I Will Always Write Back
How One Letter Changed Two Lives
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4.7 • 339 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever.
It started as an assignment... Everyone in Caitlin's class wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place.
Martin was lucky to even receive a pen-pal letter. There were only ten letters, and fifty kids in his class. But he was the top student, so he received the first one.
That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives.
In this compelling dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends, and better people, through their long-distance exchange. Their story will inspire you to look beyond your own life and wonder about the world at large and your place in it.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In 1997, a 12-year old girl from Hatfield, Pa., and a 14-year-old boy from Mutare, Zimbabwe, began a pen-pal relationship. In alternating chapters, Alifirenka and Ganda recount how their mutual curiosity led to an increasingly honest, generous correspondence. Martin loves receiving Caitlin's photo, but when she requests one in return, "My heart went from sprinting to a standstill." He sends her the only photo his family owns. Hearing BBC accounts of Zimbabwe's political and economic turmoil alarms Caitlin, but a letter written on a popsicle wrapper shocks her: "I gasped. My friend was writing me on trash." She begins to send him her babysitting money which Martin's family uses to buy food and to pay school fees and rent and Caitlin's family eventually decides to sponsor Martin's education. Sensitively and candidly demonstrating how small actions can result in enormous change, this memoir of two families' transformation through the commitment and affection of long-distance friends will humble and inspire. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Such an inspiring and heartwarming story!
I usually do not enjoy reading, and find it boring, but I finished this book in less than two full days, it was really good and almost made me tear up at the end because of how good everything ended up.
love this book
i’m not a fan of reading but this book had me hooked the ending was great and i recommend it to everyone
Review
This was such a good book! It’s really made me think about the differences in cultures, and how others intérprete the American world.