Debbie has been a media clerk at Bennion Elementary School for 24 years. She works hard to establish relationships with every student that comes into the library and to create a reading community at her school that goes beyond the library walls.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, Prodigy by Marie Lu, and Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
What was the last great book you read?
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
The last book that made you cry?
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The last book that made you laugh?
Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter
What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you the most?
I enjoyed the Nancy Drew series and books by Dr. Seuss
What is the best book you were required to read as a student?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
What book did you hate reading as a student?
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
What is your favorite book to recommend to children?
The Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann
If you could only bring three books to a desert island, which would you pack?
The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda
I also loved Wuthering Heights when I was younger. I think if I was to re-read it as an adult I would like it even more. The Unwanteds has been a series I’ve been wanting to read for a while now. Congrats on 24 years!
I decided to read Great Expectations and give it a chance. Older books are hard to read and understand sometimes. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. Maybe we just need to grow into some books.
I was just thinking about The Unwanteds the other day. I have not read the whole series but I think it teaches some great ideas. Everyone has value no matter what their circumstance may be.
Having worked as a classroom substitute at your school I have had the privilege of watching you work. I admire the way you work with the children and how organized your library is. Well done.
2 of your books for the desert island are books I have never heard of. I will need to add them to my list of books to read. How can you not like Nancy Drew and Dr. Seuss? Great fun.
I hated reading Great Expectations too! It was my 9th grade English class and I thought my eyeballs were going to fall out of my head. I do however, love several of the other books you mentioned.
You have a lot of great suggestions! I will make sure to read some of those you suggest–particularly, The Unwanteds. And I can’t WAIT to read “Forged.”
I struggled with Great Expectations in 9th grade too! But when my husband had to read it for a college English class I tried it again. I enjoyed it so much more reading it with him. I also think the Unwanted series is amazing. It is the series that got my grandson to read instead of Wimpy Kid. You must have influenced him as you are his wonderful librarian!! And Forged in on my reading list for this summer as my granddaughter, who you also know, loves that series so much and has been wanting me to read that for years. And I also want to read I Will Always Write Back. Thanks for all your great suggestions!!