Local author visits RMCA

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Rocky Mountain Christian Academy (RMCA) had a special guest during their book fair last week.

Children’s author Julie Danneberg of Boulder, came to speak to the students and their teachers, and conducted a reading of her book, “John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall,” followed by a meet-and-greet signing.

“John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall” is a fictional tale about the famous naturist and founder of the Sierra Club going behind the Yosemite Falls, and the wonderful things he sees.

Sarah Overturf, librarian and middle school English teacher at RMCA, said it was the first time the school has had an author come for a reading and signing.

“The kids really enjoyed it,” Overturf said. “She (Danneberg) talked about her writing process and shared the book with us.

“Meeting the author takes it to a different level. Seeing that there’s an actual person behind the book — it’s not something that just appears out of thin air. And she (Danneberg) has some good advice. She told them to ‘read lots, write lots and have fun.’”

In the digital age, sometimes it takes a visit like this to get kids excited about a particular book or author, or even reading in general.

“I understand the convenience of electronic versions,” Overturf said. “But I think there’s really no comparison to actually holding a physical. It’s much more memorable.”

Overturf said that Danneberg encouraged the students to write in a journal every day, and that sometimes that can turn into stories. The author also had some advice for the adults in the crowd.

“Some of my best stories come from my teaching disasters,” Danneberg told the students and teachers. “Think about some of the things that went wrong. Those can be story ideas.”

Overturf said that the school may invite an author again if the opportunity presents itself.