The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Two Rivers Reading Series welcomes author Sandra Benitez for a reading and questions, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 10 to 11 a.m., and again 11 a.m. to12 p.m., in the Coon Rapids Campus Legacy Room. A conversation with English Faculty member, Scott Wrobel will follow from 1 to 2 p.m.

“We are honored to have Sandra Benitez coming to our campus for a day,” says English Faculty member, Kathryn Kysar.  “Ms. Benitez is one of the most preeminent fiction writers in our state. She is an engaging and dynamic speaker, and we are thrilled to have someone of her caliber working with our students.”

Benitez is an award-winning author of four novels and a memoir. At Anoka-Ramsey, she will read from and discuss her novel “The Weight of All Things.” The novel, placed in the war in El Salvador, is seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy who begins an odyssey that leads from one peril to another.

“By reading this novel, students have learned of the history and culture of El Salvador while strengthening their analytical skills,” says Kysar.  “Instilling a love of life-long learning is one of our goals at Anoka-Ramsey, and enriching students' reading experiences moves us toward this goal.”

The Benitez visit is part of the Two Rivers Reading series hosted by the Anoka-Ramsey English and Reading departments. The series, now in its 12th year, is intended to create a common book experience for students and strengthen the academic community. Many students have never met an author before. This experience of reading a book, then interacting with the author deepens and strengthens their relationship with the book.

The next author in the series, also an Anoka-Ramsey English Faculty member, is Geoff Herbach who will read from his novel, “The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg,” Nov. 18.

For more information about this event or the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Two Rivers Reading Series, contact English Faculty member, Kathryn Kysar at 763-433-1256. For more information about public events at the college, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Two River Reading Series welcomes author Sandra Benitez, Tuesday, Oct. 13 10 to11 a.m. and again 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Coon Rapids Campus Legacy Room for reading and student questions.