A Novel History

To Kelly, the fourth grader, Nancy Drew was her heroine-solving crimes in such a
fashionable way and confronting danger without even batting an eye. Oh how Kelly loved running
away from criminals with Nancy. Who needed the Hardy boys anyway, Nancy was solving mysteries
all by herself.
Kelly longed to be brave, intelligent, and beautiful like Nancy.
*****
The gowns and mannerisms that characterized Jane Austens novels enthralled Kelly, the
seventh grader. Kelly wondered if shed even find her Mr. Darcy.
Had she already found him?
The notion seemed impossible, but still she yearned to know. The words of Charles Dickens
novels were also inhaled by a curious, but lonely Kelly. She spent her lunch breaks buried deep
within the walls of the library. Colored fairy tales, gallant gentlemen, and high-strung ladies filled her
mind with wonder, but deceived her heart with the seductive imagination.
*****
Booker T. Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sacajawea inspired the high school freshman
Kelly. She felt as though they were talking to her directly; their encouragements falling on open ears
and a trusting heart. Their biographies told Kelly that with hard work, tenacity, and passion,
anything was possible.
Kelly felt their pain and added a few of her own.
Together they all began their journeys, but in the end Kelly was the only one left to continue
on. Shes still searching for her end, for the final destination at which they will all meet again.
*****
Where is Kelly now?
She is lost in the dystopian worlds of Orwell and Huxley. It is difficult to choose which
future would be more frightening or perhaps more preferable. At least they both can agree on
Kellys desire to appreciate and live more happily in the present. Perhaps there was a method to their
madness. In Orwells case,