Melissa Pettignano
This book is both fiction and non fiction. This book, titled Suzanne Lantana, is about a young, full of life girl who has gone through many things that a pre-teen would go through, and which continue into her early teenager years. The biggest situation is losing her aunt, Arlene T. Babakitis, on September 11, 2001.
This book is a collection of short stories that have much meaning and various teachings for young girls. Suzanne is a fun-loving girl with a lot of heart, mind and soul wanting nothing, but good to be instilled in the world . This is without neither pain nor hurt. Suzanne has her own view points and her own unique mindset. These are two qualities that make Suzanne very special.
There are other characters who play large roles within this book. They are Suzanne’s mother, father, brother, grandmother and her two best friends named Sophie and Rachel, who come in later on in this book. Each story goes in order from her fifth grade year all the way to eighth grade where she graduates. Each story carries a different learning situation and a different outlook on life, both positive and negative, but in the end, positive wins.
Here’s a little bit about Suzanne Lantana. She is a girl who sticks up for herself and wants others to learn to do the same. From having jealousy bestowed onto her, to fights, to rekindling friendships, to losing loved ones, to parties, trips and so on, it is all part of the growing process which Suzanne goes through. She is a tough girl, and with her faith, family, and friends she truly triumphs. Within this book each story shows the bright light that Suzanne carries within herself. With each thing that happens she learns, to take it in slowly and enjoy every moment of it. Suzanne is young and still learns many new things, which is the beauty of life. Suzanne remembers if any mistake happens to just relax, take a deep breath and start all over. No body is perfect, learning is key.
Hello. My name is Melissa Pettignano. I am 18 years old. By the time my book is out, I will be 19. I have been writing since I could write. I love expressing my feelings on paper and letting people read it and feel what I feel. I am a singer as well, and hope to share that with many of you one of these days.
I’ve won many awards for singing and writing . I am truly blessed, and I thank God everyday.
My family is very big. My household contains my mother, father, brother, two cats, and myself. I grew up in Jersey City until I was seven and then moved to Secaucus, New Jersey six months later. I went to Clarendon School until sixth grade when I graduated. After that, I attended Secaucus Middle School for two years
(seventh and eighth grade). After passing eighth grade, I graduated . For the first two years of my high school education, I attended Secaucus High School ninth and tenth grade. For the last remaining two years, I was home schooled. I decided after tenth grade it was time for me to pursue my music, writing and modeling. I have done everything any young girl my age would want to pursue. I experienced many wonderful things, went to prom, and learned a lot from my experiences.
I didn’t have it easy when I was younger. I didn’t have it hard either, but I’ve been through a lot since then. My faith has and always will be a part of me and it has truly helped me with a lot. If anything faith is #1 to really bring you to your roots.
One of the biggest losses I have had to deal with was losing my aunt, Arlene T. Babakitis on September 11, 2001. I’ve shown my love and support through writing and music. That day was a day no one will ever forget. I pray for everyone, and my love is with them all.
I started writing when I was in fifth grade “Suzanne Lantana” and I’ve been hooked since. As I stated earlier certain things are real, but sometimes that is what makes a story interesting. It’s fun to figure what’s real and what’s not.
This book, a collection of short stories, is something I feel many young girls and even some boys can relate to. I say this because many pre-teens and teenagers have so much to say and sometimes don’t get the chance to say it. These stories will make many pre-teens and teenagers say, as they read, “I know what she went through“,
“I know of a friend who is going through the same thing” or, “I went to a party just like that,” or “my school does the same thing. ” By this, they can gain some sense of certain situations and relate or learn from it.
Suzanne had woken up at her regular time, so she would be ready to catch the bus for school. She got dressed in red Capri’s, a baby blue shirt with a dark blue jean jacket and white sneakers.
Suzanne told her mom she had a test coming up and that she had to prepare for it. Her mother said,
“ Okay well, this weekend you must study really hard to try your best for that test.”
“ I will. I plan on it,“ replied Suzanne.
She finished her breakfast and was out the door in no time. She caught her bus and was off to school However, Suzanne felt inside that, this would be a day she would remember for the rest of her life. She couldn’t figure why. She thought maybe because of school or something new she might learn. Suzanne didn’t give it any more thought after that and continued with her morning like any other morning
She was with her friends that day much more than usual. She went to her first block, then her second. In the second block, her world came crashing down.
As Suzanne’s teacher was going over some fundamentals for class she had to come to learn., along with her classmates, from her school counselor that the world trade center was hit by two planes and had collapsed. Her heart dropped into her stomach and really didn’t know what to say.
