Linwood duo shows the write stuff in contest
Students pen letters to their favorite authors for national competition
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Two Linwood Middle School students have been written into school history as the first semi-state champions in the Letters About Literature contest sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and Target.

Language arts teacher Kelly Sirna was searching for teaching supplies on the Target Web site and had typed in "teaching resources," when she spotted the letter-writing competition. The program challenged students to write a personal letter to their favorite author, dead or alive, of any genre, and explain how the author's work changed the student's thinking. Sixth-graders Sanika Udyaver and Thomas Tran received semi-finalist honors for their submissions.

"I'm so proud of both of them. I'm excited we have not only one place but two students, out of two classes," Sirna said.

Udyaver wrote to Lois Lowry, the author of "The Giver." She had previously read the book last year as a fifth-grade guided reading assignment and was impacted by the way Lowry expresses how special the simple things are.

"I think she taught me a lot about life through that book. I kind of saw things through different eyes. It may be the only book that has taught me something," she said. "It really touched me so I decided to use it."

The fictional story follows a 12-year-old boy who lives in an idyllic world but then meets with the Giver, who begins to tell of the underlying dark secrets of the world.

"Jonas taught how he needs to love everyone, think about things and give thanks to everyone you have in life," she said.

The sixth-grader said she is contemplating sending the actual letter to Lowry.

"I think she would like it and I think she might think her book really affects people ... and she will think her book is really appreciated," Udyaver said.

Tran wrote to Ellen Emerson White, the author of "The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty." He chose the journal-style book because it reminded him of war stories his dad told him when he was younger. His dad recalled hiding in trenches when the enemy was around and being helped by American soldiers.

Tran said the character of Patrick, a star football athlete who chose to join the Marines instead of playing sports in honor of his family legacy, thought war was "cool." After joining he experienced how war really is.

"I understand that war is delightful to those who have not experienced it," Tran said. "[But those who have], they probably think that war is evil and cruel."

The contest was available to students in grades four-12, with separate levels for grades four-six, seven-eight and high school. Sirna presented the idea to her three classes as a homework assignment.

The students had learned letter writing, as well as reading strategies, expository writing, descriptive writing and how-to projects, during the school year. They also studied language arts through literature circles, guided reading, independent reading and verbal discussions.

Udyaver said she learned that "books teach much more. When you read, you don't always pick up things but when you analyze you really understand the purpose of the book."

They completed their assignment in October and heard the decision in March, finally having a celebratory reception on June 14 at Winants Hall of the Rutgers University campus.

"I thought it's a very special project and something that they wouldn't forget," Sirna said. "I'm so proud of all the students for putting their hearts into it. I'm so amazed at these two sixth-grade students and the sixth-grade class as a whole."

With the end of the school year now here, Sirna suggested a few ideas for advancing reading and writing skills over the summer. She mentioned "reading about things that interest them and taking a chance with something that they might not be interested in initially." She said a teen book club would be advantageous, as well as just reading by the pool or on the beach.

A few selected titles include "The Breadwinner" and "Parvana's Journey" by Deborah Ellis, "The Iceberg Hermit" by Arthur Roth, "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech, the science fiction series "Remnants" by K.A. Applegate as well as any stories written by Lowry, Jerry Spinelli or R.L. Stine. For a complete list of summer reading selections, call Linwood at (732) 289-3600.