A Heartfelt Letter About Con-fidence

Mr. Strasser: Hello, my name is Isabel, and I am a 17-year old just about to graduate from high school. My reason for e-mailing you is simply to thank you for writing your book, Confidence. I don't quite remember how old I was when I bought your book, but I think I must have been in elementary school, maybe 4th or 5th grade. I bought it at my school book fair, I do remember that much. Every time I read Confidence, I become enraptured with Lauren's story and her reliance on Celeste, and I can completely relate to Lauren and her struggles trying to fit in. I had trouble in middle school, just like she did, with feeling like an outsider and feeling I could never be part of the DYWYWM crowd. And not only did I have that in common with Lauren, but we were also both figure skaters! So I would laugh at her and Rob's "triple axel double toe loop" joke, because I got it. So what I'm really trying to say is, I still read your book Confidence to this day. It has become my "comfort book," if you understand my meaning -- that book you always turn to when you're feeling sad, or emotional, or when you just want a good read that you are familiar with, and is great every time -- that's Confidence for me. I love this book, and the characters, and the story. It's a story that nearly all girls can identify with, and just so honest and true. It has become a very important part of my life, I believe I will continue to read it all through my days. I'm about to go off to college soon, and I'm most definitely going to take it with me. I'll need it. So I just wanted to tell you that your book made a difference. Sincerely, Isabel