We visited Bob Hope Librarian Mrs. Amanda Hernandez during National Library Week to get an inside look into her world of books.
Our first question is: What was your favorite book growing up?
I wish there were just one book. Many books have impacted my younger self. Lassie was the first book I connected to emotionally. The one book that has stayed with me is To Kill a Mockingbird by Haper Lee. It spoke to my sense of justice and empathy. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This quote has impacted my daily interactions with students, family, and friends.
What is your favorite book now?
“Yes, I love all the books. The picture book I love to share and give as a gift is Love by Matt de la Peña. It is about all the ways families express love, like fishing, reading together, or getting up early to work. My favorite Big Kid chapter book is The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. The theme of family, both the one you are born into and created outside of blood ties, is so powerful. The relationship between grandmother and granddaughter is strong. It speaks to the lengths we go to for love. It’s an amazing book. My favorite fiction book for 2024 is, Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power, it was on the Long List for the National Book Award for 2023. It’s amazing. It has magical realism. Just read it! My favorite cotton candy read is anything by John Grisham. Again, justice is my theme, along with Grisham’s good pace and interesting characters. Also, recently, Evil Eye by Etaf Rum, there is never just one book but books and subcategories….and the Ender Series by Orson Scott Card. “
How does reading expand the mind of a student?
“How does it not? From a social-emotional standpoint, it helps student recognize their emotions safely. It gives those emotions names and a way to process them. Fifth graders reading stories about middle school helps them overcome their fears of the unknown. Stories also expand our world - from learning about other countries and their cultural practices to learning about places outside our experiences. We experience things we have never experienced, from what it is like growing up Korean to what it is like to go to space or work with the homeless, or grow up as The Spare, like Prince Harry. Stories also take students out of their current lives. They can live in realms, nuclear families, and perfect love. Reading is living without limits.”
Outstanding answers, thanks for taking time out of your schedule Mrs. Hernandez to chat with us. There you have it, folks, an inside look into Mrs. Hernandez's world of books. We hope everyone had a good National Library Week. We are Southwest! #DestinationSWISD