Winning Essays
Topic: Reading
changes your life
By Cassia
Gravesande
The best novels are the ones that open your mind and help you understand
life and people. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson is one
of those sensational pieces of writing. This outstanding novel opened
my eyes and helped me to appreciate life in a different, but better
way. It showed me to appreciate life and family because just like that,
they can be destroyed and disappear. Jacob Have I Loved grabs
you in by the words and helps you to deal with (unwanted) emotions and
conflicts that regular people experience everyday; whether it’s love,
jealousy, hatred, or remorse this book shows it. Not only did this
novel teach me to view things differently, it also taught me to be true
to myself, follow my dreams, and let my heart speak.
For example, when my sister and I have a conflict and she does something
like boast and acts disdainfully toward me, I’m not afraid to speak my
heart and try to understand her and her motives. But before I do speak,
I try to see it from her eyes; her point of view. I don’t stop until
all the problems are worked out. In addition, when my sister makes
herself the center of attention and I feel left out, I just think
Jacob Have I Loved and realize I’m loved and no one can take that
away and no one can take my place. The novel, Jacob Have I Loved,
helped me to do this and not keep my emotions bundled up inside me. When
Louise kept all her emotions bundled up inside from her sister she
eventually blew. All her emotions scattered. She didn’t know herself
for who she was anymore, she practically went crazy. All the jealousy,
hatred, love, and remorse she kept inside from Caroline just left her
body. Louise’s and Caroline’s relationship never was the same after
that.
Additionally, this magnificent novel showed me to persevere and reflect
on myself. Jacob Have I Loved showed me that sometimes you’re
the one stopping yourself from following your dreams. So now anytime
I’m faced with an obstacle I look back at myself and reflect and see
what I can do better.
Anyway, I highly recommend this novel. Even the title makes you
wonder. So think Jacob Have I Loved and you’ll always be true,
open minded and reflect on yourself.
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