Honorable Mention
Letters About Literature 2002
Level II

Dear Anonymous,

For some reason, it feels weird writing to an anonymous person. I mean, I could be writing to anybody. It seems like I know so much about the person who wrote Go Ask Alice, but I don't even know her name. I guess I should be addressing this letter to the publishers of this book because "anonymous" wasn't writing a book, just keeping a journal. Well, her journal gave me a good look at the reality of drug use and life as a runaway.

I grew up surrounded by drugs. It was a very normal thing to see the neighbors lighting a joint or to have my dad come home at night drunk out of his mind. My dad owned a brewery so this was very common. For a very long time, I never even considered drugs to be a bad thing. The thought of alcohol being harmful didn't occur to me. Around the age of twelve, my best friend introduced me to a book. The book was Go Ask Alice. I remember her saying how she cried, laughed, and slept with this book during the two days it took her to read it. She told me I had to read this book and it would change my life forever. I was skeptical at first, but in the end, I was very surprised.

Immediately, I was glued to the book. I couldn't set it down because I was so intrigued, alarmed, and surprised by the situations the anonymous girl went through. I felt like I had known this girl for years and was experiencing her life with her. When I read the last entry, I thought she was going to be all right. Then on the next page, I came to find out that she had died not longer after she quit writing in her journal. I was completely shocked! It came from nowhere and blew me away.

I'm not sure how long I spent thinking about it, but I'm sure it was a significant amount of time. My outlook on drugs was changed forever. I no longer thought smoking and drinking were acceptable. In fact, I insisted that the people around me quit, or not smoke in my presence. Cold turkey was not in my dad's plans, but he did agree to not expose me to his second-hand smoke any more.

At the tender age of thirteen, peer pressure is a very big issue, including peer pressure to do drugs. Thanks to the knowledge I gained from one of the most touching books I have ever read, I was able to recognize the situations I found myself in as being dangerous. Because I was aware these situations were harmful, I was able to turn down drugs and alcohol. If it weren't for that book, I might not have realized the power that drugs have. I can honestly say I am a drug free teenager in a loving family, with the knowledge needed to sustain a healthy life in our not so sober world.

I would like to thank the group of people that made the publishing of the anonymous girl's diary possible. For I'm sure it not only changed my life, but other's too.

Sincerely,

Heather Kelly

Heather Kelly
8th Grade
Girdwood Elementary/Junior High School, Girdwood, Alaska
Teacher: Mrs. Onslow/Ms Gann