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Writer-to-Writer Challenge, Part III
What is the Writer-to-Writer Challenge? Adult literacy learners of the California Library Literacy Services are invited to read a book, any book. It can be fiction or non-fiction, written at any level, and can be a book-on-tape. They then write a letter to the author describing how the book changed their lives.
This year 188 adult learners entered the Challenge from 43 library literacy programs all over California. Their letters, based on their writing skill levels, were divided into four categories: Emerging, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. There are two rounds of judging: In the first round a panel of librarians and literacy specialists carefully selected the finalists in each category. In the second round, groups of learners reviewed the finalists' letters and picked the winner and runners-up in each category.
The letters of the winners will appear as a Four-part Series, continuing part three with this E-newsletter with a letter from Beginner winner Evonne Macias:
Evonne Macias
Hemet Public Library
Dear Dave Pelzer,
My name is Evonne Macias and I attend the Hemet Adult Literacy Program. At this time, I am trying to earn my GED. I am 54 years old and have now read your book, A Child Called It. I really did not think there was another mom as bad as mine, but after I read your book I realized that there was. I found that I was anxious and angry as I read. I was looking for any kind of joy, a joy that neither you, nor I have ever had.
In the beginning, I saw a mother with much love for her children. Unfortunately, your childhood happened during a time when people did not want to get involved in other people's business, and no one would say anything. These kinds of abuses were ignored. I felt all your pain and cried with you as I read. I know that deep down it really hurts because you were just a little boy.
I also grew up with an alcoholic mother and she was also very abusive. I can't tell you how much I hated her, day after day, I was always crying. And yes it started when I was around 2 or 3 years old. Your story has opened my eyes to the reality of what has happened and to the truthful pain. In addition to an abusive mother, my dad walked out on us when I was three. He was a truck driver who carried heavy loads of hay for the dairies, also an alcoholic, and decided to live in his truck. I have three brothers and I was the only girl. We were all abused, but I had it the worst. My dad would come home and it would only bring us more pain.
I remember that in your book, your mother had all of the control. That was how it happened with me. She was, and still is to this day, in control of the family and people around us. My grandmother, grandfather, all her sisters and brothers, cousins, our school, teachers and friends all knew this was going on and yet, I just can't understand how nothing was ever done. Your story was a lot like mine. except a person helped you, a teacher I believe. That person gave you the courage to survive. I was very naive and I didn't have that courage.
It was also very hard for me in school I never could remember what I learned. Whether it was reading, writing or math; I just couldn't learn it. I was also never able to attend high school. I could not read or write at all. I did, however, go to grammar school for ten years, repeating kindergarten and third grade. When I was 18 my mother came home looking for one of my brothers and he was not home. She was very upset and drunk. She got out the broom and started to hit us. As I got up to see what was going on and hit me over the head very hard. I was upset and crying! Then my brother, who was out, walked in and she hit him too. He was 16 at the time. She hit us all again and then told us all to go to bed.
That day, I don't know how, but I found the courage to go away. I put a few things into a green suitcase and ran away. It was about 3 a.m. and I never went back.. Reading your book gave me hope.
Now at 54 I am in this adult literacy program hoping to learn to read and write, hoping to get my GED. Thank you for your courage. Now is not the time to sacrifice myself, but the time to go on beyond my limits into a new world.
Respectfully,
Evonne Macias
Submitted to California Libraries by:
Alan Archer
President, CLA Literacy Interest Group
Posted on January 21, 2010 9:50 AM | Permalink