First Place:

Dear Virginia Hamilton,

Reading you book Bluish opened my eyes to a different world and changed the way I react to sickness. I learned that even in the darkest hour, you can find the light. This helped give me strength when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than being frightened when she lost her hair and became weak, I remembered how Bluish looked and acted. I knew that this terrible disease would change my grandmother for a time, but I also knew that I should never give up hope. I tired to make my grandmother feel special and loved, just the way Dreenie learned to treat Bluish. I would give her facials and manicures through her darkest days, so she could feel pretty despite the cancer. If I hadn’t read you book, I think I would have believed that only the worst could happen. Instead, I held onto hope.

Bluish also made me realize how lucky I am to be healthy. Young people don’t think about being sick; but I’ve learned not to take my good health for granted. It is a gift, and not all children are as fortunate as I am. But, by reading Bluish I also learned not to be scared of people just because they are sick. Like all of us, Bluish simply wanted to be accepted and liked by her classmates. I know that I would never turn away from a classmate because she was sick or disabled in some way. I couldn’t because I would see Bluish, and I could never turn my back on her.

Your Fan,
Katherine Petrullo
Forsyth School, St. Louis

Second Place:

Dear Mrs. Pfitsch,

Riding the Flume has encouraged me in so many different ways. One lesson I learned would be that it’s okay to do something nobody supports if you feel that it’s right. It’s entirely better to do the right thing and have nobody watching you back than to do the wrong thing and be popular forever.

I learned that it’s okay to be different. Before I read Riding the Flume, I wanted to be like everyone else. When I read you book I realized that nobody has to be the same. I am happier now that I’m being myself. I still think it’s great to have things in common with your friends and family, but your originality makes you… you!

Sometimes, when I’m angry with my parents, I remember that Riding the Flume taught me that parents tell you things to keep you safe. Even if they seem harsh at times, parents are thinking of their children’s safety.

Even the most bizarre things can do you some good. For instance, when someone says, “That will never happen,” and I’m the first one to do it! Or, “That’s too strange,” and it seems normal to me. Those situations give me a rush of happiness and triumph. Even if my experience still remains hidden and strange, I’ll know that everyone had an opportunity, or chance, and I’m the only one who took advantage of it.

I’m so inspired by Riding the Flume!

Sincerely,

Alison Whitney Faulkner

Mercer County Library, Princeton

Honorable Mention:

Dear Mr. Roland Smith,

ROBBED! Being robed was one of my biggest fears. But I never really knew what happened if you did get robed, but that was before I read Zach’s Lie. Zach’s Lie told me what it’s like to be in the witness protection program. And I now know that I never want to be in it.

When the robbers came into the house and only let the mom say a few things on the phone it made me think what would I do? Would I tell the truth and risk my family life or would I only say a few words?

They way you wrote the book made me feel like I was in the picture I was there when the house got robed I could feel the anger I could feel what a bad time Zach was going through. I could see it all.

When the robbers came into the house it reminded me of when the terrorist came and bombed us. They came and tried to take over our territory. I kept reading the book and when I finished I stared to understand why we went to war. We went to save our country.

When I finished the book, the book made me want to find out more about the police. And so I did and now I have a better understanding for what they do, and I appreciate it. They try to save our lives from danger. They do it for us. And I now appreciate it and its all thanks to Zach’s Lie.

Sincerely,
Morgan Brown
Auxvasse Elementary School

Honorable Mention:

Dear Jerry Spinelli,

I feel this book [Loser] has gotten me closer to my enemies and friends. I think this book has made me nicer, a better person, and more thoughtful of people’s problems. I never imagined someone would have such a hard life.

Everyone deserves to be treated equally, even if there, even if there different from you. I know that now that I read this book, I put myself in the little boys shoes and found out that I wouldn’t even bother getting out of bed in the morning if I were him. This boy has so much hope that I can’t even believe it. I give this boy credit for even trying to make his life good and happy.

Now I try to lead every day in a good way. If everyone just wakes up every day and thinks it’s going to be a bad day, then let’s just give up now. The world would be a better place if we think positive. It would be a better place if we get up and say it’s going to be a good day.

If you don’t give up or lose hope, nothing will get you down. When people are telling me thing that I don’t understand, I get confused. I lose a lot of self esteem. Not a lot of people can still have hope in these kinds of situations. This book encourages me to never give up, and never lose hope.

Sincerely,
Emily Meitz
Assumption School, St. Louis