Students get 'write' to expressing their feelings
Sixth-graders get awards for writing letters to their favorite authors
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Four students at Linwood Middle School have received an honorable mention in the Letters About Literature contest, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and Target.

The project had students write a letter to their favorite author, either alive or deceased, and explain how the author affected the student's way of thinking. The recognition, equivalent to semi-finalist status, has been achieved by sixth-graders Megan Brewi, Andrew Lewis, Jessica Mazzel and Dhaval Patel.

For the contest, Megan wrote to Katherine Paterson about "Bridge to Terabithia." In her letter, Megan told the author that she thought Leslie and Jess would be girlfriend and boyfriend and that their imagined world of Terabithia would become real at the end, but she instead realized that everyone suffers from loss.

"Bridge to Terabithia" has affected me because I have lost someone just like Jess,"Megan said. "MyAunt Barbara: she was my best friend, even though she was older than me. We did tons of things together."

She told the author she relates to Jess because he lost his best friend, and she lost her aunt to breast cancer. She said the book is "practically a part of my life" and that it reminds her of her aunt every time she reads it.

"I loved her so much, and now I can't show her how much I love her still. I had to dig down very deep in my heart to let her know I missed her. Like planting a flower, you have to dig deep down in the ground so you can put the seed in the perfect spot. I noticed that other people lose important people too. I'm not the only one who has lost someone. We all have that sharp pain in our heart," she wrote.

Megan had read the book in fifth grade but "knew I could connect to it" because of her aunt. She said the book helped her to realize she is not the only person who has felt pain, and that writing about that pain helped her to express those emotions.

"I learned more about the lives of other people who have felt it … and that it's okay to let the emotion out," she said.

Andrew chose DJ MacHale as his author because of the fantasy novel "Merchant of Death." He said he was browsing the fiction section one day and the book looked "interesting." He continued on to read the next eight books in the series.

"It had a deeper meaning to it. It was mysterious. I like fiction and I like fantasy because I like thinking about what more there could be to the world. I like that there is a connection to us…and that this world can go beyond," he said.

"Merchant of Death" is about a teenager named Bobby who is thrust into this alternative world of action and adrenaline, Andrew said. He is teleported into another world where the villages are fighting, and he has to defeat monsters and evil characters so that everything is not destroyed.

Because Bobby overcomes so many obstacles, Andrew said he learned that "no matter how long you try to keep a door shut, one will always open, one day, one time."

He said he told MacHale in his letter that he liked the book because it had to do with his life, not physically, but more mentally and emotionally. He said he learned about courage and determination, and the need to combat arrogance and greed.

Jessica was inspired by the "Camp Confidential" series written by Melissa J. Morgan. She said she has read most of the books so far.

"I can relate to it because I go to camp, and I go through the same things they do," she said.

Jessica said she has dealt with friend fights and color wars, just like in the book.

The plot focuses on friends Natalie and Tori who are at summer sleepaway camp. Jessica's favorite story was one where Tori was elected captain of her color war team, but since she is not athletic, Natalie offered to help her. However, when a group of "cooler" girls befriend Natalie, she avoids helping Tori like she promised.

In the end, however, Jessica said they remain best friends.

"I learned that you shouldn't fight just because you want to be popular," she said.

In her letter, she told Morgan that she learned from the book and told her she is excited for the next installment of the series.

D

haval was touched by "The Cay" by

Theodore Taylor. He said the story is about a young boy named Philip who is separated from his mother and stranded on an island with a stranger named Timothy. When Philip becomes blind after an accident, he must rely on Timothy to care for him. However, when Timothy dies, Philip is alone and must learn maturity, responsibility and hope.

Dhaval said he liked how Philip's characteristics matched his own, and how Timothy's characteristics matched those of his parents. He also liked how Timothy was caring and helpful, because he said most people would not care so much.

Language arts teacher Kelly Sirna mistakenly found the contest last year as she was searching the Target Web site for teaching supplies. Two students were awarded last year as semi-finalists.

She said the project allows her to focus on her students' individual talents and strengths, and gives them a chance for them to express their individuality.

"Sometimes when they feel they have to do something they feel pressured. This way it is personal and there is an individual sense of pride and control about how they can express themselves in writing and they can shine as an individual," she said.

Overall, the students enjoyed the fictional writing assignment, and said it helped to strengthen both their writing and reading abilities.

"If you tell your feelings to other people, they may not understand you much. This is like a diary; you feel better," Dhaval said.

"With writing, you can organize and reorganize and rewrite in a way everyone can understand, and you can make something childish sound more mature," Andrew said.

Sirna said reading also applies to math, science, social studies and other areas of language arts. It helps improve vocabulary skills and overall communication, as well as the ability to speak more clearly.

"Making those connections really helps them to learn about all different kinds of topics," she said.

The students also were appreciative of the recognition, especially since it gave them confidence to try taking more compositional risks.

"When you're required to do something it's nice when it turns out good and you learn something," Jessica said.

There will be a reception for all of the winners at Rutgers University on June 19.