First Place:

Dear  Jean Webster,

Many years ago, when I was about seven or eight, my mind reached a startling conclusion:  time goes far too quickly.  It seemed tome that my birthday was over before it even began, that the first day of school came and went in a sudden flash, leaving wistfully looking backwards, trying to salvage a few good moments in my mind.  This remained a problem for sometime, and I resigned myself to an inability to “Carpe diem,” until one very special day – the day when I read Judy Abbot’s best and deepest lines in your novel, Daddy-Long-Legs:  “I’m going to enjoy every second, and I’m going to know I’m enjoying it while I’m enjoying it,” soon after followed by, “I’ve decided to sit down by the way and pile up a lot of little happinesses, even if I never become a Great Author.”  Little did I know it then, but those words would help me preserve some of the most precious moments in my life.

At first, after reading that passage, I didn’t think about it very much.  Life went on in a succession of monotonous events, broken here and there by one of some interest.  And then—it was a rainy summer’s day, and I had curled up in an armchair at the public library.  In my hands was a deliciously eerie mystery, and in my mind there was a blur of excited, happy thoughts tinged with fear over the fate of the heroine.  I was in the process of turning a page when the thought struck me:  soon this story will be over, and I can never feel just like this about it again.  I will never be ten years old, sitting here in this same seat, with this same rain coming down outside the window.  I was overwhelmed by this thought when another came into my mind:  Judy’s philosophy.  Could this be one of the “little happinessess” of which she had spoken – this seemingly trivial moment?  I decided to experiment; closing my eyes, I concentrated on how glad I was that the murderer in the book was about to be exposed, that the weather was perfect for reading a frightening tale, that it was summer and I had no worries.  It lasted only a second, but that second was enough.  I knew I was enjoying my life, and this instant would forever be suspended in memory, clean and pure.

That day in the library still comes back to me now, though it occurred three years ago.  I can remember that feeling of having painted a picture of my feelings then – a picture that, even when I am old, will be with me.  Such an incident has occurred several times, but, oddly enough, no at what others might call important times in my life:  settling down to a satisfying book on a carefree day, baking cookies on a quiet afternoon, attempting to write my own sonnet after reading a particularly moving one.  At these instants, I have tried to realize how contented I am, how glad to be alive, so that in the end, no matter what becomes of my life, I will have them with me, forever.

And so, Ms. Webster, thank you – for giving me this method of making time stand still, a way to truly “seize the day.”

Sincerely,

Pari Jafari
Grade 8
West Junior High School
Columbia

Second Place:

Dear  David Pelzer,

            I never really liked to read.  I felt as if it was useless to read about a made up life, or a biography that felt like a time line.  But since I am a trend follower, I set out to read A Child Called “It”, just because everyone else was reading it.  When I turned the first page, I had no idea what I was in for.

            After the first chapter, I convinced myself that the story was fiction, because I couldn’t handle the pain and agony of it all.  After reading the back of the book a million times, I had to tell myself it wasn’t fiction after all.  It was compelling when I heard of all the torturous games your mother played on you.  Reading that your mother burned you on your kitchen stove, immediately reminded me of how I once stubbed my toe.  It couldn’t even begin to compare to what it felt like to be forced onto a sizzling surface.  Your experiences have taught me to remember there is someone who is worse off than me.

            A Child Called “It” has made me want to help others because I have realized how truly lucky I am.  I am Jewish and about to have my bat mitzvah.  Prior to becoming a bat mitzvah, we are asked to pick an organization to contribute to.  When I had to pick what I was going to do…I thought about your book, and came to the conclusion I wanted to help kids who are being abused, or a charity that will help feed the hungry.  After looking into many different charities, I decided to participate in the Great American Bake Sale.  Many different people all over America bake something like cookies or cakes, and sell them to others.  When they are done selling, the proceeds go to help stop hunger in America.  I feel as if this organization really helps those in need.

            I find it hard to hear of someone in need of help without wanting desperately to do what I can for them.  You have really taught me an important lesion.  And that is I can’t take my life for granted.  I should be thankful for what I have.  Thank you for teaching me what I will need to know for the rest of my life.

            I really never thought that words on a piece of paper could have such a profound and unbelievable impact on me.  But your book has changed my perspective on life, and helped me become more compassionate for others.

Sincerely,

Emily Gerst
Grade 7
Rockwood South Middle School
Fenton

Honorable Mention:

Dear  Ms. Lurlene McDaniel,

            I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere.  We don’t see very many tragic accidents.  We don’t have any hospitals in our tiny town, which is one reason that I believe I like your books.  My favorite book that you have written is The Girl Death Left Behind.  It opened my eyes to things I have never seen.  It tells you how people feel and you can relate easily to them.  It tells of a life changing event and how people react.  It tells of loved ones dying, and coming to realize that there was nothing you could do about it.

            Another reason I like the book so much was that the characters were realistic.  I could easily put myself in their shoes.  I could feel the sadness of losing someone close to you, and the joy of friendship.  I recognized their strengths and weaknesses and could easily compare them to my own.  I felt as though I were in the book.  I was the one fighting the feelings of guilt and confusion.

            I think that the book made me more thankful for my family.  I know the feeling of wanting to avoid “family activities.”  I know that your family can drive you crazy, but you still can’t imagine losing them.  To wake up from a nap and to be greeted by a police officer with the “bad news.”  I can’t imagine being the only one left!  In a few minutes you went from belonging to a family of four to being alone.  With this in mind my little sister’s constant teasing doesn’t seem quite so annoying.

            After reading this book, my outlook on life is much more forgiving.  I am thankful for my family and friends.  I now cherish all of the moments we spend together.  I realize how much my friends support me.  I appreciate the little things in life.  The Girl Death Left Behind is a touching story that almost everyone can relate to.  It makes you realize that the happy times with your family make up for all of the rough moments.

Sincerely,

Courtney Hofstetter
Grade 8
St. James Middle School
St. James

Honorable Mention:

Dear  Madeline L ‘Engle,

            Only known to a few, lately I have secretly studied the stars.  Your books inspired that in me.  I now look for secrets or messages sent to me from God, held in the stars.  I now seem to see the stars more clearly.  Every time I glance at the starlit sky, it takes my breath.  As I study the stars, they get brighter, and fascination overtakes me.  I never before have been interested in Science.  This is not a little know fact between my friends and family.  But after reading this book, the way that science ties into fiction, the Bible, and other interesting references so smoothly catches my attention.  Now an astronomer has been added to my list of career possibilities.

            I can honestly relate to some of the characters and have friends that do as well.  I personally relate to Calvin.  I’m one whom others might consider a “popular person.”  Really I’m misunderstood by many of my “popular friends.”  They think that I’m just a smart, jock like character.  Truly I’m not smart, just clever.  Unlike C. O’Keefe, my jockness can be explained.  A few gene inheritances with some practice, and I’m a reasonable enough player to make the all-stars.  But I’m truly misleading in the way I appear.  Only a few close, chosen friends have ever seen me as my true self.  Like Calvin, I’m truly laid back, sharp, and clever.  Unlike Calvin I live a reasonable life.  I may not be wealthy, but I’m neither money-needing.  I live a normal life with all the basic needs.  I am very content with where I am in society and how I can affect it.

            From what I have obtained from your fascinatingly enchanting adventures, I now have an idea of what I can do in society to change it for the better.  Many Waters has changed my idea that even if you’re out of the ordinary, help is still needed from you.  In a Wind in the Door, I’ve learned that believing is a key ingredient to accomplishment, idea-making, and eventually, success.    In the first wonder, A Wrinkle in Time, I learned that determination and focus could ultimately appear as a life changing experience. 

            Altogether the series is life changing.  Without these books, much of my insight would be channeled to a much less interesting writing form. Now that I’ve read this set of books, a whole new door has been opened in my creative mind that will someday be put to use and will help me in the real world.  After reading the last book, I stepped back and took a look at myself from an outside view.  A teenage boy who thinks he knows the world like an old history book.  I have since that time changed my complete writing and thinking process when comprising a hopeful story.  I give great thanks to the creativeness and intellect of this particular author that my inspiration is not what it once was.  Now it is aimed to a higher, more complex, and a completely new aspect of admiration of what is capturing to others.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Priday
Grade 7
Individual Entry
Sikeston