Journeys: Young Readers' Letters to Authors Who Changed Their Lives

by Catherine Gourley (Editor)

Books can change lives -- and here are more than fifty powerful letters from young readers to authors revealing some of the ways that is true.

Annie Schnitzer tells Elie Wiesel, "Reading your story allowed me to connect with my own history," explaining how reading his memoir deepened her understanding of her grandparents' plight during the Holocaust. After reading The House on Mango Street, Julia Mueller writes to Sandra Cisneros, "You didn't tell me how to pull myself back together; you just showed me that I could. I was tired of trying to be somebody else's definition of beautiful, and you told me that was okay." Culled from the Letters About Literature contest of the Library of Congress Center for the Book, the fifty-two letters in this collection -- written by students in grades four through twelve -- reveal how deeply books and poetry affect the lives of readers. Offering letters that are as profound as they are personal and as moving as they are enlightening, this collection, which also features artwork by some of the contest entrants, provides a glimpse into young people's lives and their connections -- both expected and unexpected -- to the written word.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Childrens

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2017

About the author

As a nonfiction author speciailizing in social history, Cathy spends a great deal of time researching the past. Her research has taken her into the belly of a whaleship on an icy January morning in Mystic, Connecticut, deep into a coal mine in Northeastern Pennsylvania, to tenement buildings on New York City's Lower East Side, and even into the Secret Annexe in Amsterdam where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. But she also researches the archives of old newspapers and digs for insights to people's past lives by reading their diaries and letters.

Cathy is also the national director of Letters About Literature, a reading promotino program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Additionally, she is the principal curriculum writer for The Story of Movies, a visual literacy initiative of The Film Foundation, Los Angeles and New York City.

Prior to returning home to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1997 to write full-time, Gourley was the editor of special projects for Weekly Reader Corporation. In this position also she edited Read, a literature magazine for middle school students. In addition, Gourley spearheaded the relaunching of the Barnard College Young Adult Biography Series in 1996-97, working both with Barnard College and the series publisher, Conari Press, Berkeley, CA.

Gourley's first published book was a historical novel, The Courtship of Joanna, that explored the experiences of Irish immigrants who worked in the anthracite coal mines of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the 1880s. This adult book was nominated for the Carl Sandburg Award through the Chicago Public Library and was a finalist for the Jefferson Cup fof excellence in historical fiction.

Radio was the media venue for her first work of fiction, a short story title “Breaker Boy” which she adapted for broadcast on national public radio in 1986 through an award from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Cathy's hometown is Wilkes-Barre, PA. But she has lived and worked in a number of states: Ridgway, PA, where she first began publishing her short feature stories, Corpus Christi, Texas, where her freelance writing career got started; Chicago, Illinois, where she published her first book, a historical novel titled The Courtship of Joanna; Essex, Connecticut, where she worked as an editor for Weekly Reader's Read magazine. She returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1997 to write full-time.

Reviews

[Alex Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

We always hear that reading has the power to changed lives, but have you ever wondered exactly how that might have happened to some young readers? Every year, the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress sponsors a contest called Letters About Literature, in which students from all over the country are asked to write a letter about a book, a poem, or a speech that has personally impacted their life in some way.

For this book, the library selected 52 letters from students in grades 4-12, covering a wide variety of authors and their books. The book is divided into three parts - Upper Elementary: Finding a Friend, Finding a Voice; Middle School: A New Awareness; and High School: “I Am Not A Nobody.” Within these parts, letters are grouped by themes of Destinations, Realizations, and Returning Home.

In some way, the book, poem, or speech is one that they can really relate to. For example, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost is a poem that brought the feeling tranquility and simplicity back to a young girl who loved watching snowflakes gracefully falling while living in Delaware, but who felt she had lost that when her family moved to Georgia.

After reading The Diary of a Young Girl, a young girl writes to Anne Frank. In her letter, she talks about how proud Anne was to be Jewish. Because of Anne, she discovers the same sense of pride within herself, wanting to carrying on Anne’s name as a young Jewish girl.

A middle school girl found herself reading Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. Though her experience was not the same as the girl in the book, she was able to relate and realize that she too needed to speak about the things that were causing her depression and unhappiness.

While the letters are insightful, very well written,and even profound, I wasn’t sure what to do with this book. I began assigning some of the letters about books I knew they had read to students to see what they had to say in a class discussion. What a surprise! They found plenty to relate to. That, of course, led to an assignment similar to the criteria used by the Library of Congress. And while I am not at liberty to divulge what they had to say about themselves, I can agree that books and reading do have the power to change lives, especially for young readers. And it was wonderful to read so many interesting responses.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book elucidates both the value of reading for children and the need for diversity in publishing! A girl preparing for her bat mitzvah connected with Anne Frank's conviction to die as a Jew rather than wear a mask all her life. Another girl whose father is from Eritrea never understood his experiences from back home as much until reading about pioneers. This black daughter of an imprisoned man learnt to cope with his absence reading about parental loss. A brown sister of a boy with Autism grew to understand him more as she read about a child with cerebral palsy. A multiracial child reads about history and further grasps her grandfather's role as a black Panther and Jewish grandmother's participation in the civil rights movement. Reading Lord of the Flies helps a child realise they do not want to be manipulated into hurting others by peer pressure. A daughter of a mother with substance abuse issues reads about suicide and commits to living her life to the very fullest. A granddaughter copes with her eighty-four year old family member's declining health thanks to a newfound appreciation of the holistic approach taken in Native culture after reading an Athabascan legend. A child challenges earlier Islamophobic stereotypes after reading about Afghanistan. A girl draws parallels between how a protagonist copes with being raped and how she was hiding from health issues, motivating her to become more proactive. Another connects with her Puerto Rican identity after reading about a young hijabi's decision to cover. A Pakistani daughter comes to appreciate her mother's roots after reading of newcomer struggles. In juvenile detention, a young man questions how to change his path after reading about a futuristic world. A coming of age novel propels a girl to challenge societal standards of beauty. A grandchild of Holocaust survivors connects with their past after reading a memoir. Everyone should read this!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful stuff, with most of the letters written by readers who are darn good writers themselves.

[Jenn Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. To see how books have affected young people and even changed their lives was uplifting and inspiring!

[Christine Kallner]

I'm returning this to the library after only reading the introduction and two entries. I'm not going to rate it because I think it's a great concept and just because it didn't work for me doesn't make it a bad book. The issue for me was my expectations and a misunderstanding of what the book actually is. For some reason, I thought it was a collection of "spontaneous" best letters authors have received -- as in actual mail sent by kids to authors. I realize now that was not exactly a realistic expectation. And as the introduction explained, this is actually a collection of entries from an essay-writing contest. I would have known this if I had read the back jacket and that was my own mistake.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a book of letters/essays from a contest, it just wasn't what I was looking for. I couldn't shake the feeling that the bits I read were very formal and had a whiff of "homework" about them. I LOVE that authors and books have changed kids lives and I hope this book will find the right readers, I just want anyone looking to it up to know what exactly it is, and what it isn't.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books have the power to change lives and this collection offers the opportunity to peer into the lives of both reader and author and see just how powerful the connection between writer and reader can become. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and along the way found myself encountering favorite books of mine and how they had influenced others, as well as books that I had not read yet, or encountered as an assigned text in school years ago that had not resonated with me, all finding their way back onto the "to be read (possibly again)" list.

I would love to read this book with students who are working on narrative essay and have the opportunity to discuss the power of writing on an audience. There are numerous ways to blend this books with author studies, personal narrative writing requirements, and opinion/ reflection writing!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of earnest, thoughtful letters was written by young people to authors of books they read that impacted them in some way. They validate what librarians and teachers already know – that the right book in the right hands can make a powerful difference in a young person’s life. There are fifty-two letters divided into elementary, middle and high school students who have won the Letters About Literature contest sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book. Each letter is introduced with one or two pages of information about the book that is the topic of the letter. Most of the books are well-known and are often required reading in schools, such as Stargirl, Night, and The Giver. Keep in mind that young people, even such excellent writers as these, are still not as polished as professional writers. Should be especially welcome reading for those who regularly embrace the power of books and reading to transform lives, such as English teachers, librarians and authors. The letters could also prove useful as exemplar texts for teachers working with students on persuasive writing and crafting a well-written letter.

[Katie Zebrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything about this book. As an avid reader, I'm constantly making personal connections to the author and the book. I had never heard about the Letters About Literature contest that the Library of Congress puts on. It's such a great idea! "Journeys Young Readers' Letters to Authors Who Changed Their Lives" would be ideal for those who teach upper elementary to high school as the letters are from the students grade 4-12.

I happily received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could write an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An anthology of letters from young readers to favorite authors about how their books made a significant impact on them describes the feelings of connection, inspiration, and clarity that can be found through reading. The letters are selected from the Letters About Literature program of the Library of Congress Center.

This title would find a home on the shelf with a librarian, an educator, and/or an adult who is a literature enthusiast. Each selected letter is a love note to authors whose books changed their lives. This would be an excellent class resource for author projects.

[Stavroula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great idea for a book! Short and sweet passages highlight biographical facts and creative inspirations of each author, followed by a moving letter to the author from a young reader. A great collection to have on hand at any public library, as a testament to the power of reading and an inspiration to young readers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book published by the Library of Congress Center for the Book shows the power of reading and the impact one poem or novel has on a young reader. The letters from the school children will tug at your heart. The Letters about Literature reading program is such a worthwhile venture promoting the use of letter writing as a means of expression for youth.

[Brierley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful collection of letters to authors! It's amazing the insight that these students have. The Library of Congress Letters About Literature is a fantastic program and it's great to read these wonderful submissions.

[Margaret Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome project!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So emotional at times reading these heartfelt letters from readers to authors that touched their lives with their words. Power of reading. Power of books and poetry!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teachers, Librarians, Writers.... read this book.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touching collection of children's letters to authors. A testament to the power of words.

[Erin Mccarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of letters to authors from students who were affected by their work. I use this in my classroom, and then we do a similar exercise. The kids love it!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. I was most drawn to letters and information about books that I too have read and loved.

[Juli Elrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters writing was published in this book! Enjoy reading all the time.

[Amy Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐s

[J]

Enjoyable

[Joan M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Student letters to authors of favorite books provides insight into the effect literature has on the reader.

[Mike Mc Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a great reminder for everyone of the importance of reading and the influence writers have on students. This book is exactly as it is titled, a collection of letters written by students to authors both alive and dead telling how a particular book influenced/affected them. Each letter is prefaced with a brief intro to both the writer and the book. So many people think that the classics should not be read any longer because they are no longer relevant. But the children who wrote these letters wrote to authors as diverse as Laura Ingalls Wilder, Shel Silverstein, Robert Frost, Anne Frank, to JK Rowling. Wonderful book that should be read by teachers, parents, school boards, and students.

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHALLENGE 4 of The Read Harder Challenge: Essay Anthology

A collection of letters from young readers to authors that inspired or impacted them, this book has a few moments of real connection for me. Obviously childhood favourites like the Harry Potter series have a personal connection, but things like Dr Seuss or Bridge to Terabithia (books that were a part of many childhoods, even if their strong impact was not so much the case for myself) show the impact books have on children and the way we all forge personal collections. This book was a lovely quick read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever had favorite book as a child, you need to read this book. This wonderful one hour read features letters from children (grades 4-12) written to the author of a book that changed their lives. Drawn from 25 years of letters submitted to the Library of Congress "Letter About Literature" competition, you'll see the favorites from your own childhood interpreted by some wise and articulate kids.

[Marady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who loves books will enjoy this collection of touching letters penned by young readers and writers, interspersed with anecdotes and information about famous authors and their works. This book was a quick, easy and satisfying read that left me loving literature more than ever.