DEAR MR.KILMER (By Anne Schraff)

CHAPTER 1

   Early morning during the above freezing February air, Richard Knight, Gus and Pa went to deer hunting. Pa hopes that Richard will shoot his first deer on that da. However, Richard purposely misfired to avoid killing the beautiful young buck.

   

   When asked by his Pa, Richard explained to Pa that he did not have the right to kill the animals. Richard felt satisfied after he shared his feeling with Pa. Pa confessed that he grieved every time he shot an animal. There was a look in his eyes, maybe he was remembering his wife or his brother, Roland who was killed in a war in Cuba.

   Gus tried to encourage his brother to be more sociable and scolding him for missing the shot. He suggested Richard join baseball when the school reopened. Gus was active in sports meanwhile Richard loves farming.

 After dinner, Pa and Gus started talk about sports. Richard went to the kitchen to help his sister Angie who has taking care of the house after their mother die. Richard went to his room, and took a piece of paper and pen and started writing a poem about ‘How a Deer been killed and he put in the drawer on top of other poems and he did not want anyone to know about it.  

CHAPTER 2

   The snow has come to an end. The school has started again in the month of April, America declares war on Germany. One morning, Richard’s English teacher, Mrs Hansen tells the class that a famous poet, Joyce Kilmer has just volunteered for army service in the ongoing world war. She reads a poem entitled “Tree” written by Joyce Kilmer to the class. Some students think poems are for sissies, but Richard is fascinated by the beauty of  the simple poem . Mrs Hansen explains that poets are not sissies and gives some example of poets are not sissies and gives example of poets who join the army.

   Richard borrows Mrs Hansen poetry book by Joyce Kilmer and secretly jotted down the New York  Time editors office address . On the way back home, Richard meets Hannah Schermers, the pretty girl of German crying in the hallway because someone had scrawled the words “dirty hun” on her book cover. Richard confronts his classmate who then reveal their hatred toward Germans and consider Hannah as one of their enemy.

   At home, Richard  read the books he borrows from Mrs Hansen . There he decides to write to Mr.Kilmer, he introduces himself and tells him that he likes his simple poems and shares about his secret poetry writing. He asks for Mr.Kilmer’s advice whether he should keep it as a secret. He sents the letter to the New York Times.   

CHAPTER 3

  

   A terrible incident has happen at the tavern own by Hannah Schermers parents. It has been vandalised. To instill good values among the students, Mrs Hansen encourage her students to sign a card to express their sympathy and regret for Hannah and her family. Mrs Hansen was shocked at the protest by more vocal students and the culture of fear created by the class bullies which stop some sincere students from signing.

   In the end, only Richard sign the card. Richard action causes the student taunt him for supporting the Germans. Richard approaches his teacher and asked the card and he want to personally deliver it to the Schermers.

   On his way, Richard was attacked by Abner and Harry but he manages to win the fight. Before proceed to the Schermers, Richard add some nice words on the card. At the tavern, Richard was shock with its condition. He passes the card to a sad and reluctant Hannah. Richard feels terrible as he walks home and keep pondering about the people of Turtle Lake On his way home, he climbs an old oak tree to watch a train pass by. He sees passenger happily travelling. As he reaches home, Angie running unexpectedly towards him with news that he has received a letter from New York. It is from Joyce Kilmer!!

CHAPTER 4

   Richard is thrilled to receive the letter  from a famous poet. Joyce Kilmer letter to Richard consists simple answer and advice. He encourages him to pursue his poetic dreams with courage and confidence. He invites Richard to write again and sent him one of his poem.

   Richard shared his letter with his family during  dinner. He tries to be braved to share about his poems writing but he was disappointed because they do not know Joyce Kilmer. Pa was surprise when Richard told him he writes poem, but he did not interested to read them. So do Gus and Angie.

   Richard  went to his room to reply Mr.Kilmer’s letter. Gus comes to the room and teases Richard on his sissy poems. Gus also advises him to try to fit in with his friends.

   Next morning, Richard goes to see Mrs Hansen to tell about the letter. She is very impressed. Richard shows her a few of his favourite poems and she helps to select one to sent to Mr.Kilmer. Mrs Hansen encourages him to share the letter to the class but Richard is not ready yet. Richard meets Hannah right after he comes out from Mrs Hanse room. She apologises to Richard for her rudeness last time they met. She also shares her feeling and problems with Richard. Richard climb the oak tree again and sees the train with a load of merry soldiers on their way to war. Richard is sad thing about Mr.Kilmer and Otto, Hannah’s brother.  

CHAPTER 5

   It was the end of the school and Richard shared Mr.Kilmer’s letter to the class. After a mixed response from the students, Richard reads the second letter from Mr.Kilmer which he shares about his family, his training and his posting in France. He also praises Richard poetic talents. This time the class hushed up and some find new respect for Richard. Richard is relieved that his secret that his secret is out.

   Mrs Hansen wants Richard to read the poem his going to send to Mr.Kilmer which is about soldiers going to war. Hannah suggests idea for the last line and Richard gladly adopts it.

   In history class, Mr Higby described about the current battle. He explains that the terms Huns is not related to present-day German. Mr Highby also reminded his class to keep abreast of war during the summer holiday.

    During the summer, Richard works on the family farm. He enjoy horseback riding and herding the cattle. He also noticed that his father was always unhappy. One night, he wrote a poem about his Pa and very pleased with his word.

   Richard received a  reply from Mr.Kilmer. He praised Richard’s poem on the soldiers and he also comments on President’s Wilson dreams about that this war will end all war.

CHAPTER 6

   Richard and Kilmer  exchanged a number of letter throughout the summer, Richard sents a poem with each letter and always delighted to receive encouragement and suggestion for improvement . In early September, Kilmer told Richard that he had finally arrived in France. Richard was hoping that the war would end before Mr.Kilmer went to Europe.

   School started again, Mrs Hansen announced a plan to hold a patriotic programme to help sell Liberty Bonds, which helped finance to war. The show will involve music and singing war songs. The most special part is a boy and a girl will be chosen to play the role of Lady Liberty and Doughboy wearing a soldier’s uniform. The main roles will be played by the boy and girl who writes the best essays. Each student secretly dreamed of playing the roles.

   Richard wrote about his idea to exchange letters between students and  soldiers oversea to help overcome the feeling  of  lonely and homesick. Futhermore, the students can learn what life at the front was like.

   A few days later, Mrs Hansen announced the winner. Richard and Hannah won and get the roles. They read their essays in front of the class, but when it was Hannah’s turn, no one applause. Except Richard.         

CHAPTER 7

   Next day at school, Mrs Hansen told the class, Hannah declined the role. When Richard asked Hannah, why, she said she saw how everybody reacted. So she withdrew to avoid causing people more pain. To show his support, Richard also gives up the role of Doughboy. He dislikes the mean, biased behaviour of his friends. After school, Richard and Hannah walk home and spend a happy time together.

   The next day, Mrs Hansen announces the name of students for the role. Although being insult  by his schoolmates, Richard do not bother. Hannah invites Richard to her house for supper that night. Richard inform Gus to tell Pa that he would not be home for dinner. Gus also made harsh comments toward Richard about the incident that day. It seem that everyone heard the news already.

   Richard spends a delightful evening with the Schermers. He was fascinated by their culture, learning and travelling. He is thrilled when Hannah’s parents tell him that he is always welcome in their home.

   When he returns home, Pa is waiting on the garden swing and said they need to talk!

  

CHAPTER 8

   Pa told Richard that Abner’s father come by and the accused Richard for being unpatriotic and supported the Germans. Pa wants Richard  not to be contrary with the ordinary to feel. He blames Richrd ‘s poetry fill his head with foolish ideas. Pa word almost make Richard cry.

   At school, most students ignore Richard and make malicious comments from time to time. He spend more time with Hannah and her family. The Schermers seem to understand him more.

   Richard receives a sad letter from Mr.Kilmer who misses his family during Chrismast. To cheer him up, They send Hsnnah’s bake cookies  and a scarf knit by Hannah’s mother. Mr.Kilmer writes that he really appreciates it.

   In History class, Mr Highby announces a major victory  over Central Power, and this brings happy mood to the class.

   They end with a picnic for everyone by the lake. Richard date Hannah. They talk about the places that Hannah had been. Richard hopes he has the chances to visit the places too. They also share their worries about the war.

   Richard carves a heart shape with the initial R and H on an oak tree. Suddenly, someone from the bushes fling a stone at Hanna’s foot and cause it to bleed – Another reminder of the reality of war and prejudice.

    

CHAPTER 9

   Pa was dismayed when Gus announced that he was enlisted and chosen for the army. He will go for basic training the next day. Pa accused him of being lazy and this is just an excuse to run away from the farm duties.

   Pa’s angry outburst and relate about his brother, who was killed in Cuba  silences Gus. Richard tried to talk to Gus but he refused to listen. Before leaving, Gus tried to talk to his father, but he was unresponsive. Richard begins to understand Hannah’s worry about her brother Otto, who join army earlier. Pa is more silent  after Gus left. Richard find comfort visiting the Schermers and writing poems.

   One afternoon, Richard received another letter from Mr.Kilmer. Richard thought that this is the kindest and warmest letter the poet had ever written to him. There are many advices and encouragements in it. He writes a reply, and asks how the poem can a poem make the world a better place. He feels the urgency to post the letter.

    On his way to the post office, he stops by Hannah’s house.  He calls her to accompany him to the post office. When Hannah opens the door, he could tell from her expression that something awful had happened. “Your Friend, Mr.Kilmer, has been killed”, Hannahs says.

CHAPTER 10

   The news of Mr.Kilmer’s death is in the newspaper. The headline “Beloved American Pet killed in Battle.” There is a picture of Mr.Kilmer. Richard gazes at the smiling face of his poet mentor and friend, for the first time. The article recounts the circumstances of Kilmer’s death and how his comrades bury him in France.

   Richard is too shocked to cry, but when he realises that the unposted letter is still in his pocket, reality strikes, He excused himself from the Schermers and run to his favourite oak tree where he cries freely.

   Richard composes a poem “In Memory Of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer”, expressing sadness over the loss of a world rhyme and song he had treasured. He shares the poem with the Schermers the next day and they insist that more people should read it. The poem it touching and beautiful. Many families in Turtle Lake also  loss their loved ones and Richard’s poem would mean a lot to them.

    Richard agrees, so he and Hannah took the poem to the “Turtle Lake Weekly” office to be published. However, Richard fears what Pa’s reaction if his poem is printed.

   On Tuesday, the poem is in the newspaper. Richard is hiding in his room when Pa walks in. He looks calm and tranquil. Pa told him about uncle Roland’s death in a war, and Richard’s poem reflects how he actually feel. Now he understood why Richard wrote poems. Richard too understand, how a poem can make the world a better place.

   The war end in mid-November by the Allies. The Knight family are poring the story about the end of history’s most terrible war. Pa is relieved but thinks its funny that Gus is still in training but the war is over and done.

   Hannah’s brother, Otto came home to a hero’s welcome parade. Richard hopes that anti-German feeling will last.

   Richard poetry’s became regular feature in the Turtle Lake Weekly. His poetry always dealt with farm life and he is always consult his father first about farm’s life. Every night after dinner Richard and Pa would read his latest poem and Pa often had a correction or suggestion. Richard  found his father’s idea as helpful as Mr.Kilmer had  been.\

   In other times, Pa would simply enjoy the poem and he would say with a smile and a nod. “That’s good son, that’s really good”.