She is a teacher and author from Berlin-Gatow. Here Jenny Grethen from Berlin talks about her passion, book tips and wishes for the start of school at the Berlin-Spandau town hall. She writes her books under the name Jen Rivers. As always, the questionnaire first appeared in the Tagesspiegel district newsletter for Berlin-Spandau. The full length is now available free of charge at tagesspiegel.de/bezirke
Ms. Jenny Grethen, you are a teacher in Berlin-Spandau and have written a book. It says? “The book is called ‘Close to you – Almost perfect’ and was published by DP Verlag, i.e. digital publishers, as a print and e-book. It’s a new adult gay romance. The Kladow bookstore should have one or two copies in stock – either way, it can be ordered in all bookstores!”
For us short
Is this your first book? “Close to you is my first book, but it won’t be my last. Actually, I’ve always been a disc. Even as a child I wrote detective stories, when I was a teenager it was more like romance novels. However, with ‘Close to you’ I ended my first novel. The idea came up one day – and with the support of my husband and friends, I was able to make it happen.”
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In everyday life you are a teacher in Gatow. What do you teach? “I am a class teacher for a 6th grade and I teach German, math and social sciences. But I also like to be on the road in the subjects science and art. What do I particularly appreciate there? The work with the children. We laugh a lot in our classroom. Of course, the beautiful surroundings in Gatow and the great schoolyard do the rest to make you feel good.”
Were you born in Gatow? “I was born in Braunschweig, but I moved to Kladow when I was a child. From here I didn’t move anymore. I went to elementary school at Ritterfeld and after sixth grade I went to the Hans Carossa Gymnasium, where I later met my husband.”
Have you had a spot in Spandau that is particularly close to your heart since childhood? “Of course, the Groß Glienicker See is simply beautiful, as is the Imchenallee. In fact, I have been drawn to the Kladow bookstore since my childhood. I love this place.”
The town hall reads along: 3 things that belong on the agenda after the holidays? “At the beginning of the school year, I especially care about those starting school who are trying to master their way to school. Here I would wish that they would be given much more support. I also hope that everything will be done in good time to avoid corona-related class failures in autumn/winter. I would also like a sensible solution to get the chaos on the waterfront under control. Preferably completely car-free on warm days.”
[The Glienicker See is often a topic in the Tagesspiegel newsletter for Berlin-Spandau – also in the current issue: It’s about the water level in summer 2022]
For the last week of vacation: A little excursion tip for parents with kids in Spandau? “As an excursion tip with children, I always recommend a trip to the forest. But the citadel is also simply unique and especially exciting for children.”
And, of course!, your book recommendation? Next holidays are coming… but don’t name your book! “My all round book recommendation for young and old is always Harry Potter, as well as the Gems trilogy. Otherwise, I can highly recommend the ‘Kiss Me’ series by Stella Tack. Charlotte Habersack’s ‘Please do not open’ series is just great for children.”
[Once a week, lots of news from your neighborhood: The complete Spandau newsletter is available at tagesspiegel.de/bezirke]
Here is a quick overview of some of the topics in the current Spandau newsletter.
– This is how deep Lake Glienicke sank this summer
– End of vacation: teacher Jenny Grethen from Gatow writes novels, talks about books and wishes
– Staaken-West: Bathing season in Berlin’s smallest outdoor pool is extended
– Where is Spandau’s new rescue station in Wilhelmstadt? Now the fire department is answering
– Memorial plaque to Spandau’s last rabbi damaged – why isn’t it being repaired? That’s what the city council says
– First details on the popular Wilhelmstadt festival
– The forest service in Gatow is approaching
– Church of Grace on the Scharfen Lanke gets Jewish artwork
– Falkenhagener Feld: Anger about Deutsche Wohnen
– These children’s playgrounds are to be modernized
– Riddles in the sky by Kladow and Staaken: What are these helicopters?
– New theater project at Spandau station – in 7 freight cars
– Promenade concert in Kladow, literature festival in Wilhelmstadt
– Triathlon at Wannsee, company run at the Olympic Stadium
– 30 years Saatwinkler Steg in Haselhorst
– Altstadt cinema: Dirty Dancing, James Bond and dogs in the cinema
– Tip for extending your holiday: the famous ferry from Wasserstadt to the islets on Lake Tegel
– Sweet greetings from Denmark
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