Interview with a BookWyrm: My Three BookWyrms

Photo courtesy of PublicDominPictures.net

When I decided to return to writing Blue Sky, Big Dreams earlier this month, I thought about which aspects of the blog I would like to keep: the poems, the word of the week, the book reviews, and more. I also did a lot of thinking about items that I wanted to add to the blog. One new piece that I am excited to implement is "Interview with a BookWyrm", where my readers can share photos of themselves (or their children) reading books and also answer a few questions about their own love of reading. I enjoy hearing about others' favorite books, authors, etc. -- and I'm hoping that you do, too! My plan is to share one or two of these interviews each month.

To kick off this new blog piece, I thought I would start with my own kiddos. (They are captive subjects, after all.) I took photos of each of them reading this week and then interviewed them individually. The questions and their answers are below:

Name: Emmalie

Age: 19

Do you have a favorite reading spot? My bed.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Usually either fantasy or non-fiction books about mythology, etc.

What kinds of things do you like to do when you're not reading? Art. I like to draw and paint. I don't do it at home too much, but I like pottery. And I took up sewing this summer. I also like writing, listening to music, and just sitting and talking to my friends online or in person.

Name three favorite books (or series): Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes

Who are your favorite authors? J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Jonathan Stroud, Jim Butcher, J.R.R. Tolkien, Victor Hugo... the list goes on and on!

What book are you reading now? I just finished rereading the graphic novel Bone by Jeff Smith. I also recently finished another graphic novel, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. I'm currently between books because I'm working on art projects.

Name a book on your "to read" list: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Other than the books you've already named, what book (or series) would you recommend to kids or young adults? The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. I like it because it's an original take on urban fantasy. Usually the fantasy realm and technology don't get along very well, but they do in these books. It's also a very funny and cleverly written series with a diverse cast of interesting characters!

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Name: Nick

Age: 16

Do you have a favorite reading spot? Not really, no.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Non-fiction about animals, especially books that talk about conservation and endangered species.

What kinds of things do you like to do when you're not reading? Spend time outside. I also like cooking, gardening, and volunteering at the forest preserve.

Name three favorite books (or series): Encyclopedia of Animals [by Johnathan Elphik], The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference [by Jonathan Hoekstra, Michael Jennings, Carmen Revenga, Mark D. Spalding, and Jennifer L. Molnar], and Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth [by Judith D. Schwartz and Gretel Ehrlich]

Who are your favorite authors? I don't have a favorite non-fiction author.  For fiction, Rick Riordan and Eoin Colfer.

What book are you reading now? Let the Lions Roar!: The Evolution of Brookfield Zoo [by Andrea Friederici Ross]

Name a book on your "to read" list: The book I'll be reading next is In Search of Lost Frogs: The Quest to Find the World's Rarest Amphibians [by Robin Moore].

Other than the books you've already named, what book (or series) would you recommend to kids or young adults? For young kids: Feeding Time at the Zoo [by Sherry Shahan]. I used to read it over and over again. I loved the pictures!

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Name: Ben

Age: Almost 10

Do you have a favorite reading spot? The couch

What kinds of books do you like to read? Adventure, fantasy, and comic books

What kinds of things do you like to do when you're not reading? Play outside with my friends, ride my bike, build with Legos, and draw my own mazes

Name three favorite books (or series): Bone [by Jeff Smith], all the Calvin & Hobbes books [by Bill Watterson], and The City of Ember [by Jeanne DuPrau]

Who are your favorite authors? I don't really pay attention to the names of the authors....

What book are you reading now? The 6th Bone book and Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy [by Karen Foxlee]

Name a book on your "to read" list: The second Magic Thief book [Lost by Sarah Prineas]

Other than the books you've already named, what book (or series) would you recommend to other kids? The Harry Potter books [by J.K. Rowling], the Percy Jackson books [by Rick Riordan], and the Peter and the Starcatchers books [by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson] are all awesome series for kids!

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Do you have young BookWyrms in your home? Or maybe you are a young BookWyrm yourself? I am looking for volunteers 18 and under (or parents, volunteering their children!) to feature in "Interview with a BookWyrm". If you are interested, please message me on the Blue Sky, Big Dreams Facebook page. I will send you a list of the interview questions which you can fill out at your leisure and then return to me along with a photo of your child (or yourself) reading. (The BookWyrm's face does not need to show in the picture and I will only share the first name or first initial of the BookWyrm, depending on your preference. I respect your privacy and safety.)

To show my appreciation for your participation, I will send each interviewed BookWyrm a handmade bookmark. (It won't necessarily be handmade by me -- I'm not able to do much with my right arm at the moment -- but my daughter has agreed to make some for me and I also have many crafty friends. :) )