Honorable Mention, Level I

                                   

                                                                                    Nov. 29, 2010

 

 

Dear Betsy Byars,

 

            Your book, Pinballs, changed my life forever. Carlie, Harvey, and Thomas J. taught me two valuable lessons. Enjoy the little things and don’t let people put you down.

 

            I think I relate to Pinballs because Carlie came from a home with a lot of fighting and yelling and that reflected on how she treated others. When she met Harvey I guess something inside of her just clicked because she had a friend, so she started being kind. I fight like dogs and cats with my brothers a lot so I take my anger out on other people when I go to school. But when I read Pinballs I realized that I need to hold in my anger or make peace with my brothers so I don’t ruin their day.

 

            When Harvey was in the hospital and thought that there was no hope and nobody cared, I was heartbroken, but then Carlie and Thomas J. bought him a puppy I could only imagine the expression on his face. I then thought about how I complain that I don’t have things that wealthy people have. I know that some people don’t even have homes or parents, so I’m more thankful for what I have now. When I got finished reading the book I thought about Harvey getting that puppy, and that’s how I came up with the lesson “Enjoy the little things.”

 

            Your book is life changing and I will forever stick with my two lessons. Thank you a million for writing Pinballs. 

 

Your fan for life,

Sky Ratcliff