March
21
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“Whisper My Story” by Sarah Shelton
Hello, Nerdy Book Club. I am going to keep my wrap-around comments brief on this post so that I can share with you one of the personal narratives that came in earlier in the school year from a student who took in the assignment, processed what the assignment was asking, and then approached the teacher’s desk at the end of the block.
“I know what we are supposed to write, but I am wondering if I can try something different. Would it be okay if I tried something different?”
Here is that “different” personal narrative. . .
“Whisper My Story” by Sarah Shelton
Personal Narrative for AP English Language and Composition 2013-2014
All at once, the suppressive darkness that was my life disappeared with a single, quick jerk. The sudden light was a shock, and I had no idea how to respond. Slowly, blurry outlines replaced the stark white world; the lines bled into colors, and cognitive objects began to form. Fear, the slow, terrorizing panic of the unknown, started to creep up my spine, until suddenly a shrill voice pierced the silence.
“This one, Mommy!”
“Alright, Sarah. Tonight we’ll read…Goodnight Moon.” A joy-filled squeal pierced the air, as a small girl, of maybe three, clambered into the lap of the other voice. The high-pitched small one must be Sarah, which meant that other voice would be Mommy. Suddenly, a feeling of weightless freedom entered my small frame. Why was I flying through the air?
“Honey, don’t wave it around like that, you might pull out a page!”
The lady did not know how spot-on she was. A painful throbbing was developing deep in the heart of my binding.
“Okay, give Mommy the book. Thank you, now we can read your bedtime story.” The woman took hold of me, and I was able to get a clear view of both of their faces. Blonde hair sprouted out of both of their heads, but the little one’s was much wilder, the strands sticking out in every direction. There was a definite relation between the two, though I was not sure quite what it was. I am only a book, after all, and my small world simply consists of same, sequel, and different. Sequels, I decided firmly, looking once more at their blonde hair.
Suddenly, the strangest of all sensations took over my covers.
Creeeaak.
“Mommy, why’d it make the noise? Is it broke?”
“No, sweetie, the book is new. Sometimes, when a book is hard-back, like this one,” she said, knocking her knuckles on the book, not an unpleasant sensation, but a different, unclassifiable one, “it makes a noise. It’s nothing to worry about. Now, can I read the story?”
The little girl nodded her head slowly.
The woman once more opened the book.
The pieces of the puzzle all fell into place. The light bulb went off; the world was at peace. For the first time in my short life, I felt as if my purpose had been discovered. I had a role to fulfill, other than occupying some space in the darkness.
“In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of—
“Okay, sweetie, turn the page.” Sarah used her chubby fingers to turn the page, almost pulling too hard, but letting go at just the right moment, putting to ease my growing fear that she would rip the beautiful story from my pages. She leaned into her mother’s shoulder, seeming to situate herself in her small, twin-sized bed.
“The cow jumping over the moon
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs,”
Sarah lunged across Mommy’s lap to turn my page.
“Careful, sweetheart. Why don’t you let Mommy do the page turning now?”
The little girl nodded, leaning back once more, and pulled the blankets up over her shoulders.
“And two little kittens
And a pair of mittens
And a little toyhouse
And a young mouse
“Do you see the mouse, Sarah?”
The girl nodded, and pointed to the small grey mouse on one of my colored pages, “There!” Mommy smiled, and turning yet another page, continued to read,
“And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush
And a quiet old lady who was whispering ‘hush’,”
Flip.
A wave of happiness and joy washed through my whole being at hearing the lady tell this story out loud. To know I was useful, and to see the child’s innocent face beaming down at my pictures, gave me a wave of fulfillment like nothing else before.
“Goodnight room”
Flip.
“Goodnight moon
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon”
Flip.
“Goodnight light
and the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs”
At this point, the woman glanced at the child, who was now snoring slightly. Sighing, she stood up and tucked her in, closing me and flipping off the light in the process. My world was engulfed in a bizarre, almost-darkness.
Wait! I tried to scream at her, the story isn’t over! My time is not over; please do not put me back yet!
Just as I began to lose all hope, I faintly saw a small smile graced the woman’s face.
Softly, as to not wake the sleeping child, she started to whisper the rest of my story with a fond, gentle tone.
“Goodnight kittens
and goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
and goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
and goodnight mouse
Goodnight comb
and goodnight brush
goodnight nobody
and goodnight mush
and goodnight to the old lady whispering ‘hush’
Goodnight stars
Goodnight air
Goodnight noises everywhere”
Sighing once more, and stroking my green and orange cover with her fingers softly, the women placed me back onto the shelf. Shock zinged through my pages as I realized what had happened.
Mommy had it all memorized—my story forever in her heart. And she was happy about it! The joy and happiness once again tore through me, the ink on my words almost glimmering, and had I been able to, the smile to grace my features would have reached from spine to pages.
One last thought flashed through my bookish mind as I fell into the dreamlike state of a book not being read,
“And goodnight, Sarah.
See you soon.”
Here is an example of the personal narrative that truly becomes personal. Personal in its reflective entry into the piece, personal in its execution, and personal in the way that it becomes not only a tribute to the book but to the person who shared that book.
Personal.
Narrative.
Oh, Sarah. You had me “Can I do something different?” I may have to rethink that whole 4 Page (Dabble Onto 5) Times New Roman 12 Double-Spaced invitation. Especially when it might have or could potentially stood—or stand—in the way of this. . .“something different.”
Good reading, Nerdy Book Club Friends.
He was so excited to have Sarah share her personal narrative here that Paul W. Hankins forgot to write a bio for this post. He would like you to know that Sarah is a super student in Room 407 who has attended each of the Books and Bagels sessions this year. Sarah has recently been seen carrying a copy of Andrew Smith’s GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE. Paul W. Hankins gets to be Sarah’s teacher this year. While you cannot be his student this year (the year is late and we are going on spring break after today), you can follow him at @PaulWHankins.
Excerpts taken from Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1947).
AMAZING! More teachers need to be on the look for “something different”…thank you for allowing a student to do just that.
Thank you on behalf of Sarah who cannot log onto social media accounts during the school day to jump on here like I can. When Sarah showed me an early draft of this piece, I knew it had Nerdy Book Club all over it.
Thank you!
WOW! When she becomes a famous writer you can say you knew her when. Thanks for sharing.
I feel as though we are famous today. An appearance at Nerdy Book Club is like being called up to the majors, you know. Thank you from me on behalf of Sarah.
Thank you! Your comment made me smile. And thanks for reading!
Wow! I am beyond goosebumps or tears! This was a book I also had memorized when my daughter, who is just a little older than your student, was little. Beautiful writing! Excellent mentor text for point of view. Thank you for sharing.
I hope to use this after Sarah leaves Room 407 (with her permissions) for just this purpose. This text becomes a “living book mark.” Thank you, Leigh!
And of course, Mr. Hankins, you have my full permission!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing. This was an amazing read. Loved it!
Thank you, Louise. Sarah cannot jump on social media during the school day, but I just know she will be on here this afternoon to follow up on all of these wonderful comments. Thank you.
Thank you for reading!
WOW! That gave me chills. I love the idea of writing something different.
Thank you, Nerdy Book Club friend. There’s really something to this whole “inviting students to write” vs. assigning a piece. Sarah’s piece affirms this within me.
Thanks! I always love trying to come up with new ways to write, it keeps the experience interesting.
Wow is all I can mutter. Just incredible. What a talented young lady with a BIG voice. Loved this perspective. Thanks for sharing her work here! Congrats to you Sarah and please keep writing!!!
I hope that it becomes “that piece I wrote in high school” that she shares with those around her later in life. It’s got a “legacy” feel to it. I’m proud of Sarah’s work here. Hey. . .I gave up my slot at Nerdy Book Club for it (wink).
Thank you so much! It means so much to me to be posted on here, and to get all this feedback. I plan to continue writing in the future, and thank you so much for the encouragement!
Perfect! Tell her to keep writing. It was the first thing I read this morning. A wonderful way to start a writing day – with good writing!
I thought so too. . .I’ve been looking forward to Friday for reasons other than its being the end of the week for just this reason. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with Sarah here.
Thank you! I love writing, and I am glad this story started your day off right!
What amazing things occur when we say, YES! How many times have we been told no in school? How many times did we receive a less than stellar grade on a paper because we didn’t write on topic? I was one such student and now I’m a teacher that says yes! It reminds me of that quote, “what would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Amazing narrative. Thank you, Sarah!
I know that Sarah will appreciate these sentiments. In fact, I will see Sarah in the last block before Spring Break begins this afternoon. I might just break the rule a little bit and let her look on here. She can reply with her Twitter account (with Mom’s permission). Thank you for your comments here.
She has mom’s permission 🙂
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it!
How very special! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thank you, Mary, for being a part of this amazing community. It makes me want to run right out (actually send an email) to Donalyn, Colby, and Cindy to get my next slot at Nerdy Book Club!
Thank you for reading!
The English teacher in me is rejoicing! Thank you for not just encouraging students to read but to ingest books. The author in me is partial to that second part!
Thank you! And I agree fully with the ingesting of books, as Mr. Hankins can attest for!
Thank you, Stacy. I was able to show Sarah some of the feedback on this post. I think she will be back a little later to respond to comments. It’s been a thrilling day for both of us (and I am a pretty regular contributor).
Wow! This brought tears to my eyes-what an amazing piece of writing. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you for reading, it means so much to me!
This was beautiful. Goodnight Moon has been a longtime favorite of my own, so this brought tears to my eyes. Sarah is a gifted writer. What a privilege to teach her!
It was my favorite book when I was younger, and I am so glad I got this chance to share it! Thank you for reading!
This writing is outstanding! Most adults can’t write like this! I do hope we eventually see more work from this very talented, creative young mind 🙂 This is the second time today I’ve been “blown away” by creativity and talent. Thanks for sharing this with us, Paul (and Sarah!) 😀
Thank you so much. Your comment means so much to me, to the point where I cannot accurately express it in words! Thank you so much for reading, and for commenting!
Thank you so very much to everyone who read this, both those that commented and those that did not. I am completely overcome with joy and excitement because of this opportunity, and I do not think I can ever tell all of you thank you enough. I have always enjoyed reading, even when I was little, and as soon as I was able, I began writing anything I could think of. I never dreamed I would be able to share my work with others in any fashion such as this, and the fact that everyone seems to like what I have created is amazing. Mr. Hankins is an outstanding teacher, and the opportunities that he gives to students (such as this one) make the school environment a better place. I owe this entire experience to him and the connections he has through his love of reading and writing.
Once again, THANK YOU all so very much for reading!
Thank you for sharing this with us. For a moment, I became that freshly cracked spine. I couldn’t help but pull that orange and green covered book off my shelf tonight to share it with my young daughter. I look forward to reading Sarah’s future pieces of work. Her voice showed through the whole piece.
As a Mom who also had Good Night Moon memorized, this brings back a lot of nostalgia.
This was an amazing piece. Thanks for sharing!
Love it when kids teach us….bravo
Reblogged this on Library Mom and commented:
My son went through a phase where he absolutely loved “Goodnight Moon,” so I can definitely identify with this. It is a very neat perspective and a great paper as well.