Ben Parsons

Level I - 2nd Place - Ben Parsons, Wallace Elementary School, Johnston
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Dear Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings,

My name is Ben and I have read your book, The Yearling.  I never knew that so many emotions could be crammed into one book.  It fluctuates and differs so much.  That is one of the reasons it is my favorite book.  I wish you could of made a sequel though, it would of been just as good.

One of my favorite parts of The Yearling is when Jody has to shoot Flag.  I think it is cruel when Jody's father makes Jody shoot Flag, but it is understandable.  I think that Jody has to be willing to give up something important for a more important cause.  It is sad though, and almost brought tears to my eyes.  I could picture every moment with startling clearness.  It was truly an amazing piece of writing.

One of the reasons your book was so important to me was the way it changed my view on things.  I have always been a nature freak. Caring for wild animals, watching them, planting trees and bushes. These are things that I do to help nature. But your book took me to a whole new level of nature loving and care. Before I read your book I merely wanted to help nature. But that is not enough anymore. Now I actually want to live with nature, like Jody. Such are the results of reading a great book like yours.

You may sometimes just want to slink away into the darkness and curl up in a ball and sob (hopefully you know this feeling). But nature will always welcome you in with open arms (or branches). This is another reason why I love nature. When I read your book I was always on the edge of my seat, ready for another exciting surprise. And they kept on coming to the end of the book. This is probably one of the most important reasons for me liking your book.

If I could have one thing from The Yearling it would not be Flag as some people might think.  It would be to be in Jody's place for a while.  To know what it's like to live in the back country of Florida, that would be great.  I would give almost anything to know what it's like in Jody's home (even though you describe life in his home, I can't really know what's like).  This is indeed my favorite book and that will probably never change.

Sincerely,

Ben Parsons, fifth grader
Wallace Elementary School