Fourth-grader Jenny yearns for recognition. When her class is assigned to pretend to be a mouse and write a letter to a pen pal with a second-grader, Jenny struggles. Even worse Jenny is disappointed when her classmates start to receive letters in return and her own pen pal just writes a brief note. Then, Jenny learns that Sameera, her pen pal, has recently arrived from Saudi Arabia and only knows a little English, so Jenny decides to try to help her and become her friend. A wonderful example of great teaching and of how helping someone else can make you feel better about yourself.

Contributed by B. Karp