by Debbie Keith
Marian Strong Tomblin spent most of her childhood in Ormond Beach and graduated from Seabreeze High. She then attended Brenau Women’s College near Atlanta. After college she met and married Brooks Tomblin. They eventually happily settled on a farm in Maryland with their three children. When the eldest, Elizabeth, was in second grade, the Tomblin family moved to Florida. Unfortunately, there were no adorable farm animals with which Elizabeth could play. Fortunately, this fact opened the door to a career in writing for Marian. Little Elizabeth loved Nancy Drew stories—Elizabeth’s mother loved Elizabeth, so Marian Tomblin wrote her first novel: The Mystery at Hotel Ormond, to help her daughter acclimate herself in Volusia County. The Ormond Hotel was real. The mystery in 1927 was real. And eight year-old Elizabeth, in the story and in real life, fell in love with her mother‘s home town. The book was printed when Governor Jeb Bush declared a mandate promoting literacy in every Florida city. Marian’s mystery became Ormond Beach’s “One Book, One Community’s” 2004 book choice! It has since been taught, along with three other of her novels, in over 25 central Florida schools. A script for a dramatic production of the book was created, and the play has been performed in numerous schools including Seabreeze, Atlantic, and Holly Hill. Curiously, while writing The Mystery. . ., Marian also penned her second book called Manatee Moon. She admitted she was inspired by a very strange dream of the Halifax River. This mystery captures the imagination of the young readers and touches on science while educating them of the plight of the odd “mermaids of the sea.” In addition, the following of Marian’s books helps engage the students into finding fascinating facts about their home state: Fly-In Fox Tales, Where’s Capone’s Cash?, Endangered, and Matanzas High-History Haunts its Hallways. Each excites the reader to seek answers and read more. Through the multi-media adventure program, Hidden History, Florida, teachers capture students’ attention regarding our state’s past! Encompassing reading and writing standards into the 4th grade social studies curriculum, this program includes STEM, ELA and SS standards. Marian presents Florida’s history as a narrative through 15-minute video segments and a 36-page adventure book. Readers go back in time with a professor and, once again, a young girl named Elizabeth. Students experience Florida’s past, learn about the present, and they all have fun in the process.
On Marian Tomblin’s website, mariantomblin.com, you will find a wealth of information featuring resources and opportunities for classroom teachers. Marian attends Oasis Church, and is a member of a Tuesday morning book and prayer group.