1. Charlene had always dreamed about being a writer. She liked to put her thoughts and feelings on paper. She also liked rhyming words. One day in school, the principal announced a fund raiser to collect money for school computers. The school would sell greeting cards. But here was the twist: the artwork and messages inside would be created by the students.

2. Charlene was excited. “I’m going to do this,” she told her friend Penny. “I’ll do it, too,” Penny said. Charlene began that night, but she had so many thoughts swirling through he head she could not catch any and put them on paper. Finally, she settled on the idea of a card for getting a new pet. She worked on her poem for a couple days, then submitted it to the greeting card committee.

3. But her card was not chosen. At first Charlene was upset. Then she was mad. “I know I can write good poems,” she said to herself. She just needed to practice. She talked it over with Penny. Then Charlene, Penny, and their friend Constance formed a writing club. Once a week, they got together after school and read their stories and poems to one another.

4. Charlene and her friends improved quickly with the regular practice and each other’s help Charlene was still disappointed she had not won the contest, but she knew she’d be ready for the next one.

5. 1) Why didn’t Charlene give up on writing after she didn’t win the contest? 2) What are some things you love to do so much that you won’t give up on them?