I forgot to post the photo of the terrific students I met in Hodgdon, Maine, at the middle grade school. (Help me. Was it Mill Pond Road school?) I wish I had their names. Look at those faces! And something else I forgot to post is a very important letter I was given by Brianna Desharnais, a young girl I met a few months ago at the Conway Public Library, in New Hampshire. I cant believe its not gone up before now, along with a photo of the two of us when she gave me the letter. You teachers out there. Is this not a joy to read? There are still plenty of students who learn, who read, who care, and who will take care of the planet when were all gone. I applaud them all. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Rhymer from the Freedom Public Library.) Brianna Desharnais English, White Block 3, 2014 Dear Cathie Pelletier, Your newly released book, The Summer Experiment, feels like it is set in my backyard. I live on a two-mile dirt road in the ‘middle of nowhere’, and my closest year-round neighbor is over a half-mile away. After reading your book, I realized that there is more to life than sitting inside, either researching the Latin language, or having my nose stuffed up a Biology textbook. I acknowledge your surprise – I am not the average teenager. In my free time, I do not Facebook or text and call my friends (there is no cell service at my house anyways). I now have a greater respect for the life around me, and also enjoy running and biking all over my town, even though I can only travel to a lonely gas station, small village store, and miniature ice cream shop, aside from my daily trips to the library. Along with changing the way I view my outside life, your book has influenced the way I think about myself. Roberta and Marilee have showed determination, anger, and sadness, all in 280 lone pages. I can relate to the determination when going to the Mount Washington Valley Science Fair Finals last year, and anger and sadness when a close relative of mine passed away. The sirens in your book stood out - the silhouette that sat in the back of the ambulance, and the shock when Roberta arrived home to a nearly empty house. I don’t remember the last time I saw a blaring light near my house. If that ever happened in my hometown, we’d all be buzzing with news to see whom it was, similar to what happened in Allagash. Your book also made me think about how others feel. It’s funny when you step into another character’s shoes for a while, then start treating others differently because you don’t know what they are going through, or how they are doing at home. You are more considerate in the hospital and grocery stores, letting others go first. When needed, you help them find the correct isle or item. Maybe you even hold the door open for a group of people in the post office, only to get one tilt of the head or a whispered “thank-you”. But maybe they will pass it on, and so will the next, soon to get to a person in need of a smile or good deed. To me, that is what happened to Marilee. When she ran away, she had a welcoming friend to come back to, who wouldn’t yell at her and immediately call her parents, even though she was hiding in her bedroom closet. They talked it out, and the good notion from Sarah was passed down from one person to another. These sequences have changed my view on life a lot, and I have had more respect for others, knowing that they might be going through hard times. This book touched my heart. From sad to exciting parts, it has showed me how dreams can affect your feelings, participating in both your life, and how you treat others around you. It is also great to go outside and just have fun. The Summer Experiment has taken away any fear I’ve ever had. Cathie Pelletier, your book has changed my life forever. It is more than a few words on a page to get your name on the library shelf. It has showed me ways to not only react, but also, more importantly, act. I can always walk into a store with a smile on my face, and understand one’s feelings, even by first glance. Thank you for writing this book - I don’t know who I would be without it. Sincerely, Brianna Desharnais
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 11:28:32 +0000
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