Letters about Literature Level One First Place Winner 2013
FIRST PLACE 2013 – LEVEL ONE (Grades 4 to 6)
Jenna Glinko is a sixth grader at East Hanover Middle School, who wrote to Harvey Araton, author of Driving Mr. Yogi. Her teacher is Christine Hagerman.
Dear Harvey Araton,
I am writing to you to let you know how your book, Driving Mr. Yogi, changed the way I view myself, those around me, and the world. I purchased your book at a book signing with Ron Guidry and Yogi Berra. I didn’t know much about Yogi or anything about Ron prior to reading your book. I was just excited to meet famous baseball players.
I am twelve years old and play girls’ softball with my town’s recreation league. I am also on a travel softball team with fourteen-year-old girls. When I joined the older travel team that had been together for three years, I felt alone and left out. I am younger and in 6th grade and the other girls are older, in 8th grade, and had more softball experience. I related to Ron Guidry because early in his career, he felt lonely when he joined the Yankees. Similar to Ron finding a remarkable friend in Yogi, I found that one of the older girls, Amanda, started a friendship with me. Amanda is two years older than I am, from a neighboring town, and an excellent second baseman. I am hoping that my friendship with Amanda will grow, similar to the friendship that Ron and Yogi share. Our friendships are similar in that we don’t live in the same town or state, we have an age difference, and we all love baseball and the Yankees!
Prior to joining the fourteen-year-old team, I was the top player and the leader of a twelve-year-old team. I stayed inside my group and didn’t acknowledge the new or younger girls on the team. I would make small talk or give advice, like Yogi did with Ron, but didn’t really include the younger girls on the team. The things I learned from Driving Mr. Yogi and my experience later with the fourteen-year-old team were eye openers. I realized that I was wrong to ignore the younger players on the twelve-year-old team and should have been friendlier. I now know what it feels like to not be included. It surprised me when I got a taste of my own medicine. I was like Yogi when Ron joined the team. I felt I was the leader and the best player. Later, I became Ron with no friends, left out, lonely, and was the young player waiting for my chance to prove myself.
The story about baseball player Nick Swisher’s batting problem also hit home. Yogi immediately gave Nick advice on his batting problem of standing too far back in the batter’s box, causing him to strike out. After I read Driving Mr. Yogi, I realized I was having the same batting problem. I took Yogi’s advice and moved a bit up in the batter’s box. I felt as if Yogi was at the softball field with me while giving me that important advice. I learned that it’s beneficial to take advice from more experienced people around me.
Driving Mr. Yogi showed me that people can have friendships regardless of age. Yogi is in his late eighties, Ron is in his early sixties, and they are best friends. Your story taught me to listen to advice from others, be open to new situations, and look for new friendships. You never know where friendships will find you. Yogi and Ron really enjoy each other’s company, take care of each other, love each other, and have a special bond. I witnessed this first hand at the book signing. When they entered, Ron was pushing Yogi in his wheel chair down the hall. When they talked with each other, they always smiled and seemed happy to be together. I could feel their amazing friendship! I hope to have this type of friendship in my lifetime.
Thank you for a heartfelt story,
Jenna Glinko