Silas House and Neela Vaswani have created such an endearing compilation of pen pal letters in the form of Same Sun Here. Learning about Meena's life as an immigrant from India and River's trials as a coal miner's son, you felt an instant connection to these you children as they come into their own and try to get by. This made me think back to second grade, when my class paired with another class from a different elementary school in town. We spent the whole year writing letters to each other, and then at the end of the school year, both classes meet at a park in town for a picnic and face-to-face meeting. I made a friend, whom I eventually went to middle school with, and learned about the details of someone else's life. I feel as though the friendship that grows between pen pals is a strong and unbreakable bond. River and Meena transcribed their feelings and emotions to each other through letters sent in the mail. Meena told about the fights she had with her mother and being an immigrant, and River opened up about his true feelings when he sees Mark, and his amputated leg, and the struggles his church was rallying against. They did not hold anything back from the other, and neither was embarrassed to tell the other anything. They shared their senses of humor, their dogs, and their memories with each other, and I feel like it showed young readers that it's ok to be friends with a member of the opposite sex. Seeing such a sting boy/girl friendship in this book is a great example for readers, starting as young as fifth or sixth grade. I loved seeing their drawings, post cards, and birthday cards, and the relationship they build across the country. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this, because it is now something I would have found and chosen on my own. I, as well as any other reader, learns about the values and traditions these two families of different cultures have, and the bonds that hold them together during some of the hardest parts of their lives. Through loss and gain, Meena and River have each other.
Lesson Learned:
Everyone has different struggles, successes, and cultures, but we all live under the same sun.
I liked the statement you made here, namely, that this story shows young readers that it is "ok to be friends with a member of the opposite sex." I agree. These two young people had such an honest and open relationship with each other. The author also gives you deep insight into the trials and tribulations, the obstacles and struggles, that exist for those who are poor or who are newly arrived in this country. Moreover, I believe that this story gives young students an idea of how hard working and determined people are...........even though they are poor. Your Lesson Learned statement is right on.........."Everyone has different struggles, successes, and cultures but we all live under the same sun. In essence, this country is very diverse, but there are common issues that unite us.
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