Maryna Doughty

Writer + Former Teacher + Christian

ABOUT MARYNA

     Hi, everyone! I'm Maryna (pronounced like Marina). I'm a writer currently working towards publishing a middle-grade novel and picture books. Prior to writing, I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education from Arizona State University, and I taught 4th and 5th grade for six years. Four of those years at Rancho Solano Preparatory School in Gilbert & Scottsdale, Arizona. Two of those years at Sierra School in Santa Clara, California. My favorite part of the school day was always reading aloud to my students.

    I grew up in a blended family in Glendale, Arizona, and I now live in Southern California with my husband and two sons.

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MY PASSIONS:

   -Expressing myself through writing fictional stories

   -Helping moms & teachers instill a passion for reading in their kids

   -Discussing relationships & seeking biblical truths about dealing with dysfunction

   -Serving and loving my husband

   -Being a stay-at-home mom so I can raise my children

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My Writing Accomplishments

1st Place in Vivian Kirkfield's 2020 #50PreciousWords Contest

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6th Place in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Halloweensie Contest

 

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Winning Entry in Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez's 2019 Fall Frenzy Writing Contest

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Favorite Books

NON-FICTION:

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Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend 

 

Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud

 

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker 

 

Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe by Gavin de Becker

 

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

 

The Reading Zone: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers by Nancie Atwell and Anne Atwell Merkel

 

Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

 

 

THRILLER:

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The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine 

 

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MIDDLE-GRADE:

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Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

 

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

 

The Stepmom Shake-Up by Niki Lenz

 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

 

Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

 

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

 

The Wide-Awake Princess series by E.D. Baker

 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

 

The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey

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CHAPTER BOOKS:

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Wild Fairies series by Brandi Dougherty

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Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

 

 

PICTURE BOOKS

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I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

 

Summer Color by Diana Murray

 

It's Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk

 

The One-Stop Story Shop by Tracey Corderoy

 

A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale by Penny Parker Klostermann 

 

I'm Sorry! By Barry Timms

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An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones

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BOARD BOOKS:

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Bunny Breaths by Kira Willey

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The Little Blue Truck series by Alice Schertle

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