Age:
High School
Reading Level: 2.5
Chapter 1
If you are looking for a regular story, this probably isn't it.
You see, a regular story happens in a fantasy world. It has everything worked out. All the characters have a happy ending. The hero gets the girl, or the princess gets her guy. The evil person is sent away or goes to jail.
This is not that story.
This story doesn't have a princess, or a hero. There is no evil villain who gets justice. This story is real and true. And you know life doesn't end up neat and perfect.
This is my story. This is what I learned about life and dreams and love and hard work. Maybe it will help you. Maybe you will see me and not have to learn the lesson the way I did.
This is the story of how I became a writer. It is the story of how this book came to be.
Chapter 2
"So, you see, the Pythagorean theorem explains how to find the length of the sides of a right triangle..."
It was 7th period math class, and I was bored. Again. I pulled my notebook out of my purse and flipped to an open page. If I had 20 more minutes of listening to Mr. Harper talk, I might as well do something interesting.
"A squared plus B squared equals C squared. C is your hypotenuse. So, if A squared is 9 and B squared is 16..."
I pulled out my favorite light blue gel pen and began to write. The rain pounding on the window gave me an idea.
Outside the window
Raindrops pour down, as hard as...
As hard as what? Tears? Hammers? Rocks?
You see, people have the wrong idea about haiku. They think you can just write anything, make it 17 syllables, and it will work. But it doesn't. It will just give you a crappy sentence.
I didn't want a crappy sentence. But what could I put in there?
Leaves? Leaves don't fall hard. Darn it!
Chapter 3
"That means x squared is equal to 25. So, how do we figure out the value of x?"
Mia looked over at me from her seat across the aisle. "Ashira, what you doin’? You writing this down? ’Cause I don't get a word he is saying."
"Shut up, Mia, before you get me in trouble!" I said.
"I just want to see what you're writing!" said Mia. "Lemme get your notes!"
"Mia, stop it! These ain't notes!" I whispered.
"Just lemme see..." said Mia.
"Ms. Thompson, do you want to tell us the answer? I'm sure that's what you and Ms. Bailey were whispering about, wasn't it?" I looked up into Mr. Harper's glaring red face. "If A squared plus B squared is 25, then..."
"Then C is 5, Mr. Harper."
If anything, Mr. Harper turned even redder. "That is correct, Ms. Thompson. But I wish you would direct your words to me instead of your classmates when I am teaching."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Harper."
I cut my eyes at Mia, who was trying to sink down in her seat. Mr. Harper kept talking. I knew I was going to catch it later. Mr. Harper always called home. And Mama was not going to be happy.
At least Mr. Harper gave me the idea to finish my haiku. What fell hard? Words.
Outside the window
Raindrops pour down, as hard as
My words on a page.
I finished the line, closed my notebook, and dropped my head on the desk.
No, Mama was not going to let this go. Not a chance in the world.