Originally from W. Mass, I now live in suburban Arizona. I became a hard core reader as a result of a paper route that I had from 4th to 8th grade. The 2 and a half hours it took to do my deliveries became so mind numbingly boring that I began taking a book along and reading while I walked. I made my way through about 8 books a week that way.

I taught elementary school for 3 years, one in MA and two here in AZ. Fourth grade all three years. Reading was the major focus of my classroom, especially when I started teaching in AZ and all the kids in my class were at least one year behind in their reading skills.

I believe books are powerful, and I hope that more people start to take the time to indulge in them.