The Passionate Writer

Do you remember the first time you found something you were passionate about? I remember being in first grade and getting promoted to the advanced readers group. I remember sitting at the table and getting frustrated when other kids couldn't sound the words out because it lost the fluidity and rhythm of the sentence. I probably could have been nicer about that, but, as a young reader, I was so passionate about words. I remember the book fair coming to my school's library and asking my mom for money to buy Babysitter's Club and Goosebumps books. I would sometimes read them in one sitting, totally focused on the story, the sentences, the words. Writing became a passion later in high school. As I entered my teenage years I became obsessed with poetry and journaling, writing down everything my young mind could come up with. While visual arts eventually became my major focus, writing has been a part of my daily life for many years.

In chapter 9 of The Distance Between Us, Reyna is offered her first big writing assignment. It's a school wide contest in which each student would write there own book. Only 3 students could win. Reyna is immediately thrilled. "I will finally get my chance to make Papi proud!" (Grande 215) Reyna is helped by her ESL teacher Mr. Lopez. Reyna struggles to find a topic until she lands on her favorite story. The story of her birth. She works so hard with Mr. Lopez to write her story, revising it until it's as good as can be. She finally bind her book and hands it in. She's so excited to how her classroom teacher, Ms. Anderson, will react to her story. As Ms. Anderson makes her way through the pile of other students books, Reyna can barely contain herself. Finally, Ms. Anderson makes it to Reyna's book, flips through in seconds, and puts it into the discard pile. Reyna is completely crestfallen. Of the eight books chosen to move up in the contest, none of them were written by the English learners. Mr. Lopez, "There is no reason for any of you not to get ahead in life. You will learn English one day. You will find your way. Remember, it doesn't matter where you come from. You're now living in the land of opportunity, where anything is possible." (Grande 218) Upon hearing these words, Reyna promises herself, "One day, I will write a book that won't be rejected, one that will make my father proud." (Grande 218)

From this point on, Reyna works hard to improve her English reading and writing.By eighth grade she graduated from her ESL program and reads voraciously. She enters a writing contest and wins! She finds herself in college and discovers literature written by Latina authors. It's as if her passion propels her forward, through the abuse, through the uncertainty. Imagine what we could do if we could find what our students are passionate about and use that to help motivate and inspire them. I wonder how the achievement gap would look if students were taught with their passions and strengths in mind, rather than just test scores? 

Grande, Reyna. The Distance Between Us. 2012. New York. Washington Square Press.