photo Cheryl Mizerny

Hey there, Cheryl. It’s so great to have you join me here today and thanks for supporting our #MGGetsReal campaign—spotlighting books with tough topics for real kids. We love educators and appreciate all you do on a daily basis. Keep on rocking in that classroom of yours. Now let’s get started because I’m excited to learn more about you.

1. Let’s start with the important question first: Where would you go in a time machine?

Back to 2001 when my grandmother was still alive so we could stay up all night talking and I could ask her everything I never did.

2. What do you think your students love most about books/reading?

I believe my students love reading most because of the transformative power of books. Stories can be windows (a view into an unfamiliar world), mirrors (an opportunity to see themselves in literature), or doors (the ability to open their minds and figure things out).

3. If you could be college roommates with any author, who would you pick and why?

I would love to have been a college roommate with Beverly Cleary (if we could be the same age). Her Ramona books were my mirror in elementary school and got me through some tough times. I would want to thank her every day for this gift.

4. Favorite and least favorite things about being a teacher?

To quote Todd Whitaker: “The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day.” This is both my favorite and least favorite thing about being a teacher.

5. If you could tag one other person (author, librarian, teacher, other) for this Five in Five, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?

I would love to tag Anne Lamott, Joan Didion, or David Sedaris. I would ask (beg) them to please come teach a master class on essay writing to my 6th graders and me. Dream come true!

Yes, that would be amazingly cool, and if they decide to come, let me know because I’d do just about anything to join you guys. Awesome. Thanks so much for being here, and I wish you and your students a great year. Happy reading!

You can follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylTeaches

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