Dear Ut,
I think you and I could be good bans (that's Vietnamese for friends, right?) because you are fun to be around. I love your aodai (traditional dress) and I think you’re a really pretty congai (girl), just so you know. You're like me because you are strong inside. Here's an example. When Raymond teased you and called you, "Pajamas!" you didn't cry. I'm like you because we are calm because one of the few times my mom sent me up to my room I was calm. The time I broke my elbow I was also calm when I went to the hospital. It hurt a lot and I cried a lot too but I was talking about when I stopped crying. I think this will be interesting to you because you used to live in Vietnam. We are learning about Vietnam in my class. I have a question for you. What grade are you in? Please write back or call me.
Your friend,
Maggie

Dear Ut,
Hello, my name is Robert. I want to be your friend because I like brave and friendly people. I think you are brave because when Raymond teased you, you stayed calm and didn't fight back until Raymond threw a snowball at your sister. I think you are friendly because even though Raymond teased you so much you cared for him and gave him a cookie. I wish I was as brave as you are Ut. In our school we do math and spelling and reading. We go to science lab and gym. I want to know what you did in your school in Vietnam.
Your friend,
Robert S.

Dear Ut,
I think you would be a great friend to me instead of Raymond because he is mean, selfish and nasty. I am shy and quite like you. I liked you when you did not let Raymond push you around. I think we can be friends because we both are caring like in the story when Raymond started to cry and you gave him a cookie. I would do that, too. That was really nice of you to give Raymond a cookie. Did you like when Raymond hit you with a snow rock? Well, I think that was mean of him. Really mean. What's going on in your school? Well, I will tell you what I am doing in my school. We are learning about the country Vietnam. That's why we are reading your story. Have to go. Bye! Bye!
Your friend,
Danielle

Dear Ut,
My name is Sean. I heard that you are kind. I liked when you gave Raymond a cookie. I heard that you are funny too. I heard that you are strong ad smart. You were smart the way you spoke English to Raymond. In our classroom we are learning about Vietnam, your country. Your country is so so cool- I like it. We even have lots of books about Vietnam, but I really want to go to Vietnam. And we are writing, about Vietnam and it is fun. I am glad you are happy in the United States now.
Your Friend,
Sean

Dear Ut,
How are you? My name is Joelle but you can call me Joey. Anyway, let's cut to the chase. I want to be your friend because you're kind like when you gave Raymond a cookie and brave like when your sister got hit with a snow ball by Raymond and you threw the snow ball right back. You really stood up for your sister. I really like the way you didn't hold a grudge toward Raymond. In my classroom we do lot's of math and writing. My favorite subjects are art and reading. Bye, got to go see you later!
Your friend,
Joelle
P.S. Please write back!

Dear Ut,
My name is Geena. I really like you. I like you because you are very polite. You were polite when you gave a cookie to Raymond. You were honest because you told Raymond what was really in your matchbox. I really would like you to be my best friend. Did you know we are both sometimes shy and quiet? In our classroom we raise our hands to say the answer. We have many subjects in our school. How many subjects do you have in your school? We have a lot of books. We are reading about Vietnam in our books. We both study in a school in the U.S. Do you have Art in your school? We do and it is really fun! In fact, that is one of my favorite subjects. If I could choose a friend I would choose you as a friend. I hope you like me as a friend, too.
Your friend,
Geena

Dear Ut,
Hi, my name is Noel. Would you like to be my friend? I would like to be your friend because you were really kind to Raymond even when he teased you and made fun of you. When Raymond cried you tried to cheer him up with a cookie even if he was mean to you. That is why I want to be your friend. I don’t think what you wear looks bad I think it is cool! You understand feelings really good. You were lucky too when Raymond tried to help your mother come to America. I like your matchbox too. You would be my best friend. Now I hope you know why I want to be your friend. I hope you do and good luck. You would be my best friend. Now I hope you know why I want to be you friend. I hope you do and good luck.
Your friend,
Noel

Dear Ut (Oot),
Hello! My name is Kimberly. I think we should be friends because I am a shy person sometimes and you seem to be too, Ut. I play fair and you do too. I also think we should be friends because we are clever when we tell stories to friends. Ut, we could share an umbrella in the rainy spring time and go barefoot together in the summer sun. I got homework, do you? I am in second grade in the Pocantico Hills District. If you ever need any help, call me. I would love to talk to you.
Your friend,
Kimberly

Dear Ut,
My name is Max. I picked you as a friend because you're quiet at school. You were funny when you said, "My mother" as if she was really in the matchbox. You were a happy girl sometimes. Ut, you cared about Raymond when he was crying. Would you care about me? I bet you would. You were polite to Raymond. That was nice. You were helpful because you stopped Raymond from crying by giving him a cookie. Then you became friends. I like your story. In my class we are learning about your country Vietnam. It's fun to read about other places. I hope you like my letter.
Your friend,
Max

Dear Ut,
My name is Rose. I picked you because you are polite shy and gentle and quiet and strong. I think that we will be good friends, Ut. You are funny to me. That is why we will make good friends. Call me, Ut. Do you need my phone number is 555-1212? Do you have math and spelling or writing and science lab and gym or computer in your school?
Your friend,
Rosie

Dear Ut,
How are you doing? My name is Samantha. I think we can be friends because you seem kind like when you gave Raymond a cookie because was crying. We are alike because I'm brave and your brave. You are brave because when Raymond threw the snowball at your sister you threw one back at him you stood up to Raymond. We're also alike because your calm and I'm calm. In our classroom we read, write, and do math. We have a lot going on in our classroom. My best subjects are reading and art. What's your favorite subjects? Bye. See you later!
Your friend,
Samantha