Gaby SETIABUDI
Ms. Stronks
ELA 8
October 26, 2015
Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their Presidents
Chapter 2 Summary
In the novel, “Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their Presidents” of chapter two,
is about a boy named Stefan Johnson and the challenges he’s faced in his life with his
mother. Johnson is a black seventeen year old boy who goes to a Catholic high school in
South Philadelphia who was nicknamed Obama in early 2008. His mother, Monica
Johnson, is an unemployed single mother who has been struggling with money issues
that had caused them to move to six other areas. He was first nicknamed, Obama, for his
similar movements and speech who then embraced it because, “They were worse things
a black kid could be called at a Catholic high school.” (pg. 31) Stefan then began to
become interested in politics after he decided to become the first black student body
president, breaking the Roman’s 120 year old history. He faces doubt of him becoming
president due to mild discrimination in his school with the examples he has told us, “…,
where the racism was so legendary that Stefan had only dares visit the Irish section once
or twice.” (pg. 33) “Whites voted for whites. Asians voted for Asians.” (pg. 33) Since
starting his presidency, he has changed his personality as a person by volunteering in
variety of places, increased alumni donations, improved his grades from mediocre to
good, and decided to not argue with his mother about money issues they’ve been
struggling with. In 2010 Johnson began to write a thank-you note to his role model,
President Obama for inspiring him to become who he is today. Graduating with honors
and a standing ovation, he neared the day where he was going into college but with an
issue. Monica’s bank account balance dropped to an amount where they were about to
get evicted and homeless. As it neared the days of Stefan’s graduation, there were six
weeks of Republicans in Senate stall and disagree with Obama’s plans of assistance for
unemployed people including the Johnson family. Stefan had been working at a
swimming pool as a lifeguard that paid well, which then the money was used to pay the
bills. A few weeks before his first year as a freshman, Stefan was invited to visit the
White House, with his choice of four other people, to get a personal tour after they had
read his letter. During his tour he passes the East room where all types of speeches and
interviews are held with the press he takes a step on the podium and feels a sudden
dream to become the next president.
Ms. Stronks
ELA 8
October 26, 2015
Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their Presidents
Chapter 2 Summary
In the novel, “Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their Presidents” of chapter two,
is about a boy named Stefan Johnson and the challenges he’s faced in his life with his
mother. Johnson is a black seventeen year old boy who goes to a Catholic high school in
South Philadelphia who was nicknamed Obama in early 2008. His mother, Monica
Johnson, is an unemployed single mother who has been struggling with money issues
that had caused them to move to six other areas. He was first nicknamed, Obama, for his
similar movements and speech who then embraced it because, “They were worse things
a black kid could be called at a Catholic high school.” (pg. 31) Stefan then began to
become interested in politics after he decided to become the first black student body
president, breaking the Roman’s 120 year old history. He faces doubt of him becoming
president due to mild discrimination in his school with the examples he has told us, “…,
where the racism was so legendary that Stefan had only dares visit the Irish section once
or twice.” (pg. 33) “Whites voted for whites. Asians voted for Asians.” (pg. 33) Since
starting his presidency, he has changed his personality as a person by volunteering in
variety of places, increased alumni donations, improved his grades from mediocre to
good, and decided to not argue with his mother about money issues they’ve been
struggling with. In 2010 Johnson began to write a thank-you note to his role model,
President Obama for inspiring him to become who he is today. Graduating with honors
and a standing ovation, he neared the day where he was going into college but with an
issue. Monica’s bank account balance dropped to an amount where they were about to
get evicted and homeless. As it neared the days of Stefan’s graduation, there were six
weeks of Republicans in Senate stall and disagree with Obama’s plans of assistance for
unemployed people including the Johnson family. Stefan had been working at a
swimming pool as a lifeguard that paid well, which then the money was used to pay the
bills. A few weeks before his first year as a freshman, Stefan was invited to visit the
White House, with his choice of four other people, to get a personal tour after they had
read his letter. During his tour he passes the East room where all types of speeches and
interviews are held with the press he takes a step on the podium and feels a sudden
dream to become the next president.