Similar story Pop.
a little before that late 50.s . in grade school, not doing well , reading skills sucked. then one day my older brother left a science fiction book, from the library, in the living room and it had a cool illiustration on the front of a guy in space suit with a big globe on his head, holding a ray gun. i picked up the book and started reading. reading level went through the roof a dramatic increase in my grades.