Dear Mr. Kilmer

by Anne E. Schraff

After reading Joyce Kilmer's poetry, farm boy Richard Knight begins a correspondance with the soldier-poet about his own writing, even as he worries about the war in Europe and the way people treat his German American neighbor, Hannah.

Genres: Novels

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Anne Elaine Schraff grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from California State University at Northridge and taught high school for ten years.

Anne paid her way through college by writing short stories for magazines. Since college she has written hundreds of stories and over eighty books including historical fiction, biographies, science books, and her favorite, fictional books for young people. She is published as both Anne Schraff and Anne E. Schraff.

Her background, which she describes as "multicultural, lower middle-class neighborhood, including African Americans, Mexican Americans, Arab Americans, and Filipino Americans," is her greatest inspiration when writing.

Reviews

[Avery De Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly did not expect the Malaysian Education Ministry to pick a book like this one for the literature component. The story of Richard's journey in embracing his love for writing poetry and developing personal opinions of the war was simple, yet heartwarming. Its lesson was unbiased and refreshing in comparison to most war stories that we have heard of, which focuses on the glory of patriotism and dying for one's own country. Each character has their own sort of development and it can be seen that no one can really have a good or bad opinion on something. It's all how they perceive it based on how they are affected. What I love most are the relationship developments between Richard and some of the most important people in his life; his Pa, Mr. Kilmer, and Hannah Schermer. The ending was bittersweet, but we now know that Richard has learned so much and also has a lot more to look forward to in the future. This book is clearly underrated and I do hope that students around the country would show appreciation for it.

[pages of ainul · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book for my school English literature and loved it, I think it's perfect because as it is simple it basically discussed a lot of topics that I think are very important for today's society. poetry doesn't make you a 'sissy' and we shouldn't treat anyone differently regardless of their background. that's what I learned by reading this book. and even though I feel as if I was being forced to read this for school I do enjoy the read and giving it a 5-star rating because this is the only literature book for school that I finished reading lol

[Meg Chia (bibliophilogy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

read it for English class!

[Quinns Pheh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good quick-read. It is just simply good in the story telling and the characters is very nicely done. I really like how the relationships between Richard and Mr. Joyce Kilmer and also the friendship with Hannah and her German family. such a great book that I done it within hours.
My ratings: 9/10

[Kim Arfa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was forced to read this because it's the novel for literature this year at my school. From the cover, I thought I would have hated this one but I have found myself completely wrong. This book was an easy read and Richard is such a sweet guy. This book has taught me a lot.


Officially my first read in 2016, haha.

[Jane Loh Qian Yi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this for school, it was a pretty average read for me, would love to read more detailed back-story for the characters, but I do appreciate the author's intention to demonstrate great character growth through his experiences. Otherwise, the language is very straightforward with little to ponder over.

[Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely in love with this one, im not much of a reader but this book made read it again and again. I downloaded this app just to rate this book, i dont think i've ever done something like this. I really hope to find more book like this one in the future

[Balqis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about Richard Knight, a farm boy who is
passionate about writing poems. He cannot relate well
with his brother who appears very interested in hunting
animals and sports. He finds himself unable to kill animals
as he finds them beautiful. His father understands his pain
but tells him that death is a part of life. In school Richard
gets a chance to listen to a poem by Joyce Kilmer and
is impressed by the thoughts expressed in it. With the
support of his teacher, he begins a correspondence with
Kilmer and also mentions that he writes poems. This starts
a beautiful relationship between Kilmer and Richard
Kilmer joins the army to fight the enemy. Richard
worries about the war as it affects the way people
treat foreigners in his own town. A student, Hannah,
is shunned by the classmates because of her German
background. Richard stands up to support her and is
ostracised too. Richard and Hannah become good friends.
Some of the townspeople also rally around when they
realise that Hannah's family is patriotic to the country they
live in.
Kilmer gets killed in the war. It is most heartbreaking
for Richard who is shattered by the news. He writes a
beautiful poem about the pain of losing a friend and
it appears in the local paper. Richard is most pleasantly
surprised and comforted when his father tells him
that the poem expresses well the pain he felt when
he lost his brother in another war. There is mutual
understanding as father and son talk over things that had
not been mentioned before. The war too comes to an end
and Richard hopes that anti-German sentiments would
also fade.
Richard is sensitive and gentle; someone who wishes
that society will treat everyone in a just and humane
manner. Reality, unfortunately is a different matter.

[Aishy]

Based on the story, there are many lessons that we can take as a guide in our life. In this story I know that one of them is the importance of friendship. Richard develops a friendship with Hannah. He first becomes close to her when he notices that the cover of her book has been scrawled with the words 'Dirty Hun'. As a friend, he stands by her and supports her. When she declines the role of Lady Liberty, he tries first to talk her out of them. After listening to her explanation, he accepts it and decides to decline the role of Doughboy. When Hannah hears this, she decides to accompany him to see Mrs. Hansen about it. She too offers him her support. Friendship is also important because when you have a true friend, you do not need anyone else. In addition, there also show fillial love. Gus love Richard his brother, he advises him to fitting in with community so he will not be isolated by them. Then, Pa still cant forget his brother Roland after the war with Spain in Cuba and also Richard loves Angie by helping her doing the housechores like washing the dishes at the kitchen. Beside than what I have listed, there are also many things that we will learn to improve our life in all situation. That is all from me review about Dr Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff, the author of five books in the Bluford Series, is a full-time writer. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned a B.A. and M.A. from California State University, Northridge. Schraff taught high school from 1967 to 1977 at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, San Diego, California. Thank you for reading my review about this interesting story.

[S. Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book because it was a part of my school literature book. I'm supposed to be sending off this book again in a day, but decided to gave it a read first.

I love the message it sent, I'm actually glad it was chosen to be a literature book picked by the government although I'm sure it's a very small percent6 that actually read or used it this year.

The settings of old America in the middle of war being surrounded by prejudice, judgement and hatred passed around, it sends a good message to not be judgemental and that no one should be qualified someone just if they follow the norm.

The old thinking of "don't be unique" was painful to see, although the lead character shows a good courage especially for a teenager who would finds it harder to go against everyone else.

Although the ending is a happy one, the ending for Mr. Kilmer was sadly not, though it shows the truth of the war and how the useless action of it cost human life.

Overall a great short read if you're looking for something meaningful that's compact.

[Amirah Jahirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel by Anne Schraff appeals to me. People who are interested in poetry will most likely like reading this book.
Readers may learn about what life was like in the early 1940s. One of the most intriguing aspects of this narrative was Richard, the main character, who is a 15-year-old boy who has a strong interest in poetry and has written numerous poems on his own. It's charming to me because it is difficult to compose a poem, though for an adult.
This novel was excellently written. It includes numerous aspects such as friendship, love, understanding, familial ties, and many more.
Also, this novel will assist other people who are afraid to openly speak up about their interests, particularly to their family and friends. It might be not easy at times, but we must try.
I give the book five stars because I love the way this story flows. It is smooth and easy to understand.

[Anis Noh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfaction reading for a short novel. I must say this novel was an accurate option to be read by students. It gives a spirit to work on our passion and determination in making it comes true.

I always believe the roles of people in this world are different to one another. In this novel, it showed that even though you were not going to the war and fight the enemies, you can contribute to other things; like in this novel it showed that the role of a poet, to live up the living people that lose their family in the war. So never belittle people roles, keep doing what we master and with that way, we also can give ours.

[alisée anöuilh · Rating 5 out of 5]

its my school literature book for my last year as a high schooler :D and oh my god, that part took a turn… for a minute i was in richies shoes (was legit mourning) i was totally not expecting it ESPECIALLY RIGHT ON HIS WAY TO SEND THE LETTER BACK oh lord have mercy , imagine if he doesnt stop by hannahs and send the letter anyway and came back home with that news lordddddd. Hence, it was a nice quick easy reading kind of get me out of my reading slump so yay

[Mohamed Zaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very heart-touching tale of the connection between a young boy who aspires to be a poet and a soldier who is a poet....both of them have same interests in poetry and develop a strong and deep poetic relationship amidst World War I......

[Cing Chee · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studied this book during my final year of high school last year for English. I've probably read it like 5 times already. It's pretty good.

[Ira Nadhirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this because i teach a boy for his SPM. It was a simple book but with great values. What an ending!

[nai · Rating 5 out of 5]

love everything about this

[Elizabeth Shwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember tearing up reading this for English class. Was rather reminiscent of Dear Mr Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

[Myraaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I'll never look down on poets ever again

[Lilishccino 🧸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it for my english class and loved every single page of it.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard, who is so pure hearted and lovely, has always had a warm spot in my heart. Because it's a short book, the story moved quickly. But I wasn't expecting the outcome.

[Amirah A Bakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this because this is a part of the new Literature Component for Form 5 this year. Thinking from a teacher's view, what worries me is how the students will take such a simple book that can create amazing thoughts into their studies.

I myself enjoyed it well. I love the details, and the poems in this book are amazing. There are times I feel worried, sad, and anger reading this. Other times, I feel hopeful and happy knowing that Richard (and almost everyone in this book) is doing his best.

A good read, and more than anything else, I wish for my students to be able to enjoy the delight of reading this book.

[Kellwinr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of novels, unlike any other novels, this is a very easy to read novel/literature for secondary schools. This is also an interesting Novel to read, after reading 3 chapters, I just wanted to continue reading. Besides that, this novel made me cry several times as well as there are few/lots of sad/emotional parts. The language used in this book is very straightforward and short.

I wish that there's a full version of this book that is more detailed and longer. Really liked the characters inside of this novel.

[Benjamin Koo Wei Jie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a good book, not the best but it gave the readers a sense of hope that humanity is still alive even in the mist of the misery of war. good book for leisure

[Sulaiman Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's okay. Quite sad. Only cried at least 5 times. Keeps rereading it. Hope it helps my SPM. #1317

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wouldn't have read this if it wasn't for school but it isn't a bad book at all! Very short and doesn't have a very complicated story so I can see why they chose this for students.