This post was originally published March 2008.

 

Well-done writing has a way of touching the soul and transporting us to another place.  Last Decemember, my students entered a writing contest describing how books they had read changed their lives.  This is not the first year I had them compete in the Library of Congress’s Letters about Literature contest.  It is the first year that one of my students won.

That’s the good news.  The bad news, at least for my students and me, is that the honor belongs to Carol Fisher.  You see… Carol just moved to Michigan.  No mind, though.  I called to let Carol know that she is one of two winners choosen to represent the best of 6th graders in Nebraska.  She was as thrilled as I was.

Carol and her mother are making the trip back to the Cornhusker State’s capital on Thursday,  March 14th to have a photo taken with the governor as he signs the National Library Week proclamation, receive her award, and have her letter archived (forever!) in the state’s official library.

Way to go, Carol!  Keep up the great writing; we’re all very proud of your accomplishment.

Here is Carol’s letter…

Dear Mr. Christopher Paolini:

I opened the story of Eragon, and flipped through the pages.  I was deciding on whether to read it or not.  I turned to the first page and I felt my mind being sucked out of reality and on to the back of Arya’s saddle.  As I got farther and farther into the adrenaline-pumping story, I found myself reading through the pages of Eragon and escaping the world I knew.  As soon as I would finish a chapter, I would turn the page thinking, “Just one more chapter then I’ll stop.”  When the day was done I would crawl up in my bed and stay up late reading to my heart’s content.  When I finished the book I thought is was the best one ever, and I’ve read a lot trust me.

I believe authors’ posses a certain quality that others lack.  It may be their ability to bring words to life and make them dance in front of our eyes.  Or their ability to bring things to life we have not dreamed of even in our wildest dreams.  Some day I wish to become an author and have that special magic, but until then I need a lot of practice.  Authors are my heroes of all time; they captivate my mind and lend it wings, so it can soar to the heavens and beyond.

Since I have read Eragon, I believe I have changed.  Not necessarily on the outside, but on the inside.  I think it has affected me so much.   I have always thought that only the brave were courageous.  I was wrong;  Eragon showed me that anyone can be courageous.   Eragon has taught me to be a better person, child, friend, imaginer, sister, student, and much more.

As time wears on, the book becomes more and more meaningful to me.  No one can explain the magic of books (well at least I think they have magic).  I know some people who think it is torture to sit and read a book.  I feel sorry for them because they have not read a book that sweeps them away.  Personally Eragon was the first book I got “hooked” on.  It was the book that encouraged me to read and keep reading to this day.

I have one last thing to say to you, thank you for giving me my wings, letting my mind soar, and last, thank you for the best gift of all, reading.

Carol Fisher

Carol Fisher

Grade Six

  *This paper has been edited for mistakes.