Quoting How to Raise a Reader

What stories do I want to be a part of? What kind of character do I want to be?

I am more than okay with knowing that whatever life out there holds for them, they will be more than ready for it, having indulged in the stories held within books. They will understand story line and plot twists and happy endings. They will know about character development and underlying themes and sad endings as well. Through the novels they've read, they will know more about the stories they want to be a part of, what kind of character they might be. They'll be better prepared to read situations and understand context and to search for meaning in the face of the seemingly incomprehensible. They will know how to break a story down to its essential elements and draw conclusions. They will be able to read people and situation themselves and others in the world.

From How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo. Emphasis mine.

A lovely reminder about the power of fiction, not just for my son but for me as well.