Letters about Literature

Each year, The Library of Congress, in partnership with the reading program of the Center for the Book, sponsors a national contest for students to write a personal letter to an author about the impact of a book. I was stunned by the eloquence of these young students as they describe the impact of books on their lives. Here are a few excerpts from 5th-6th graders:


Dear Cynthia Lord,

It often seems to me that nobody understands my problems, that I am the only one in the world who has difficulties, and I am trapped in a cement box with no way out. Reading your book Rules helped me look at these situations in a different light.

Just like Catherine in Rules, I have a sibling with Autism. Just like Catherine, for pretty much all of my life, I have had to face therapy sessions, sacrifices, and being embarrassed to have my friends meet my sister, Julia. I was worried that Julia would make my friends think I was weird. All the time, people of all ages would come up to me and ask me the same question: “Are you Julia’s older sister?” This really bothered me. I felt like a nobody in a world circulating around Julia. It seemed to me that I didn’t have my own identity. I told myself that I didn’t care, but I lied. Reading Rules helped me realize that I am not the only person in the world that has these kinds of problems (read the entire letter here).

...Thank you, Cynthia Lord, for writing such a beautiful story that includes problems that kids these days actually face. You are an amazing author, and Rules is a simply wonderful story. It helped me through my problems, and I am positive it helps kids all over the world every day.

Yours Truly,

Caroline Hoskins

Dear Lois Lowry,

Even though the word “government” is never mentioned once in The Giver, your book forever changed the way I think about government. Before I read The Giver, government was just a tedious topic endlessly discussed by adults. I realized only after finishing the book that the few, mysterious people making all the decisions for Jonas and his Community were actually the government. Why did they have the power to withhold all of the bad memories, which were so vital for the citizens to be able to live fully? Even though these memories were incredibly painful, was that the right decision? Would I want my government to make such decisions and to have such power? No! A government should serve its people, not shield them from basic human experiences.

Because of The Giver, I started paying more attention to news stories about governments. I learned that there are some governments that regulate the kind of clothing a woman can wear and who can receive an education. There are governments who rarely tell their citizens the truth and punish them for attempting to discover it on their own. I heard stories about abuses of power in my own government: bribes taken and ethical lines crossed.

Still, I realized how lucky I am to have a government that strives to bring such abuses out into the open. I realized what a priceless gift this is, one that must be nurtured, appreciated, and above all, never taken for granted.

I think the best way to help ensure this is for me to be the best citizen I can be. I will keep my eyes, ears, and mind open to learn more about my government: how it runs and the decisions it makes. I will encourage everyone around me to do the same, especially my peers. And on the day I turn 18, my most cherished birthday present will be the privilege to register to vote.

The Giver showed me how critical it is to have a voice in the government. Maybe if enough citizens take this right seriously, my government can serve as a positive example for other governments. Eventually, I hope no one has to live with a government that has claimed too much power, like Jonas’ in The Giver.

Thank you for writing such a thought-provoking, moving novel that has changed the way I think about the world.

Sincerely,

Cori Anne Mazer

Rules, The Giver and the books featured in many of the other winning essays are beloved by our students, who often tell me how a book made them cry, or feel less alone, or experience something so profound that they had to share it. I encourage parents to invite their children to enter the contest; the letter they write could become a window into a young reader's mind that will become a poignant family treasure. The Letters about Literature site has guidelines as well as previous winners. Deadline is December 12, 2009.