Felipe 1

Maria Felipe
Mrs. Ingram
UWRT 1101 074
September 23, 2014
Literacy Narrative
I sat there staring blankly at my desk. Feeling uncomfortable and tense in the chair.
Uncomfortable because I was too embarrassed that I couldnt answer a simple question in a
complete sentence. I couldnt stop replaying the mean laughter and giggling I heard around me
when I said I cant. What were they saying about me? Did they think I couldnt read? Should I
give the book another try? I heard nothing around me, but the laughter and dozens of thoughts
that kept flowing around in my head. I couldnt stop questioning myself.
It had been a full thirty minutes since we had finished talking and summarizing about the
book in class and all I was able to do was stare at the book. The book I didnt finish reading. The
one that I had difficulty reading because I couldnt focus on it. The boy on the front of the cover
had his hand up, brown hair slicked back, and a smirk on his face. Was he also making fun of
me? It sat on top of my desk, eyeing me as if it was saying open me. I wanted to but I was
nervous that I wouldnt even be able to read the first paragraph. That my mind would start
fabricating its own story - characters, setting, plot everything and the sentences in the book
would disappear and be replaced with my words. I was so concerned about the book that I
jumped out of my desk at the loud ringing of the bell. It was time for recess.

Felipe 2

Chairs screeched, pencils fell to the floor with a clink, and desks were banged on as
students ran with their squeaky shoes to line up in front of the chestnut colored door. As I got up
I looked around the room. It felt small, packed, and tight. I saw some students whispering to each
other with smug looks on their faces. This made my face turn hot and I looked down at my
mucky, untied sneakers. I tried avoiding making eye-contact as I slowly walked to the back of
the line, where I knew my best friend was waiting for me. I glanced up and saw her hand going
back and forth to try to get my attention. I was almost in the back when I slipped on a stubby
wooden pencil. Before I even got close to the dusty wooden floor I quickly grasped on the rough
edge of one of the desks. I could hear my heart pounding rapidly and wondered if anyone else
could hear it. Great, I gave the students something else to make fun of me for. I tried to block out
the roaring of the laughter that was caused by my foolish move, but failed. My teacher, Mrs.
Parker, put her worn out agenda on her messy, disorganized desk. You could tell she was tired
from the coffee stain on her light blue shirt, messy hair, and the big sigh she let out as she rose
one of her fingers to her lips to silence the class down. Silence, everyone she shouted were
not going to the playground until you all stop talking and laughing. They stopped and formed an
even straighter line without being asked. Finally Mrs. Parker gave the assistant teacher a firm
head nod, the door creaked opened, and we were ready to go to the playground.
As I was walking out I felt a kind and familiar touch on my shoulder. I quickly turned
around and saw Mrs. Parker. Maria, do you mind if we talk for a moment she said, I replied
no. My best friend stood there looking concerned and I told her you can go ahead, Ill be
there in a moment. She quickly left running trying to catch up to the class. I was nervous being
in the same room with Mrs. Parker. Should I tell her I cant read chapter books? Is she going to
make fun of me for it too? Maria, is there something you want to tell me? You look anxious,

Felipe 3

she said. My mouth gaped open, but I couldnt form the sentence I wanted too. I replied with I
cant. You cant what? her eyebrows formed a harsh line across her face, but the straight edge
of her mouth turned to a friendly smile. It made me calm down a little and I knew I could trust
her. I cant read chapter books. I start getting distracted and make up my own story instead of
reading the book and thats why I didnt even read the book you gave to us. I really tried, but I
couldnt. I hadnt realized that as I had said that I didnt breathe once until I finished with a big
gulp. Its okay, you know. Its not an easy transition looking at picture books to reading chapter
books in one month. It takes times to learn and that was my fault. It wasnt fair to everyone, but
you could learn to read them. You should check some books out, start out with simple picture
books and keep on going, she replied in a sympathetic voice. Also, theres nothing wrong with
having a big imagination. Just remember that books have their own stories and its even fun if you
read a story from someones point of view. My mind was racing as I let all the information she
had just told me sink in. I was trying to fathom the idea of teaching myself to read a chapter
book. Would I be able to by myself? Is that what she meant? I was speechless. Slowly my eyes
widened realizing that what Mrs. Parker said was true. I could learn if I really attempted too.
After a brief moment I said Im going to do that. Good, it wouldnt hurt to try and if you cant
we can enroll you into a reading program here... But I had stopped listening and was mindlessly
planning out the books I was going to check out tomorrow when we were going to the library. I
was going to read every single one of them, check out as many books as I could at once and I
wasnt going to stop until I finished reading the book that I was supposed to have read in class.
Finally Mrs. Parker, gave me a soft pat on my back and said I could go to the playground.
I stood up, without even thinking about it I hugged her and said thank you. I pushed open the
door and I was soon prancing to the playground with my dirty untied shoes making an inaudible

Felipe 4

thump on the bumpy cement as the bright sunlight followed me. Tomorrow was going to be a
new day and I was ready to begin my reading journey.