Sara Sobol

May 3, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

Many years ago my friend Angie loaned me her copy of “Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars”. We were a small group of elementary school kids designated as “gifted” students, which at my school meant we were sent to a special education teacher for our reading lesson and made fun of by other students when we returned.

We read, re-read, re-re-read, and talked about the book every day at lunch. It meant so much to read about two kids, who like us, didn’t fit in among their peers. Most importantly, your book contradicted all the “truths” I had learned in school–that fat kids were unfit to socialize with other children, and that different kids should be avoided completely.

Your book taught me to rejoice in myself and in my differences. It changed my life, and I consider you one of my greatest teachers. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Your loyal and devoted fan,

Sara

Albuquerque, NM

I bow to you with my hand on my heart. I had no intention of being useful, but also had no objection, and it's cool if I was.