Dear Vany

Ahead of the first day back, Junior Reporter Vanessa “Vany” Masterson answers a set of back-to-school questions from Palisadian-Post readers. If you have a question you would like to send to Vany on any topic, email it to mypost@palipost.com.

Dear Vany,

I am feeling incredibly nervous about the first day of school! I am starting at a new school, so I am extra worried. How can I calm my nerves?

—Nervous

Dear Nervous,

This year, I’ll be starting a new school as well, so I totally understand the nerves!

Going to a new school can be super scary, but you have to go in with confidence. If you don’t think you’ll do well in classes, your motivation to do so will go away. If you think no one will want to be your friend, then they may steer away from you. You have to open yourself up to new possibilities and remember that other new kids are just as scared as you are!

Also I can assure you, the kids at your school are not going to be mean or rude like they are sometimes in TV shows. As long as you are kind and open, people will be attracted to your personality and want to be your friend.

Even though nerves are totally normal and valid feelings, really try to push through them because, even though it doesn’t always seem like it, school can be really, really, fun!

Thank you for writing!

Vany

Dear Vany,

As much as I try, I hate reading and I know I’m going to be doing a lot of it now that I’m starting fifth grade. Do you have any advice for how I can trick myself into reading more, and maybe even liking it?

—Wanna-be Bookworm

Dear Wanna-be bookworm,

I’m sorry you’re having trouble finding books you love.

Unfortunately, reading can be really tedious if you’re not fond of the book you’re reading. When I was going into fifth grade (I am going into seventh now), I found long, wordy, chapter books not super fun to read, unless they had a very driven storyline.

I highly recommend graphic novel books. They are super fun to read and you will really feel like you get to know the characters. They also don’t take FOREVER to read. These books make reading relaxing and enjoyable.

Now don’t get me wrong, graphic novels are great, but some of the best books I’ve ever read were 50 chapters long. Try to find your favorite genre of books too. Whether it’s Mystery, Horror, Romance or Fantasy, if you find the genre you like best, finding new books you’ll love will be easy.

Remember, core liking of reading will come from the quality of the books you’re reading. With that, I’m going to tell you some of the best books I read when I was 10-11 years old.

• “Drama,” Raina Telgemeier (I highly recommend anything by her)
• “Roller Girl,” Victoria Jamieson
• “Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins?”, Liz Kessler
• “A Year Without Autumn,” Liz Kessler
• “The Tail of Emily Windsnap,” Liz Kessler
• “Esperanza Rising,” Pam Munoz Ryan
• “Out Of My Mind,” Sharon M. Draper
• “Awkward,” Svetlana Chmakova
• “Brave,” Svetlana Chmakova
• “Because of Winn Dixie,” Kate DiCamillo

Thank you for writing!

Vany