CREATIVE NON-FICTION
ACTIVITY SHEET FOR WEEK 3
ND
2 SEMESTER QUARTER 3 SY: 2021-2022
Name: Caputol, Rezia A.
Grade &Section: 12-HUMSS Joaquin
Open your Books
Liz Graf
On one level, “Open your Books” was an inspiring and motivational story written by Liz
Graf. It is a story of a young girl who pursues and never gives up on her dream. In the story, the
author did not introduce the character’s name. The setting connects the whole atmosphere of
the story which takes place on the character’s home, school and work. On another level, it is
the story of the reality in life such as financial problems, hard works, dedication and
opportunities. The character is at the center of this narrative which the author tells the story
first person I.
When the character was still a little girl, she always dreamed to become a teacher. She
was really inspired and motivated to pursue her dream. She always looked up to her teacher,
Coach Hogan, as her inspiration. Coach Hogan is like making a magic that made their classroom
so alive that her eyes opened to a world of science more fun and enjoying. She decided to
follow him and dreamed to become a biology teacher on that day on. The character lies to her
family most of the time but she was dumbfounded with the thought that her father was
disabled. Worst of that, no one in their family even graduated from college. She, on the other
hand, believes to become a teacher. The whole narration can be considered as flashbacks as
she recalls when she was a child, playing with her dolls, instructing her teddy bears to open
their books as if she was a teacher and so on. It was her heart and her childhood dolls told her
to do so in becoming a teacher one day. She did, however, obtain a scholarship and financial
support through her father's Social Security disability benefits, but it was not enough to cover
all of her expenses. While in college, she attempted to get a part-time job. She became more
focused in school, in her studies, and at work. She also completed her studies while working
during the summer sessions, hiding her textbooks behind the cash register at work so she could
study when there were no customers. She couldn't afford to spend any time. Until, she
completed her college and transferred to a four-year university. It was exceptionally hard for
the character to maintain a sense of balance while on her journey to achieve her dreams. The
closer she gets to her dream, the greater the tuition and the more funds she'll need.
Right from the start of the narration, the author began by quoting a phrase that said,
"Never, never, never give up," emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's dream. It served
as a constant reminder of what she could have accomplished. The character faced numerous
problems and trials on her journey to achieving her dream. She, then, continue to serve as a
substitute biology teacher at a long-term. She felt at ease there, as if she had discovered a
home. She heard that the biology instructor she had subbed for would be replaced. The reality
and the narrator's expectation are the story's ironies. The character expected to be offered the
job, but she was not. Their principal, on the other hand, had other ideas. They want an older
teacher.
She appears to realize that the position isn't right for her. She was so sad and
attempting to pull herself together until a new co-worker arrived. April was her name. At work,
she and April became friends. They conversed, and she expressed her feelings about how much
she wanted to teach, as well as her breakdowns and hard work. Until one night, there was a
man came into the store, Reid Hughes, introduced as April’s Father. They chatted about the
store and April’s performance at work. While she presumably knew April had a nice Father, Reid
Hughes mentioned that April had told him how much she wanted to teach. The character
shared her thoughts with him. The suspense in the story controlled a released information.
Their principal called and offered her the biology position. The character was so surprised to
discover that Reid Hughes was the person with whom she had spoken the day before. Reid
Hughes, their chairman of the board of directors, was so impressed that he offered her a job as
a biology teacher. There was a myriad of emotions felt in the narration but its overall mood is
uplifting. Because she became a biology teacher, a long-held desire of hers, she used to say to
her dolls, "Open your books," until it became a reality in her present. It was a finally dream
come true.
What happens next is still a wonder for the character. She may have become the
school's most outstanding biology instructor. Like her Coach Hogan, she would be adamant and
eager to do magic. The story's moral emphasizes the significance of good behaviour. It is
important to follow your dreams and never give up, just as the character does. The story's
symbols all mean something, the magic that the character always mentions represents an
incredible experience, a world of wonder, and tremendous work. The tone of the story is the
attitude of the author, the author comes off as cheerful and light-hearted.
