LEVEL 1
STATE WINNER ~~ $75 cash award and $50 Target GiftCard
JOEY JOHNSON

Dear J.K. Rowling.

 

I am very fortunate, because God gave me a smart brain and a good ability for doing schoolwork. But until I read your book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers' Stone, I did not feel this way. In fact, I felt quite the opposite.

 

You see, people teased and bullied me. They would say I was a showoff because I would finish first or second in an assignment. I hated it. I thought, "Why did have to be made like this? I wish I was like everyone else.” But then I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerers' Stone and I saw Harry was like me. He was a kid trying his best to be kind and good, but was bullied because of good traits. I looked at Harry and realized how Harry did manage. He managed by being himself. I realized that was what I had to do. I am me and no one can take that away. Being smart was me, so that's what I'm going to do.

 

So I want to thank you, because now I see things in a new light. I hear people tease me and call me "Smart Boy" and I say, "Thanks.” People don't bother me anymore when they call me names because now, like Harry, I act like me. You taught me to be me, so I will. For that, I thank you.

 

From,

Joey Johnson

LEVEL 1
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Sophia Hurr

Dear Kit Pearson,

 

Your book A Handful of Time helped me realize that even though sometimes you feel as if you can't relate or talk to adults, it may be because they went through hardships in their childhood. When Patricia traveled back in time, she discovered her mother's feelings and how her mother went through life and had hard times. Before, Patricia felt different from her mother. They didn't really think the same. After Patricia discovered the watch, she couldn't wait to get into the world of the past.

 

Before I read your book, I was never that close to my dad. He was focused on work and always believed that to get things you must try the hardest you can, and never stop working. I thought he didn't care about our family. He's so absorbed in his work that he stays up really late at night. When he was my age he was the best in his class and made his parents really proud. I was never that comfortable out of my 'comfort zone', and my dad wanted me to be. This didn't make me feel very happy and often I would wonder whether he cared about me or just cared about my grades.

 

Traveling back in time made Patricia realize that her mother had feelings as well. Patricia discovered that her mother was just mistreated when she was younger and people never believed in her.

 

I can't travel back in time and discover what my dad was like. Reading this book made me realize that even though I can't travel back in time, all adults have been through things just like we, as kids, are going through now. This book helped me realize the true meaning of the saying “‘Don't judge a book by its cover.” The inside of a person is completely different from the outside. The outside of a person is what the person wants you to see.

 

I'm spending more time with my dad now, and I realize that he just wants me to do what I can, and not what I think I can. He's the person to go to for help with science or math homework. I'm proud of what he did and I want to do the same.

 

Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for helping me realize these things. Thank you for bringing me closer to people I have never been close to before.

 

Sophia Hurr

LEVEL1
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Courtney Keeler

Dear Judy Blume,

 

1 used to think it was almost impossible to not say bad things about my friends, especially to their faces. It was really hard for me to say nice things about my friends. Sometimes the words just slip out of my mouth. I have even lost some of my friends that way. Luckily I am a good friend because I help my friends with solving their problems. So we always are friends again. Mrs. Blume, I'm really thankful you wrote the book Sheila the Great. Your book has helped me solve my problems.

 

I can really connect to this book when Sheila is having a sleepover and her friends write down good and bad thing about each other. I really wish I could do that with my so- called "friends” because I really want to learn what they think about my character traits. If I did that I probably wouldn't have any friends, and that would be a sad time with no friends to comfort me.

 

I can also connect with this story because Sheila and I have a really hard time keeping our comments to ourselves. Whether it is strangers, friends, or family, it's all—hard, just like life.

 

This story you have written has helped me try not to say comments out loud, so I just keep them in my head. I am so glad you wrote this book to help me with the problem of saying words that come out of my mouth. Thank you for writing Sheila the Great for the world to read. Thank you very much!

 

Sincerely,

Courtney Keeler

LEVEL 1
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Sheridan Mentch

Dear Ms. Virginia Lee Burton,

 

People have always told me that with age comes wisdom, but for me the older I become the more I wonder. "Am I doing the right thing?" the little voice inside my head says. Sometimes I am just being curious, other times I doubtmyself, not knowing the right thing to do. This happened to me as a young child as well. Although most times I was just wondering what cookie I should have or if stripes and polka dots match (of course they do), that all changed when 1 was about five years old. My dad started to read me your book Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel. He read it every night; to the point where I had memorized it, word by word. Unknowingly I had also memorized the lesson. Hidden in the heart of the story, the lesson to never give up hope and good things will come, changed me. I realized that all of those times I had given up or had not done something because I doubted if it was the right thing could have been different. Your book taught me that a little hope and believing in myself can do great things. I will never be perfect; many times I will mess up, make wrong choices, or not think before I speak. In result I will lose friends, fun and fights: but the one thing I should never lose is my hope. Hope comes with me wherever I go. Just like Mike Mulligan and MaryAnn with a pocket of hope and a bag full of believing in myself, there's nothing that can stop me. Even now I come to points in my life when I doubt myself and wonder what's the right thing to do, but I'll always remember your book, the lesson it taught me, the way it changed me and the memories it made. It now helps me in my everyday life and I don't know what I would do without it. Thank you for writing the book that helped change me and my life.

 

Sincerely,

The person's life you helped change, Sheridan Mentch

LEVEL 1
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
June Park

Dear Jerry Spinelli,

 

Sometimes, it feels like a proton just died in me. There's a pang in my heart, and it hurts. The hurt is maybe people making of me at school. It may be from something wrong I did. No matter what, it hurts all the same. But it goes away, and soon I'm having a good time again. Later, though, when I'm all alone in my room, the hurt starts coming back. It's a lot to handle.

 

My little sister is annoying. She cries a lot and tells on me. She pouts when I don't let her use my stuff. Then she secretly uses them and then I get mad and shout at her. Of course, then she tells on me and I get in trouble. I felt like having siblings was the worst thing in the world. Suddenly, she got sick. She was so sick that her temperature was 107 degrees, so sick that for the first few check-ups the doctors didn't know what it was. Finally, after two days in the big hospital, she got better. I was so relieved. When I was 10, my parents told me that someday I’ll appreciate having siblings. I wasn't so sure they were right.

 

However, your book, Smiles to Go, touched my heart in a way not many books do. I read a ton of books and usually don’t feel any emotions. Your book was different. Will made me feel many emotions throughout the book. When I read about his feelings and thoughts, I was confused, I was angry, and I was jealous. I guess I'm too young to understand yet. He thought that Tabby, his little sister, was very annoying. I was mad at him for yelling at Tabby, when a thought struck me. I was doing the same to my sister. In the end, Will finally realizes that he loves Tabby no matter what happened.

 

Having siblings is annoying. You have to share all your stuff, you have to clean up after them, you have to take care of them. But maybe, just maybe, it's the best thing in the world.

 

Sincerely,

June Park

 

LEVEL 2
STATE WINNER ~~ $75 cash award and $50 Target GiftCard
NATIONAL HONOR AWARD WINNER
JANET SNOW

Dear Susan Cooper,

 

My parents thought that I was in my room reading. They were wrong. I was inside your book. By reading the words on the page, I lived them.

 

I never realized how your book, Over Sea, Under Stone, had changed my life until recently. I read the book a few years ago, and it changed me from someone who didn't care about reading to someone who can't put a book down.

 

I had read a bit before I discovered your book, but, as soon as I had read the first few lines I left my world behind and entered a new one. I could see the sun-baked village of Tressiwick, and the stench of the fish at the harbor made my nose wrinkle. I shared the fear that the characters had when they were in danger. It was thrilling, more exciting than anything that I had ever read before. I loved the excitement and suspense the story created. When Barney reached up and grabbed the grail, my heart leaped, and I felt the triumph even though I had only been reading. Even now, I can still see parts of the book in my head, and I don't think that I will ever forget them.

 

When I finished the last word of the last line on the last page, I couldn't believe that the story was already over. The story that I had been living was still playing through my mind like a movie. I was in awe of the book. I'd never read anything like it. I'd never read something that I was pulled into, and I had never read a book that had been written on a subject that I enjoyed so much. I refused to quit talking about the book, I expounded about standing stones, the tides, and holy grails until my friends were quite fed up. But it didn't dampen my sheer pleasure that I got from the book. After that, I began to read anything that looked interesting to me. I learned interesting facts from every book I read, and I got ideas that could be useful in almost any situation. My grades went up, and I was never bored when I could read. I learned that you can find anything in a book. Books made my life a great deal better, and I can trace my love of reading back to your book. When we learned about the tides in science, I immediately thought of the exceptionally low tide that the characters had encountered when they went to find the cave where the grail was.

 

After I read your book I began to think about life in a different way. I took more notice of things that were interesting, and I asked questions about anything that I was curious about. I began to think deeply about the way time works in your book, and I finally came to my conclusion a few months ago at a Greek restaurant. I decided that time was the ultimate mystery. But the most life changing aspect of the book was the magic that was in the words, words that pulled me into a different life. Most people say that magic is fictional, but for me it isn't. To me, magic is very real. It is the times in life where you feel like the universe is perfect, no matter what is really happening. I would never have felt magic if it hadn't been for your book.

 

Yours truly,

 

Janet Snow

LEVEL 2
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Angela Corcione

Dear Ben Mikaelsen,

 

Thank you so much for writing the book Petey. This book relates to me a lot. Now I know what my uncle is thinking! My uncle has Cerebral Palsy, just like Petey, and my cousin. At first, I didn't know why they always acted so weird. They always stuck out their tongue, and rolled it around in their mouth. My uncle once slapped me when I was little, and I was like, “Why did you do that?” I didn't say that out loud, though.

 

This book explained so much! It also told me that the world and everyone in it is not, I repeat not, perfect. But tyou should always respect them, especially the people that have birth defects. They are no different than you, well, on the outside they are, but on the inside, they can be very sweet! Never judge a book by its cover. If my uncle could talk, and my cousin, they would probably have a whole lot to say. If some scientist was to

come out with a contraption that helped them talk, well, I'm not saying there's not, but if my grandma and aunt could get it, they will be speaking a hundred miles an hour. They have a lot to say, but they just can't say it. So they mumble, groan, and even hit, or anything else, just to try to tell you something. Yon may think that they are being very naughty, but they are trying to communicate

 

My uncle and cousin face a lot of challenges, and so do my aunt and grandmother. They are troopers. They do everything they can to help them. And with my grandmother being so old, my aunt has twice the work. My dad’s side has a lot of kids, so I have a lot of cousins. Most of them are adopted. And most have birth defects. This is very challenging, with so many kids to take care of. My dad’s side is a circus. I really wish I had read this book sooner. This book is very helpful and taught me a lot. So next time I see my family, who live out of state, I will be sure to help!

 

Thanks again for writing such an amazing book that explained so many of the things I thought couldn't be explained about my uncle and cousin, and not to criticize them but to accept them and to know that they are just like us, but unique.

 

Yours truly,

Angela Corcione

 

LEVEL 2
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Sahana Maravarman

Dear Kate DiCamillo,

 

Racism has been a problem for a long time and I never fully understood it, until I read your book The Tale of Despereaux. This book taught me about racism, with Despereaux and the Princess. What I liked about your book was instead of you writing about two different races you wrote about two different species. When I read this book we were just learning about racism in school I didn't understand it at all. I asked myself, are the princess and Despereaux showing racism. Then I realized that they were showing racism, because their love was broken apart by many other different characters. Many characters like Despereaux's family were against Despereaux visiting the princess, they said humans were evil. I guess you were meaning for Despereaux to love the princess no matter what his family says. How you wrote the book it seems like Despereaux and the princess would go through anything for each other to stay together.

 

The Tale of Despereaux also taught me the valuable lesson of always follow your dreams no matter what other people say. I learned that lesson from the character Miggery Sow. Miggery Sow taught me that lesson because she always dreamed of being in the castle and no matter what her uncle said she did not give up. The other day I had to go to a mock audition for band and I was scared to do it. I wasn't truly scared I was just scared that the judges would make fun of me. After I went to the audition building they let me warm up, and I was really scared I didn't know what to do. Then I remembered your book and I was thinking about Miggery Sow if she was brave enough to go to a castle, I would be brave enough to go to an audition. Your book was what gave me the strength to go and do the audition so I would like to thank you for that. At the end of my mock audition the judges wrote good comments and I was very happy. That moment was a big part of my band life so thank you.

 

Chiaroscuro, the rat in your book, also taught me something. Chiaroscuro was the filthy rat that fell in the queen's soup. Many people did not like him because he killed the queen, but that was not his fault he just wanted to see some light. Just because many people did not like him, Chiaroscuro did not give up; he still tried his best to friendly. That taught me to be nice to people even if they aren't nice to me. That was a very important lesson that all people should know. I knew that lesson from before and I would be nice to everyone, but your book just changed my view of it. Throughout your whole book I felt bad for Chiaroscuro, he must have been a nice rat but nobody knew that because he never revealed his true self.

 

Your book was a very good book in my opinion. The Tale of Despereaux taught me many lessons and gave me strength. The book was also very entertaining and eye catching. When I was reading the book I could not put it down, you could say I was addicted to your book. So last of all thank you for writing the wonderful book The Tale of Despereaux.

 

Your fan,

Sahana Maravarman

 

LEVEL 2
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Kloe Stackhouse

Dear Mildred D. Taylor,

 

Your book The Land taught me so much. Like Paul, I am mixed with black and white. I didn't have the problems like he had with his parents. I did have problems with other people. No, they didn't treat me like dirt, but they did treat me differently from my friends and other people. I didn't really think much of it when I was younger, but as I grew older, I started to think. A lot of things have changed since Paul's time, but some things won't change, some people won't. No, it is not fair but that is one of the things your book taught me. Things won't always be fair, but that is life, and there is not one thing you can do about it. You can argue and complain all you want but it is not going to change a thing.

 

Paul Logan had a goal or a dream you might call it. . His goal was to get his own land. My goal isn't that big. My goal is to do well in school. Like I said it isn't a big goal. I will try my hardest until I finish school. I am and will continue to finish my goal. I will work hard until I achieve my goal.

 

Paul Logan wasn't the only character that mirrored my life in some way. I have a temper like Mitchell and Caroline. I don't go around punching people, but I will argue when someone says something about me or my family. After reading the book and talking to people I know, I have learned not to let it bother me. So now I am working on my temper.

 

I guess I have never really noticed how mean people could be, how they get so caught up in themselves, others don't really matter. I guess that is the way they were taught and raised, that they were better than other people. They could change because they have realized that it is wrong, some have changed and some won’t. The ones who don't, they continue to do it, they continue to judge, for what? To say they are in the “in crowd,” like Robert. He got so caught up in fitting in, he forget who really mattered. It is shocking how many people are like Robert. I have learned not to worry. I hope one day they will change. Sometimes when you try to do the right thing you are the person who is blamed for it all. It is frustrating. It wasn't fair then. It is still not fair today.

The book meant so much to me. I think it is the first book I have read that I can relate to in some way. I know my life is way better than the people in Paul's time, the real people. I think that is another reason why it means so much to me. it is based on real people, real events, how you told the truth. You didn't hide anything. That is the real reason I like it. You told the truth and I could relate to it in many different ways. I think it is important that people know what happened. Not just with your family but others too. I know some things won't change, but I am glad some things did.

 

Kloe Stackhouse

LEVEL 2
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Laney Welsh

Dear James Howe,

 

I have read and reread this book many times. It sounds sort of stupid, but I get pretty emotional every time I read this book. It is horrible the way people are treated in this book. No one knows what other people have been through or what they are going through right now. Someone may be being abused in some way. Someone may have lost a parent or close relative (like Bobby). One can't help being born with a certain quality: tall, short, fat. Why would you make fun of someone for that?

 

The first time I read this book I had just moved away from my hometown. I had never really been anywhere else in my life. Naturally, I was pretty nervous. Tons of things were going through my mind on the first day of school. I asked myself, “Will I make friends?” and “Will the people here like me?” That day I was made fun of for my height. I remember how sad I was yet the teasing continued.

 

In your story Bobby was kind to people who picked on him, and eventually they noticed the error of their ways. After finishing the book I decided that I wanted to be nice to everyone no matter how mean they were to me. The next year, when I was in a different class and almost all of us were "misfits.” All of us had been through similar circumstances (like being picked on). Addie and I were made fun of because of height. Others were made fun of because of weight issues (like Bobby). Yet, that year I was determined to be nice. I ended up making good friends and my life turned around. I am still really close with most of these friends.

 

Since then I've made lots of friends. I feel confident. But One thing has changed . . . I am a lot more aware. I never used to see all the people who were getting picked on and who were suffering. I often think about things from their perspective now. Would they know to be nice to the very people who were being jerks to them? I think about how the bullies don't know what's going on in others’ lives. I try to stand up for whoever is being picked on when I see bullying happening. Then I make a mental note to talk to the person suffering and try to be a friend to them. I continue to be nice to everyone, even if they are mean to me. It's a good outlook on life. I'm a better person for it. Thank you, it all started with your book. You got me thinking about bullying and the consequences of bullying.

 

Yours Truly,

Laney Welsh

LEVEL 3
STATE WINNER ~~ $75 cash award and $50 Target GiftCard
SYDNEY SMITH

Dear Mr. Stephen Chbosky,

 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower affected me in a way I never imagined a work of literature being able to achieve—it broke my heart. Well, not exactly the book itself, but the connection I made with it from page one. Like Charlie, I lost a best friend early in my teenage years. I recall our principal announcing the tragedy over the intercom. I remember exactly where I was that day, what I was wearing, and the numb, cumbersome feeling of a swollen grip tightening around my heart. Upon later reflection, I realize that the hand around my heart was the hand of panic, confusion, sadness, and hatred. My first taste of heartbreak was not in front of a troublesome boyfriend, as I imagined it might be, but rather in front of twenty-three fellow classmates. I cried. Afterwards, I made a "Charlie-esque" promise to myself, vowing only to cry when it was for something serious and important.

 

I've read your novel dozens of times. Every time I pick through the adventures of Charlie, Sam, and Patrick, I often close the book and really look at the people in my own life: Are they really happy? Do they ever contemplate suicide? Is the couple's love real? Does he have a decent home life? The anonymity of Charlie's friends and family allows me to naturally assign their stereotypical characters to real people. People I associate with, learn with, work with, and laugh with daily. Is this why you chose to create "anonymous" characters in a work of fiction? I feel as if I do not really know the characters, yet I sense their presence in the people in which I involve in my life. I appreciate the newfound depth of understanding I developed after viewing the world through a wallflower's eyes. Charlie's reflections on life taught me to always curtail my judgments and consider what a person may be suffering through before I design a stereotypical label for them.

 

Of the thousands of words building The Perks of Being a Wallflower, eight of them made the most profound impact on me, "We accept the love we think we deserve." I have found myself in unpleasant relationships, whether it be with family, boyfriends, or friends. No person should ever feel as if they deserve abuse, disappointment, and constant negativity. Your novel reshaped the way I view love—it is not only a mere feeling of care for someone, but also a representation of individuality and self-respect. When choosing who I invite into my innermost world, I opt for people with characteristics beyond attractiveness and amorous feelings, I search for someone who will understand the intricacies of my mind, heart, and soul. Unlike Charlie's sister, I will not allow myself to fall prey to sexual demands, physical harassment, and humiliation. The Perks of Being a Wallflower developed my sense of yearning for relationships that parallel my own dignity and self-worth; I will never allow hateful, malicious actions to cause me to believe I deserve the "love" that masks them.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sydney Smith

LEVEL 3
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Emma Cathell

Dear Laurie Halse Anderson,

 

It all started when I read the back cover of your book Speak, and became completely intrigued right off the bat. It pulled me in instantly, and I knew I had to read it. After the short amount of time it took me to read it, thoughts of the book still lingered on; I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was mostly because of how effective the book was and the lesson it taught me.

 

In my freshman year of high school, I kept my problem inside of me. I thought keeping silent was easier than telling someone and having them listen. As the year went on, my problem grew. I felt like I was suffocating, I knew I needed help, but I did not know what would work. Shortly afterward, I came across this book, and was excited to read it. Speak gave me the answer I was searching for: to speak up.

 

Melinda taught me a valuable lesson that I will remember the rest of my life. I realized it is best to speak up with any of my problems. The first way to fix them is by admitting what the problem is. Keeping my thoughts and emotions bottled inside does nothing but torture me. However, talking about it and telling someone trustworthy lets out all of the stored feelings, which helps me, and possibly, my problem. I never knew how much speaking up could make a difference until I read Speak. Now, I try to always talk about my problems with someone because I have seen the negative outcomes of what happens when you do not. Thanks to the lesson this book taught me, I know that is what is best for me to do.

 

What also moved me was the style of your writing in this book. It was because you made me feel like I was actually in Melinda’s mind. While I was reading Speak, and even after, I could feel all her pain like it was in me. I wanted to help her so much because of how much she was hurting. I sympathized for Melinda through all of her pain and conflict. I encouraged her to overcome them and the scar it caused in her life. I wanted to tell her the whole time, "It's okay, I'm here. You can tell me."

 

From reading Melinda's pain and wanting to help her so much, this book inspired me to help others as much as I can; you never know, they could have a situation similar to Melinda. Now, I ask people the simple question, "How are you?" so they know someone cares. Also the question, "Are you okay?" That way they know someone can see they’re upset and want to help. Even if they do not answer my questions, at least I showed them that they can talk if they want to, and that someone will listen.

 

Speak made me see there is so much more to people than what lies on the surface. For instance, Melinda looked like an outcast to others. She seemed strange and extremely quiet; however, there was so much more to her than that. If someone would have looked further, they would have seen something was wrong, and they would have understood. I try to look past people's appearances because you never know what really lies beneath. It was not right for everyone to judge Melinda, and it is not right to judge anyone else.

 

When a life circumstance gets tough and starts to burrow within me, making me upset, I quickly pull it out and release it. I now know I always need to speak, not keep quiet. Idleness allows the problem to remain. The answer is letting my worries out, which will make them disappear. Then, I will finally be set free.

 

Sincerely,

Emma Cathell

 

 

LEVEL 3
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Holly Dieterle

In today's society, how one looks seems to be the only thing important. There are so many teenagers out there dealing with self-image issues. Looks, however, are not everything. In the memoir A Very Hungry Girl I realized just that. Jessica Weiner gave me a mirror. I was able to look at myself and how I was spiraling out of control. Having grown up with parents always telling me I could do better, my self-esteem began to drop. I never believed I was good enough for anyone. I always tried to please everyone and that began to affect me drastically.

 

I closed myself off to my closest friends and began to become someone I never thought I would be. My grades started dropping as well as my self-esteem. Having no self confidence, I always believed I was never going to amount to anything. Hearing people telling me I was going to fail or that I was just plain dumb began to not hurt as much anymore because I became numb to the feeling. Last year when I didn't understand something I would give up and not care if I failed. I knew in my head I was dumb and I was conforming to the view that everyone had of me.

 

Throughout the book Jessica struggled with a lack of self-esteem because she was trying to be someone she was not. As I read I felt like I was Jessica. When she realized she needed to be happy with who she was I realized that I needed to try and be happy being myself. I learned that you have to try to love yourself even if it is hard at times. I also learned that one can not judge themselves too harshly because you end up becoming your own worst enemy. With this memoir, I realized that the struggles you are feeling you are never alone. There are many people feeling the same way or dealing with the same problems but don't know how to talk about them just like myself. Now when people call me dumb or a failure I get down on myself. The only reason I get down on myself is because I believe I can amount to more than what I am accomplishing.

 

Before reading this memoir I never truly realized how stereotypical society was. Once I read the book I started to notice how weight and beauty control society. I wish it wasn't that way, but I honestly don't know if it will ever change. All I know is that being yourself is the best thing you can do in society today. Being yourself you may not be on the front of a magazine or in the movies but you will be happy. You won't have to feel the pressure of trying to please everyone like I did. I realized all of this from the memoir, A Very Hungry Girl.

 

This one book changed my outlook on a lot of things. I have become not only a healthier person but a happier person. I honestly used to hate who I was while I was trying to please others. With this inspiring memoir though I connected with the character and was able to see I was not happy. The way this memoir inspired me it could inspire thousands of people who feel the way I used to feel.

 

Sincerely,

Holly Dieterle

LEVEL 3
Honorable Mention ~~ $50 cash award
Jateria Pittman

Dear Ms. Anderson,

 

I believe people in the world are all unique. I was always taught that I should be genuine, truthful and caring. Possessing these qualities has made me a great person and I have befriended many people. I loved being the friend that everyone could count on and always knew that I would be there for them. However, sometimes I started to feel like a doormat. I believed that all my friends took me for granted and used me. I started to wonder why being a nice person had so many cons. I didn't know how to say no to my friends. I believed people would befriend me just so I would help them. Before I read Speak I started to doubt being a nice person. I wanted to be careless and mean because those people seemed like they never had problems. After I read this book I realized that being genuine, truthful and caring was the type of person to be, because as a community we need each other.

 

The characters in the book were so unique and versatile. Melinda is a character that every girl can relate to. Melinda was just a fun party girl that loved to hang out with her friends. She always wanted to fit in. I do not know a teen girl that has not felt like that before, because I know I have. Not only does this book tell a story but it gives a story for the reader to tell, and that is one of the most powerful things a novel can accomplish.

 

I understand what it is like to be a teen girl in a big high school surrounded by muscular boys, skinny girls and mean teachers. Reading this book has opened my eyes to the world around me. There is so much more to a person than what meets the eye. People never know what is going on in someone's personal life. Speak made me realize that I should never judge. Honestly, who is anyone to judge another person, because we all have faults. Every person has personal problems and a closet of skeletons.

 

Moreover, Melinda starting high school with no friends set into perspective for me that some people really do come to school with no friends. This made me want to be a nice person all of the time because you never know when someone is in need of a friend. It also made me cherish my friends and be thankful that I was blessed with true friends. One may look at Melinda's situation as she just isn't "cool" enough, that is why she doesn't have friends. If a person took an in-depth look into Melinda's situation then maybe they would understand her better. Melinda's best friend turning her back on her also brought into perspective how cruel the world can be. I think that my best friend would be there for me when no one else is, especially when I'm a teenager. Teenagers can be so naïve and live in their own fantasy world. Unfortunately, teens will discover that life is not a fairy tale.

 

Speak spoke to me in a way that no book has ever done. This book personally taught me not to "bite my tongue.” I should always speak the truth, speak my opinion and always use my voice. High school is a place of discovery and transformation. So I try not to be fake just to fit in with a certain clique. If no one accepts me for who I am, then they don't deserve the presence of my being anyway. I have taken away many lessons from this book. The text of the book has molded me into a better teenage girl. I have a better understanding of what it means to be girl in this world. I know that I should take pride in my sexuaIity, and embrace flaws and all, because if I don't accept myself then who will. I also know that there is always a person that is in need of a good friend such as myself. Overall, I believe that this book has a great moral, that every teen girl can take home and share with her sister, cousin, aunt, mother and grandmother because every girl wants to be accepted. This book implemented what my mom always instilled in me, that is you should always be as true friend. I now know that being genuine, truthful and caring is the person I want to be for my entire life.

 

Sincerely,

Jateria Pittman

LEVEL 3
Honorable Mention~~ $50 cash award
Karina Villalobos

Dear Jhumpa Lahiri,

 

From the moment I began reading your novel The Namesake, I found a personal connection with your characters that not only reflects back on my own life, but identifies others worldwide. The various challenges and obstacles the Ganguil family and your protagonist Gogol faced are similar to the challenges I encourage in my own world.

 

As a Hispanic, higher expectations are expected from me in the sense of living up to my culture, customs, and traditions. Throughout your novel, I was able to identify myself in the sense of comprehending the challenge of living in such a liberal society and at the same time having to respect and follow our "Hispanic ways" as often referred to by my own parents.

 

For the Ganguil family, learning to integrate and raise a family in such an open-minded society and at the same time constructing an Indian foundation for their children, was a complete challenge similar to the one I face in my complex life. Personally I feel as if I were living in two completely different worlds where I literally feel consumed by two languages that create a barrier for my own self-expression. There has come a point where I do not know whether I think in Spanish or English since my daily routine requires the use of both languages.

 

I strongly believe that in the aspect of maintaining a family foundation and preserving one's culture, you do an outstanding job of elaborating it in your novel. Your saga is an insightful and descriptive take on family, traditions and self-acceptance.

 

After reading the entire novel, I was overwhelmed with a sense of self-assurance that guaranteed me the perfect formula of how to live a simple life in a complex world. Through the complicated life of your characters, I realized that I am not the only one who lives in a society where I often hear "do you speak Mexicana" and have to explain the difference between the Spanish language and the Mexicana ethnicity. In your novel I find the missing piece of my puzzle that inspires me to continue growing as a person, to accept where I come from and to live up to my culture despite the challenges that could arise.

 

Sincerely,

Karina Villalobos