Dear Jodi Picoult, I used to think being selfless meant giving out a compliment, giving my old clothes away, or maybe even volunteering to help decorate a dance after school, but after I read your book, My Sister’s Keeper, I knew that there was so much more I could do. Your characters were so inspiring. They did anything they could to save Kate’s life and although sometimes they went too far, they inspired me to want to become someone like them. Your book has really changed my outlook on life.
When I picked it up, I figured that it would be just another book to read over summer vacation, you know, something that would be nice to pass the day away but as soon as I read the first chapter I knew it would be different. As I read through each chapter, the more I understood what it meant to be selfless. I’m one of those people who read a book in a day or two and think nothing of it, but My Sister’s Keeper had a different effect. I read the book in a day, but for weeks and weeks after I had turned the last page I kept on thinking about it and how the characters were so willing to give up their lives for someone else.
See, I don’t have a “ Kate”, but just because I don’t have a family member that is dying, does not mean there isn’t something I couldn’t do to help someone else. I found that there are actually hundreds of volunteer groups in the area where I live that I could spend my time as a volunteer. One of the volunteer groups I found was the Ronald McDonald house in Camden, New Jersey. The Ronald McDonald house is a place where families with sick children stay if their house isn’t in the hospital’s vicinity and to stay at a hotel would be too costly.
I decided to volunteer there by preparing food and cheering up the people in the house by playing bingo and some other favorite games of the guests. I had a feeling of gratification after I had donated my time to such a worthy organization, but it wasn’t enough. After I had caught the “ bug” of selflessness, I had to do more. When I heard that my neighbor who is younger than me was struggling to play an instrument that I play, I immediately offered to help. I helped her learn the basics such as holding the bow of the viola, where to place her fingers, and even how to tune the instrument.
Now I tutor her once a week. It is nice to know that she is getting better because of my helping her to play. Maybe I would not have helped my neighbor if I had not read your book. I may have been “ too busy”, “ too tired”, or not caring enough to help. After reading your book, it has influenced the way that I think and the way I act. Your book made a huge impact on my life and people around me. If everyone were to read your book, it may help to influence each person become more thoughtful towards others and place other’s interests before their own. Your book was much more than a piece of literature for enjoyment.
My Sister’s Keeper teaches a message of selflessness and caring. As I have learned from reading various books all of my life, sometimes you must learn things from books rather than experience. It is those who can apply the lesson taught by the book that go far and do great things in life. I have learned from this book’s message and applied it to my morals. It has benefitted me so much. This book taught me one of the most important life lessons and I am glad that I use it because it is making me a thoughtful, caring citizen. So, I just wanted to say thank you for writing your book because it has made me a much better person.