It's Not Every Day I Meet Another Irene

assembly with 6th graders
at Springville Middle  SchoolLast week it was my great pleasure to spend some time in Springville, Alabama -- which is a mere 15 minutes from my new home! I sure didn't know when we scheduled the visit that I would be living so close by the time the visit came around. And it was such a great day! 
sharing my Ludelphia doll
with some great guys! at the library with one of the classesThanks to the mad organizational skills of Jamie Twente, director of Springville Public Library who (along with lovelies Sarah and Ann!) coordinated with Springville Middle School, all the 6th graders read my book LEAVING GEE'S BEND before the visit. Isn't that fabulous?! It makes SUCH a difference in the quality and impact of the visit. We began the day with an assembly at the school first thing in the morning. The rest of the day was spent just a few blocks away at the library, as one by one, the classes came in for a Q&A session. The kids were so sweet and asked such great questions! 
This was a walking field trip for students that also included a stop at a quilt exhibit on the adult side of the library as well as a visit to the local historical museum. (I haven't checked it out yet, but I will!) What a sweet little town filled with sweet people! I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and for the warm welcome.
AND... I was especially delighted when one girl introduced herself -- her middle name is Irene! Which is quite unusual these days, as Irene is such an old name... she, too, was named after a great grandmother. We had to take a selfie:
Two Irenes!I look forward to spending more time at the Springville Library. Who knows? We might even start a book club... or a poetry camp! Stay tuned. :)