Fifth grader D’vir Effergan, who attends a dati leumi public school in Jerusalem’s Ramot neighborhood, was awarded an award from Jerusalem Nir Barkat on Tuesday, now holding the title as the capital’s most avid reader. Effergan read 400 books last year, and the city felt it appropriate to award the young man with a certificate on the eve of National Book Week, an annual event.
The 10.5-year-old has a special affinity for history books, and as such, he maintains a regular presence in the city library in Ramot.
“I am proud of reading so many books,” stated young D’vir on Tuesday. “Books help me to travel to far-off places and expand my knowledge. I read two-to-three hours a day, and even more on vacation. Once I begin a book, I usually complete it in 2.5 hours” he added.
D’vir breaks the stigma of your standard bookworm his friends insist, explaining he still has time to visit them and he is also serious about soccer. He also takes judo lessons and even earned a silver medal in his dojo.
D’vir told reporters on Tuesday that the award from the mayor will encourage him to keep working, setting himself a goal of reading 500 books this year.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)