HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2020 - BLT - ADDITIONAL HANDOUTSLevel 4: AdvancedWriters
Winner: Sarah Kim
NewportBeachPublicLibrary
Book: WhattoDo T4/henI'mGone
Author: Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman
December 4, 2019
Dear Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman,
I appreciate that I got to readyour beautiful book WHATTO DO WHEN rM GONE.
To be honest, I hesitated for quite awhile before reading it eventhough my daughter insisted that we
should read it together. That's mostly because I guessedyour bookwould be a sad and touching story
aboutthe death of beloved ones. And I am dreadfullyreludant to speak about death as it is always
accompanied by grief of loss. Besides that, I was sick andtired of everything that happenedto me so I
deemed if I had to read something with her then I would rather choose a funny and humorous bookthat
can comfort me.
However, I have foundthat your bookis not only about the sadness ofloss but also about the continuous
joy andvalue oflife brimmedwith all diversities of life lessons.
Lately, I seemed to be lost not knowingwho I am, what Iwantto do, andhow I wantto shape mylife. I
felt like Iwas all alone and left behind. I was not able to appreciate what I had and could not enjoymylife
here as huge responsibility ovemhelmed me. I was cal about everybodywhile easilyfaltered with any
criticism toward me. So I put countless efforts not to make any mistakes even tiny ones just to make
myselflookflawless.
I only cared about how others hurt me but did not enough care about how I hurtthe people near me. I
even built up an invisible high barrier around me letting no one.enter in the name of self-defense. I just
kept creating excuses and vindications for myself.
An my situationswere deteriorating notto mention myrelationship withfamily. Iwas demotivated and
justwasting mytime sinking deep down.
While reading this book, it seemedlike you're patting my shoulder and giving me a warm encouragement
saying that "it's okayifyou cannot stand firmly. It's okayyqu are flopping down and crying. That's all part
of Hfe and rite of passage" and "you are doing great."
I paused and looked back at the time when I was self-centered, narrow-minded, pessimistic, and
shortsighted. I realized that I could have expressed and shared myfear/anger and askedhelp instead of
gtumbling, I could have made as manytrial-and-errors as I need to adapthere. I could have taken a
detour for looking around and considemg others' thoughts and feelings.
Your optimistic attitude on life showed me how I can pleasantly deal with and confront every situation
that I am faced with. You taught me that it is more important to have a happylife with others than tg
my best without purpose.
Above all, I have learned that respecting and loving myselfwould be the first step for admiring others.
I will definitely read it againwhenever myheart is so full of desolation and loneliness that I need
consolation.
Thank you so much,
EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL: Literacy is crucial to prosperity
By SOUTH PLATTE SENTINEL l southplattesentinel@dfmdev.com l
September 15, 2020 at 4:58 p.m.
It's something we use every single day, whether its to celebrate a victory, express
sorrow, debate our opinion on something or enhance our knowledge of a topic. As we
celebrate National Literacy Month this September it can't be understated how
important the ability to read and write and do basic mathematical computation is.
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hirds of fourth graders read below grade level, arid the same number graduate from
high school still reading below grade level.
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lyzinq oUsltacles when trQnq ig IlByjBte the wor:
But, why should it matter to those of us reading this? Health, employment, crime.
Every important social issue is impacted by low literacy.
OThe National Couricil for Adult Learning points to )nnuai costs 3+ $22!) billion ir
-7iiieonnptoroidouwctiiitvei,tryarinvi':he work+orce, crime, 3rld IQSS Oj iBH l'aBvenue due to unemploylBBll
The National Institate of Literacy says that @3% of Jults with the lowest literacv leveld
IjyB jl'l z0y(3dyj According to the u.s. Census Bureau, the official poverty rate in 2018
was 11.8%, down slightly from 2017. But 1 7.6% of Hispanic people and 20.8% of
African Americans were classified as being in poverty, much higher than the average,
and both groups saw an increase from 2017.
The u.s. rtment of Justice has data showin that :5
ear ;B- p -gw m ffi ffi i !:! The Literacy
Project Foundation reported that three out or 'five people in prison
of youth offenders struggle to read.
When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers, they
have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, find and
keep sustainable employment, and ultimately change their lives.
85%