Dallas Public Library Home Page |
|
Dallas Public Library Home Page |
|
Dear Beverly Cleary,
The book you wrote called Henry and the Clubhouse contained many memorable lessons that I have learned. One of the lessons that I have learned was that when you have a task to complete sometimes you encounter obstacles that make your task difficult to do. I learned that Henry had the task of completing his paper route job and Ramona Quimby tagged along with him keeping him from finishing his job. Even though you overcome the problem that makes your task hard you can still encounter difficulties repeatedly, but in different ways.
When Ramona Quimby's sister asked Ramona to stop tagging along with Henry on his paper route, Henry thought his problem was solved. Ramona, however just found a new way to bug Henry on the paper route and created another obstacle for Henry. I have changed my mind about how to handle tasks even when they seem hard. I learned that I should accept my tasks and that there is nothing to worry about until a problem presents itself. Problems are normal, but it is the challenge of succeeding that makes me a better person.
Another lesson that I have learned is that having a little brother or sister causes problems that are tough. A sister like Ramona Quimby keeps Beezus Quimby busy because Beezus has to watch and take care of Ramona since she runs around and causes trouble. I am the youngest of four children. I now understand how my older brother and two older sisters might have felt when they had to watch over me. Whenever I see a child younger than me, like Ramona, I try to take care of him or her and keep him or her out of trouble just the way my older brother, two older sisters, and my parents took care of me.
After reading your book I have truly changed my mind about what I believe is the reason for having trouble in our lives. When you put your mind to it you can succeed and a few problems make success even better. Henry built a clubhouse but it took a great deal of time. This is where I got the idea to start building things, even though I have never built anything before.
The book also made me change my mind about how you should treat others the way you want to be treated. Henry started a clubhouse that had a sign stating, "No Girls Allowed" and this hurt Beezus Quimby's feelings. I have changed my mind about excluding other people just because they are causing trouble. You shouldn't run away from the problem, but face it and try to solve the problem rather than start a group that excludes other people. Your book made me think before I start a group that would exclude others and hurt their feelings or run away from my problems.
Thank you Beverly Cleary for writing the book called Henry and the Clubhouse because it has changed my mind about for things.
Viet-Bac Pham
Killough Middle School
Houston, TX
2000 Letters About Literature Winners
Texas Center for the Book
Dallas Public Library HomePage
Web Catalog | Databases | Bestsellers
Library Locations | Events | Explore the Internet | Local Info
