Samarha Howard, 2016 Level 2, Honorable Mention

Dear Soman Chainani,

Recently, In the past two months my self-esteem has plunged into darkness, and then rocketed toward the sky like a shooting star. This is mainly because-I have become more sensitive and self-conscious about the way I act, look and speak. Fm not sure why, maybe it‘s just awkward when you are in between an adult and a kid, like some type of not fully developed homo sapien. Maybe it is because I just recently joined middle school. More responsibility, more homework and more privileges were the new reality I was going to have to face. So, when l started middle school, naturally I was scared out of my mind although I didn’t physically show my nervousness and trepidation.

My first week wasn‘t the best, nor was the second or third. I had made barely any good friends, I had no one to sit with at lunch, and no one from my old school was there to support me. But then, as I walked home on the bus that was now late because of the longer route to my neighborhood, all I wanted was one reliable friend to have. But little did I know that my first great friend would be one I would hold. I was in my room looking -for a book that would take me away from reality, and as I looked, I found The School for Good and Evil. I had read it before, but that was three whole years ago. Halfway through, I remembered how Agatha and Tedros had loved each other so much, and their love was like a passionate burning flame, but the flame occasionally dimmed as betrayal and obstacles stood in their path.

Agatha has transformed so much, as well as her way of thinking about herself, the world and everything in it. This transformation didn‘t only happen to Agatha, but to me as well. It triggered a whole new way of thinking of myself and my surroundings. She had goodness inside her the whole time, but denied it because the opinion of everyone else was so strong. Agatha couldn’t accept or believe the fact that she was beautiful inside and outside. It made me sad that she couldn’t see what I saw in my favorite heroine. But then I realized I was doing the same thing to myself! I was so insecure and worried about what everyone else thought about me that I didn’t realize how beautiful I was on the inside. I was always too afraid to show people the part of me that was a glimmer of talent and creativity, because I was too busy trying not to embarrass myself. I couldn‘t accept the fact that being me wasn’t a crime, until after I reread Agatha’s transformation.

If Agatha, the daughter of a so called “witch”, and the girl who hated almost everyone could change her way of thinking, accept herself for who she is and become a true princess (now a queen), so could I! The word princess used to mean only one thing to me: a spoiled daughter of a king, or supposedly a kind girl that marries a prince. But now the meaning to me is quite the opposite. The new definition of princess is: a person that embraces kindness, has a strong heart that fights for what she believes in, has a flame of hope close to her heart as well as loyalty. Someone who changes things for the better of people around her and not just for the benefit of herself.

I hope one day I will be as brave as Agatha, who I found out is now Tedros’ queen! I have learned many things from Agatha, including the fact that princesses can come from the darkest places, where you come from doesn’t matter, you don’t have to be the stereotype of the old meaning of princess, and you should always fight for what you believe in and love. Sophie proved that you can‘t rush love, as it was clear when she tried to win over Tedros. Sophie did teach me one thing as well: good looks don’t get you many places. I am so happy that Tedros found a true princess like Agatha, and this suggests that although you have many differences in what you look like and where you come from, as long as you love and care for each other your bond will be as strong as titanium. So, “a bunch of made up characters in your book basically changed how l chose to look at myself, my life and others. My insecurities no longer bind me to the world of shame, and my creativity took its place. In doing so, l think I’ve got the attention of more people. Because now I have several loyal, reliable and funny friends that always come to the library with me for lunch to jump into new realities and learn a thing or two about life. My first real friend in middle school was a book, and though it sounds quite silly, without that book I don’t know what would’ve happened to my life. Thank you for molding me into what I am today.

Sincerely,

Samarha Howard