Norwalk, CT 06851

(203)-849-1352

Mr. Miller81

West Rocks Road

Norwalk, CT 06851

Dear Mr. Miller,

I recently read the invigorating “I Am Legend,” which started with a bang and had me thirsting for more throughout the entire read. I came across the book lying around the house on a sick day from school, and I’m glad I did. Even through a 102 degree temperature, I pounded through the book because I just couldn’t stop. A good amount of my sleep was lost over the next few days.

The author, Richard Matheson does away with all the annoying and boring setup and throws you straight into the fray. As you read, intensity continues to spike as you piece together Robert Neville’s (The protagonist) history and how he came to be in his current predicament. Chapters throughout the book end in blazing cliffhangers that force you to read on, and Matheson often has you weeping over Neville’s losses.

In my 750 word article, I want to talk “I Am Legend.” Matheson gave me a flavorful book that I really enjoyed, just when I needed one, and I want to do the same for other people in need of a good book. In my article, not only will I review the book and tell why people should read it, but I will also compare the book with the movie. Anyone who saw the movie a few years ago will be interested in the article, people who enjoyed the book read it simply because it is more on a well-loved book, and people who have experienced the best of both worlds will look forward to a fresh viewpoint. People will want to read this article, and I hope you think so too.

TOUHY FAMILY MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Gavin Schuerch, student reporter

As the Touhy family drove home late the Saturday night of April 26, they couldn’t help but notice Michael Oher, sloshing through the pouring rain towards some unknown destination with a plastic shopping bag filled with an extra set of clothes. When the Touhy’s stopped to ask where he was headed, Michael, then known as “Big Mike” replied, “To the gym.” What he didn’t say was that it was the only warm place he had to stay that night. Ms. Touhy, the proverbial “queen bee” of the family, would not have Michael sleeping in a gym when she and her family had so much. She offered Mike a place to say that night, though it is doubtful that she foresaw that that one, seemingly harmless act of kindness would change her life in the way that it did.

Michael’s one night in the Touhy house expanded into weeks, and then into months. Early on in his stay, Ms. Touhy asked Mike if he wanted to stay there, and he replied, “I don’t wanna go anyplace else.” Even early on, Michael felt welcome at the Touhy’s home, and slowly he would become a major part of the family, with Ms. Touhy even becoming his legal guardian. Of course, Michael’s relationship with the Touhys wasn’t all cake and roses.

Mike’s bond with the Touhys is tested many times throughout their relationship. Most notable of these “tests” is when Michael is interrogated by the NCAA woman, who makes him realize that the Touhys may only have taken him in to send him to play football at their favorite college, “Ole Mis.” It would make sense. The Touhy’s had always pushed him towards playing football and going to Ole Mis, and he never really questioned it. When this dawned on Michael, the results were disastrous. He ran away from home for a night and almost got himself killed. When he finally realized that the Touhys’ home was where he belonged, he decided to return home.

Michael eventually did choose to play ball at Mississippi, though only because he wanted to, not because of the Touhys. After college he went on to play football in the NFL. While this is an amazing achievement on his part, the Touhys can be given a lot of credit for Michael’s success. Because they were kind enough to give him that chance, kind enough to give him a place to stay on that fateful Saturday night, Mike was able to go on and do what he wanted. Perhaps if the Touhy family hadn’t shown Michael this kindness, he wouldn’t be playing in the NFL, and would have turned sour like so many other kids in situations like his. But he is, and it is the Touhy family that has made this difference.