1st place:

Dear Mr. Lloyd Alexander,

When I was in first grade I read your book Time Cat and it affected me in a way I never knew a book could. Not only did it give me a different view of history, it also changed my understanding of cats—which I greatly admire—and the way I look at my life. Though these don’t seem important they have had a drastic influence on my life and I probably wouldn’t be like I am today without them.
I used to always hate history class. I would take it as an opportunity to practice my origami skills, or to catch up on homework I had missed from another class. But when I read Time Cat I really understood what it was like to be there when it happened. The way you described how life in a Japanese court, or being a pharaoh in Egypt, made it seem so real. I started really paying attention in classes and if I came to a part that was particularly boring I would just imagine what kind of trouble Jason and Gareth would get into. Now I never get anything below an “A” on a test.
I have always loved cats and, being the believer that I am, always believed that cats could do anything that humans could, even more. I have two cats and when my parents aren’t listening, I like to talk to them. When in Time Cat Gareth talks to Jason and tells him that he doesn’t have nine lives like everyone believes, but can travel through time, I began to hope that my cats would do the same. It must have altered my sanity a little, because I began to talk even more to my cat. I wrote poems about her, gave her little gifts, even tried to take her with us in the car to the mall one time. My feelings toward cats have not diminished at all since I grew up, I just don’t show them anymore.
Time Cat also made me look at myself more. I found that I have a very big connection to Jason, the main character. We shared the same thoughts and feelings about cats, like how we thought they could do anything if they tried, and in the situations that Jason encountered; I would have done the same thing. When I was nine or so I used to make believe that Jason was my twin brother. I actually met most of my best friends by playing like that; they thought it was a neat idea. I still wish that I could have had a brother like him, being an only child is lonely. Your book, in a way, made me lonelier. That is most of why I am the way I am today. Being alone brought a new belief into my life that changed me dramatically. That is why your book affected me so much.
Time Cat had remained my favorite book for years because of the memories of how it got me here today. The concept of cats, history, and childhood made my life a whole lot better than it would have turned out had I not read your book. Every year I bring my old copy out from the back of the bookshelf and reread it. I often like to back track in my life through the events that happen and find the source. Most of them lead to Time Cat.

Caitlin Wanta, West Junior High School, Columbia

2nd place:

Dear Gordon Korman,

I really enjoyed your book No More Dead Dogs. I had to read it twice to really understand it though. My favorite character in the book was Wallace because he’s a lot like me. Everybody thinks I’m great at everything that I do like football, basketball, baseball, and school. I’m only good at two things, I’m good at baseball and school. But like Wallace people think I’m a football and a basketball expert. The only reason I enjoy sports is because I can socialize with my friends. Instead of participating in sports I’d rather do a less popular activity: Quiz Bowl for example. One of my best friends doesn’t like sports and he does Quiz Bowl instead. In a way that’s like Wallace in your book giving up football for a play.
In the way that I’m most like Wallace is I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m not afraid of what people think of me like the majority of people are. I think I’ve gained some respect from people because I speak my mind. There’s only one problem with speaking your mind, it can get you into trouble. I’ve been in trouble for speaking my mind and I’ve had friends who have got in trouble for the same thing. Wallace definitely speaks his mind and gets in trouble for it.
This sounds like I’m trying to make the letter longer but I’m not. I also don’t like books where the dog dies. They’re just a scam to make money. All the author has to do is change the title and put a friend’s name on the book and it’s a best seller. Take Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller. A boy gets a dog and they become very close. Then out of the blue comes a wild animal that attacks. The boy kills it and the dog is done for good.
These last two things your book reminds me of are the two most important things. The first is always to be loyal to your friends. The second is a saying I got off a poster in my math teacher’s room. The saying is, “What is right is not always popular.” I thought it fit in perfectly with your book.
I know Wallace is a made up character but he couldn’t be more like me. I really enjoyed this book. I’m not going to say I enjoy all your books because I’ve only read this one. Good luck on your Mark Twain nominee. At least you know you’ll probably get one vote (I still have to read two more books to get to vote).

Matt McCoy, Clinton Middle School

Honorable Mention:

Dear Jerry Spinelli,
Some books you read and think it’s a great book for a while, and then a few weeks later you forget that you ever read it. But Stargirl was different; Stargirl was a book that stuck in my mind like sticky, mouth-watering taffy.
While I was reading Stargirl I realized that everything in the book was not that different from real life, actually it was the same! Except for one thing—no one is quite like Stargirl. I think everyone has a “Stargirl” in his or her heart, but he or she is afraid to let it out. While I was reading the book I wondered why Stargirl was so kind, open, cheerful, brave, considerate, and so bold. Why did she sing “Happy Birthday” to people she wasn’t friends with? Why didn’t she care what people thought of her? Why didn’t anyone want to talk to her when she cheered for the other team? Why didn’t they like her when she helped an injured player—who was on the other team?
After I finished reading the book a light bulb went off in my head. Stargirl was happy making others happy. She wanted everyone to feel special and loved. She didn’t care if people thought what she did was weird or strange; she did it so someone could have a good feeling inside.
I can see how I was like some of the people who wouldn’t talk to Stargirl. They didn’t like change or difference—even if it was good. Now I’m trying to change and be a little like Stargirl. I try to think of others before myself and treat others the way I would like to be treated. I try to include everyone and not make anyone feel left out. I also think that I am more outgoing and not so shy anymore. I hope that more people would read your book—then the world would be a more kind and peaceful place to live.

Winnie Feng, Smithton Middle School, Columbia

Honorable Mention:

Dear Audrey Colombis,

When I read your book Getting Near to Baby it helped me understand the death in my own life. In first grade my best friend, Sam, died. We had been friends since birth and had always been close. We went to the same church and school; we were on the same soccer team and belonged to the same pool. We were the best friends anyone had ever seen. Then he was gone. It happened so fast too. He was at school on Tuesday and died on Saturday. It wasn’t as fast as Baby but I didn’t know he was in danger until he went to the hospital. And even then he died within 15 hours. I will always remember that terrible sight of my mom coming up the stairs with open arms. The words are still very vivid in my mind. She said, “He’s gone, he died Michael.” That was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Hands down. I went through a period of mourning and I guess about third grade was when I got back into things but I was really changed. It was fifth grade when I read your book. It, I think, got me as close as I possibly could to getting over it. That’s what your book has done for me. Your book described the almost exact feelings I felt. Just knowing other people got through what I am going through helped me.
You must have gone through something like this too. Some authors try to get that feeling of despair and anger and worry that one feels. As a reader let me be the first to tell you it doesn’t work for some of them. For some it not only didn’t work but it wrecked the book. But you, you hit those emotions hard. I can’t quite explain it but there was more reality in your writing. The way you described people was more like I was meeting them than reading about them.
And the bungalow kids, who can forget them. It really does help to have someone on your side aiding you in a death. I also had someone like the bungalow kids. Quite a few actually. They really helped me pull through after Sam’s death. These friends knew how close Sam and I were and even though they had no idea that they were, they comforted me.
You’re book is superb and one of my very favorites. I’ll always keep it close.

Michael Scloetz, Smithton Middle School, Columbia

Honorable Mention:

Dear Coach Summitt,

My mother says my room has a serious problem. I have yet to figure it out, but she says my clothes are changing colors. They are changing into this bright orange and blue with T’s on them, and that some have basketballs and basketball sayings on them. (My favorite is “Every girls basketball team needs a water boy!”) Instead of her telling me to pick up the clothes on the floor, it is pick up the basketballs!
In your last book Raise the Roof, I read every single word and felt the wins and losses the team had. While watching Tennessee on TV they became my role models. But in your book, they were students going to school and playing a sport they loved while missing their families. So I sat up straight, listened and participated. You said the more trusting your relationship with the players, the better teacher and coach you could be to them. I can relate with my basketball coach that way. As our computer teacher, she is fun and energetic, but as our basketball coach, she is tough and pushing us to do our best. A different perspective on both sides of the bench.
I have enjoyed watching the Lady Vols play since I was in the second grade. That’s when I first played for the YMCA and fell in love with basketball. And of course my favorite year was the Cinderella season! I will never forget watching Chamique, Kellie, Ace, Semeka and Tamika play basketball for you. They will always be my favorite players.
My name is Kailee and I’m 13 years old. I love basketball! My grandmother once told me that she has waited a long time for someone in our family to play basketball. She says it is hard watching from the stands and hopes she has enough fingernails to last through my high school years! So, thank you Coach Summitt, for giving us the Lady Vols. Do you think you will still be there in the year 2008? I would like to join your team.

Kailee Cowan, Meadville R-IV High School