December 2, 2008
This week we're going to interview one of the world's, not to mention Mt. Blue Middle School's, most outstanding teacher's, Wendy Simpson. KB: Wendy, you obviously love middle grade and YA fiction. Has teaching changed you as a reader? Betsy: Definitely. If something doesn't hold my interest, after 50 or 100 pages let's say, I leave. There are so many books out there, I just don't want to waste my time reading stuff that's bad. I want to be thinking about the book I'm reading when I'm not reading it." KB: If you developed a super power which allowed you to make students who hated to read develop a passion for reading would you use that power? Betsy: Oh definitely. I already possess that power in spades. But seriously, is there anything better than seeing a kid who is not a reader, or is a non reader, get excited about a book for the first time? KB: Speaking of getting excited about a book, what was the last book you read that was lights out for you? Betsy: The Door of No Return was wonderful. KB: Awesome. Thanks! Before we hit the picks below here's a link to something really nice Penguin Book Group has put together called What To Give, What To Get in which a group of great penguin authors, such as Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, Jasper Fforde, relate which books they are giving as gifts this holiday season and which books they are hoping to receive. Worth checking out. |