Extra Credit

That don’t judge a book by its cover is a common saying, but this truly applies to the experience of my reading this book “Extra Credit,” which was written by Andrew Clements, who also wrote the best-selling book “Frindle.” Although I’ve read a lot of books of the author, I didn’t expect that I would read such a deep and refreshing book, but I did.

The book is mainly about Abby, a girl living in Illinois, the United States of America. She wrote pen pal letters to Sadeed, a boy living in Afghanistan, for she wanted to get extra credit in order not to be left back. They shared thoughts about the landscape in their homeland, which are mountains and plains. They introduced their own culture by words and pictures, and so on. They never physically met each other, but they became really good friends as the author described in the book ---“It struck Sadeed that right now he probably knew more about this Abby Carson in America than he had ever known about any other girl in his whole life, including his own sister.” Although the project didn’t last long due to some radical voice and the concern about the student security in Sadeed’s village, the author gave both of them a good end: they could see the world in a wholly different way.

The author conveys an interesting idea that if the senders send something no one has ever touched before, then the receiver will be the second person in the history to touch it. This kind of thought surely makes people excited and I feel that way, too. I really like some of the setting in the book, especially sending letters to the opposite of the globe, getting connected to a person you have never and never will meet. Only think about the fact that this specific letter has gone all the way through the ocean and mountains, just to reach you for you to read, it’s absolutely a fantastic experience. Thankfully, I’ve gotten some chances to write to a pen pal in my senior high school life. However, they all live in Taiwan just as I do. It will be much more fun to have a pen pal overseas, so I’m looking forward to getting this kind of opportunity.

I also got a glance about the cultural differences between the two countries in this book. The U.S.A. represents the so called “Modern Society” while Afghanistan is part of the traditional Islamic world. They share almost nothing in common, so the only reason for the two main characters to build friendship was they are both innocent and simple children---also they can both use English to communicate.

I think the most significant difference lies in the attitude toward gender equality, especially toward women. Women don’t get enough respect and freedom in Afghanistan; some men still think of themselves as better people, so they prohibit their daughters from going to school and most of the women must wear scarves and dresses no matter where they go. On the contrary, women in America can do anything and go to anywhere whenever they like if they have the abilities to do so, and every girl can receive the same education just as their male classmates do. Even though women’s position has improved a lot in these centuries recently, yet lots of them still suffer in their life as females.

A lot of people in this world still struggle for living, and they must face those disadvantages in their daily life. Nevertheless, they remain constructive and overcome the challenges. After reading, I think I really should be thankful for everything I have. I really own a lot, such as good education, comfortable environment, and a convenient life. However, I shouldn’t take them for granted. There shall be more praises than complaints, more giving than receiving, more love than hatred. I only get a little power, but I can change the world around me.