shy, anxious child living in California in the 50s and 60s. She preferred reading and making up stories to typical social interaction. At age ten, Butler saves up five dollars to buy a book. She is nervous that the bookstore would be racially segregated but, to her relief, finds that it is not. Though she comments that she frequents the library, she remarks that she went to the store because she wanted to possess her own book. This feeling of belonging amongst literature and wanting to be part of it persists throughout her life.

At age thirteen, Butler declares to her aunt that she wants to be a professional author. Her aunt points out that black Americans (during that time) were largely not part of that profession. Butler reflects that she had never read a book by a black author. This is the second instance in this essay where the young Butler is confronted with the reality of racial prejudice.