Megan Hartwick, NJ Winner Level II (Grade 8)

Letter to Lois Lowry, author of The Messenger

Dear Ms. Lowry,

I would like to think my purpose in life is to find every wonderful book ever written. Then I would have to write a wonderful book myself. My search of wonderful and inspiring books often runs dry as a well in a drought. Finally, I found the one book that might have forever changed me. In reading The Messenger, I realized how our nation is becoming a place that will soon need a Healer.

I usually fly through books faster than anyone can open to the title page. However, the books that truly affect me take longer to read because I have to slow down and pay attention to the details. This was the first sign that The Messenger would be a meaningful book. For example, I noticed with great concern how the people of Village were rapidly changing. Their one loving, kind, and patient personalities became harsh and unkind. This was extremely upsetting to me, but I also concluded that these changed were all focused around Trade Mart. People became greedier and greedier as they continued to participate in Trade Mart.

Forest also seemed to be changing as well. The way you personified Forest hurting Kira and Matty was enough to make anyone shed tears on their behalf. “It was as if the underbrush was actually reaching in to poke at me.” Kira spoke such truthful words. Forest seemed to be hurting them on purpose. I am still unsure of why Forest did this. Was it because Matty and Kira purely entered Forest? Or was Forest annoyed or mad at Matty? The only conclusion I could come to was that Forest was changing for the worse just because the rest of the world was.

When Matty first discovers his gift, I didn’t quite understand it. I remembered that Kira had a gift from Gathering Blue, but her gift was explained clearly. It was not until Matty was showing his gift to Kira that I truly understood it. Matty could heal. What a gift! At first I thought his gift only applied to humans or material objects. Leader said, “Wait for the true need, Matty. Don’t send the gift.” The thought never occurred to me that Matty’s gift of healing could be used to heal the world from the pain, selfishness, and cruelty that was now affecting it.

The main thing that made The Messenger an inspiring book is that the connection to our society is so uncanny. People today are more concerned about themselves and their possessions than with the love and generosity they should be showing to others. Your book is filled with symbolism, which made me realize how much our nation and our world need a healer like Matty. When I think about this, I want to be that healer. I am inspired to do better for our world, even if that means just helping at the local homeless shelter. Thank you, Lois Lowry, for writing this wonderful book and changing my sheltered view of the world.

Sincerely,
Megan Hartwick