Guest Poet and Author Speaks to Honors English Class

Poet and author Aimee Nezhukumatathil visited Ms. Umansky’s English 10-Honors class via Zoom earlier this month to discuss her book World of Wonders. This book is her debut collection of essays about the natural world and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us. It was also named as a New York Times Best Seller, and a Barnes & Noble 2020 Book of the Year.

Prior to her Zoom visit, students read her book in class and kept their own “wonder journals” so that they too could be more aware of the natural world around them.  In Newzhukumatathil-style, they also wrote their own personal essays that both focused on scientific elements of a plant, animal, or insect in nature and their own lives. During her virtual visit, Nezhukumatathil read a short essay from her collection and then answered student questions.  She began her guest reading with a question for everyone:  “How has the natural world surprised you?.”  Students really enjoyed her discussion on writing, nature, and identity.  For many, this was their first time reading a collection of nature-inspired writing. 
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