When Caitlin picked Zimbabwe for her school pen pal program, she had no idea how it would impact her life. Twelve-year-old Caitlin lived in the Pennsylvania suburbs. Martin Ganda lived in the slums of Zimbabwe. A series of handwritten letters connected their unlikely friendship. 

Caitlin had no idea what life was like outside of the US, let alone the exotic country of Zimbabwe. She had no idea how lucky she was to have running water, electricity or public schools. Martin taught her that life is bigger than break-ups and mall trips. 

Martin knew that he could never really help his family survive the increasingly poor “neighborhood” without being the best of the best in his school. He studied hard but couldn’t always be there with his family starving at home. He needed support. He needed Caitlin. 

Through terrorist attacks, strikes, sickness and starvation, they made one promise to each other: no matter what happened, they would always write back.

"This is a book that every teen should read. No more paranormal romance or apocalyptic survival stories; I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK puts all them all to shame."

I knew what was going to happen from the beginning of I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK, and there are pictures in the back that illustrate the outcome. Even so, I could not put the book down.  It was a book about the journey and it got me (and my family) completely hooked. This is a book that every teen should read. No more paranormal romance or apocalyptic survival stories; I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK puts all them all to shame. It is so real, sweet and laugh-out-loud funny — plus it’s a true story. 

This book was wonderfully written. I bonded with Caitlin and Martin because I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK painted their situation so well and the dialogue was so true to life. I related to Caitlin when she wrote about the pen she used --- the kind that has multi-colored buttons that can turn the ink different colors.

Usually books written through letters don’t work because it’s hard to relate with no context. Instead of writing word for word what the letters said, the authors illuminated their daily lives to give interesting context to their long distance friendship. It helped depict that friendship is more than having things in common and being good company. It’s about having faith that your friend will always be there for you (in writing, in this case). I loved everything about this book and it definitely has a spot in my top five. I know it will be in yours, too. 

If you love adventure, friendship and to be inspired, read this book.  Heck, if you hate books and reading in general, read this book --- you will like it anyway.