Book Reviews

Jerre Simmons

Jerre Simmons is a well known Professional Speaker and Book Reviewer. She was born in Honey Grove, Texas and grew up at Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas.

She received her BS Degree from Howard Payne University

Did graduate studies in drama at Northwestern University and earned the Master of Liberal Arts from SMU
Studied with humanities Grants at: The University of Texas, Arlington, and the Dallas Humanities Institute
Taught at Duncanville High School for 36 years (English, Speech and Creative Writing)
Was named “High School English Language Arts Teacher of the year” by the Texas Council of Teachers of English for 1996-97
Wrote and narrated travel videos on Guatemala and Greece with husband Bill and Nancy Noyes from DHS Media Department for its Foreign Travel Program
Edited and published a book of 100 stories from people reared at Buckner Orphans Home

Jerre’s husband, Bill, sometimes does programs with Jerre

Jerre also:

Continues to volunteer for the Buckner Alumni Association, the Duncanville Education Foundation and the Dallas Opera ARIA Team. She writes Language Arts Opera Study Guides for classes in the Opera’s Education and Community Partnership Program.

Program Material Offered Includes:

RISE AND SHINE by Anna Quindlen, '07-08

Quindlen’s story of sisters, their sacrifices, tragedies, hopes and dreams, is fine fiction. Their adventures and even griefs are life affirming, humorous, and inspiring.

STRAPLESS by Deborah Davis, '07-08

Nonfiction, this story of artist John Singer Sargent and Madam X, reads like fiction. The painter and the professional beauty sought fame, but Sargent's indiscretion with her painting almost ruined and hers never really recovered. In 2004 one of his paintings was sold for $23.5 million! Madame X would surely bring more!

THE BREAKDOWN LANE by Jacquelyn Mitchard, '06-07

Mitchard is among the most wry and observant chroniclers of love at mid life. This is an honest, moving, passionate portrait of what happens when we fall off the track of a comfortable life and how we learn to rise and soar again. It is funny, sad, celebratory and all the things we love to hear about families and life.

The Orphan Chronicles Edited by Jerre Simmons

From the life of the man himself, my own funny, grateful irreverent memories of 9 years at The Home, founded by Father Buckner, and from the book published by Eakin Press in Austin.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

I am trying out this best seller while it is still on THE LIST. I consider it to be fascinating and irreverent, but a great example of poetic justice. Nothing like anything I’ve reviewed so far, it is a mystery, a romance gone wrong and a look at some very peculiar characters.

Evensong by Gail Godwin

This old fashioned story of small town life examines the mysteries of faith, love and friendship. Focus is on the Rector of a local church, a troubled teenager, a shaky marriage and true romance: all conflicts most pleasurable for a good story.

Mary Shelley by Miranda Seyour

Was she really a wicked woman? (An early feminist, Romantic and married to THE POET.) Who invented freedom for women?

A Green Journey and Dear James by Jon Hassler

Two separate, wonderful reviews about an entire town of people who are loveable, laughable, wicked but moral.

The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve

After receiving word that her husband’s plane has exploded near the coast of Ireland, Kathryn confronts unfathomable and startling revelations.

Crossing To Safety by Wallace Stegner

A grand, rich beautifully flowing novel, weaving a tapestry of a long friendship between two couples.

Other Personal Speeches:

1. "I Shook Hands with Shakespeare” is my story of a long relationship with Shakespeare, Mr. Fadiman, Miss Hayes, and Mr. S’s eternal fan club!
2. “How I Ate Fire & How my Face Froze!” (Surprise!)
3. Bible Studies on six different women in the Bible. Each can be an individual program. In addition to their husbands, Eve, Lot’s Wife, Rachel, Deborah, Bath Sheba and Mrs. Proverbs were also chosen by God.
4. “The Power of Women” Shows how over one-half the world greatly influences the other half!
5. “The Christmas Crunch” is a frolic among my favorite Christmas pieces for the holidays.
6. “Do Angels Keep Their Ancient Places?” What are they doing today? We may meet one and never know it!

For more information or to book a program:

(972) 298.2659

or

jerbilsim@sbcglobal.net