Danielle Davis Reads and Writes

Inspired by this piece, with children’s and YA writers reflecting on their favorite teachers, here I reflect on mine.

I have three. 

1. Mr. Palmer

Kindergarten, Singapore American School

He was tubby and tap danced. He was full of joy.

He taught me to read.  

2. Mrs. Anderson

Fourth grade, Singapore American School

She wore no makeup and had long black hair hanging like a drape past her waist.

We sat on bean bags and she read us books aloud. Where the Red Fern Grows, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I cried and cried and fell in love with those stories. They felt like home. 

3. Ms. DeGrandpre

Twelfth grade, La Mirada High School, English LIt

She wore huge red glasses and talked funny.

We read Beowulf and Shakespeare’s sonnets and A Tale of Two Cities. She assigned a poetry project that gave me something to care about during the loneliest period of my life.

She told me I was an excellent student and gave me A’s. I couldn’t remember having been told anything like that before.