Jerilyn+and+Ginny

Biography(Jerilyn) Peppe De Luca is a 12 year old boy living in Italy. His mother and father currently have 12 children and another is soon to be born. He is a part of the Sons of Wolves. Peppe is expected to grow into a soldier for Italy along with his other 7 brothers and counting. He has no choices, because the black shirts and the OVRA enforce law in Italy. He enjoys taking part in games with other boys his age, but he cannot take part often, because his family is so large. He often has to work so his family can feed all the children. He wishes his mother did not have so many kids. He doesn’t agree with what Mussolini is saying about woman producing as many children as possible. He would rather have a smaller family, but he feels grateful that he lives in a nice house.

Biography(Ginny)

Eric Keller is not like any child you will meet. He is 17 years old and lives in Germany. Eric is involved in Hitlers Youth because he is forced to. People are on his back everyday to try to change his opinon in life. Eric believes that life is what you make it. At the time everyone followed Hitlers demands. Anything Hitler said was done, no questions asked. Eric having these feelings made him different and everyone didn't like it. Eric is one out of fourteen. His mother was awarded for having fourteen children. It was something special to be reconized by Hitler and others. Eric thought that the award meant nothing. He beilievd that the act of having fourteen children was foolish. Eric dreams of a better world, but right now he just trys to get through one day at a time. 

Letter 1(Jerilyn) April 16, 1921

Dear Eric, I know that we have not met, but our families used to know each other. I am currently 12 years old and the last time our families saw each other was before I was born. I don’t think that’s a good thing. My parents do not know I am writing to you, I don’t think that they would approve. I think that maybe our families had a fall out. Maybe when you write back you will know what happened to our families. Well, I guess I should tell you a little about myself and my family. The family currently has 12 children, including me. I have seven brothers and four sisters. My mother is currently pregnant and I will have another sibling any day. I honestly wish my family wasn’t so large; all my mother wants is to make Mussolini happy. But, anyways I am a part of the Sons of Wolves. I think I heard my father mention that you were a part of Hitler’s Youth once. I wonder if it’s anything like the Sons of Wolves. Well I keep getting off topic, I’m sorry. A lot of the time I have to work for my family. It’s hard because my mother doesn’t work anymore. Only my father does. So occasionally my brothers and I work to earn some extra money. My sisters stay home and help my mother. I love going to school, although homework gets annoying sometimes. Do you go to school? I have to stay home some days when the other children are sick or I have to work. Most of the time my Mother lets me go though. I’m very excited about this, I hope you respond soon. But don’t tell your parents we are talking, I don’t think they would be happy. I want to know what happened with our families so bad. Do you play sports with other boys your age? I wish I could, but I don’t really have time. After school I go straight home and help out with chores. Then afterwards my mother makes me do my homework. I really don’t have a bad life, I just wish I had more time to do things that other boys do. I want to be a kid and have fun outside or whatever else boys like me do. In school we always learn about Mussolini and how great he is. It gets redundant after a while. I’m getting sick of him but don’t let anyone know I said that, I would most definitely be killed the black shirts. Well I'm going to go because I have to go to bed, but I hope to hear from you soon. Your Friend, Peppe De Luca

Letter 2(Jerilyn)  May 21, 1921

Dear Eric, I don’t mean to be pushy, but I haven’t heard from you in over a month. I know that our mail system isn’t that fastest, but I think this is a little long. Well I’m wondering if maybe my letter got lost in the mail. I guess it’s possible, I don’t think you would just not respond unless you had a good reason. While I’m writing I guess I may as well inform you about what else has happened since the last letter I sent you. My mother had her baby, another girl, her name is Isabella. She’s very small and cute. I spend a lot of time taking care of her. My mother is getting old, but she still wants to have more children, I think she is crazy. Our family is so large already. I blame all of this on Mussolini. I don’t understand why he wants the woman to have so many children. Our country is going to become over populated. The Sons of Wolves is getting on my nerves. I don’t really like it too much but I have no choice but to continue. We get bossed around a lot and everything we do and say is about Mussolini and how great he is. The boys at school talk about Hitler, I think he is much like Mussolini but in your country. Am I right? The boys say that there is something called Hitler’s Youth and it is very close to the Son’s of Wolves. I think you and I are very much alike. I’ve been thinking a lot lately and maybe if we become good friends we can tell our families and they can become friends once again. It’s a shame that such a good friendship is now gone. My father is very busy though. He is constantly working and if he has a break he is out listening to Mussolini and his rallies. I accompanied my father to Mussolini’s speeches once. It was hard to understand him sometimes and when I did understand what he was saying, I didn’t like it. All the men cheered though, so I just sat quietly and went along with it. All that comes up at the dinner table is how wonderful Mussolini is or what he is doing next to make things better. The only thing he did that I really think is good right now is that he has made the trains run on time. I guess this is good; everyone seems to be very happy about this. I personally think that a leader should be someone that actually does good for the people and not just someone that talks about doing good. But who am I to say, I’m only 12 years old. I really shouldn’t be saying these things, the black shirts would come find me and kill me if they knew I was opposing Mussolini. They pretty much are killing everyone that doesn’t love Mussolini. It scares me sometimes, but I don’t know. Well I really hope that you write back this time. I’m very excited about talking with you. Hope to hear from you soon. Your Friend, Peppe De Luca Letter 3(Ginny) May 30, 1921

Dear Peppe De Lucca, I'm very sorry that I haven't mailed you back. I tried to write back sooner but too many things kept getting in my way. First, my parents were getting suspicious about what I'm doing these days. I had to let them calm down and trust me again. On top of that, Hilter's Youth has been getting rough the past month. We are training hard because any day now we could be deployed. The boys at your school are right, Hitler's Youth and Sons of Wolves are similar. The two groups goal is to train the young boys to be strong and powerful men. To answer your question, "Do you go to school?", I don't. I wish I did because I want to learn more about the world. I stopped going to school when I was 8 years old. I had to help my father with the house and getting money to feed the family. We have such a large family that it is hard to feed everyone. My father said I was going to go back to school but then I was forced to join Hitler's Youth. You may be wondering how I can read and write. My friends that did go to school would teach me what they learned and then I started teaching myself. As time went on I got to a point where I didn't know where to start. My five sisters saw me struggling and everyday they would take some time andhelp me learn new things. Right now I know enough to get through life but I still regret not going to school. As you know I am alot older than you. I do remember your parents, you however were not born yet. Our families used to be great friends. Then one day we had a huge fight that lead to hatred. Our families broke up because our beliefs changed. Mussolini changed your parents' thoughts and Hitler changed my parents'. They didn't want me to be exposed to your parents beliefs. This fight lead to trouble. Our families don't talk anymore and would most likey furious if they found out we were talking. That is why you did the right thing and kept these letters a secret. I know how you feel about being scared of opposing Mussolini. I am afarid of Hitler finding out that I don't agree with him. Well. that is enough for now. Write back soon. Kind Regards, Eric Keller

Letter 4(Jerilyn) June 6,1921

Dear Eric, I’m so glad you were finally able to mail me back. I was starting to think that you weren’t going to. That’s so interesting that you and I are so alike. It’s like we are brothers. It’s a shame though that our families can’t think the same way as us. I really wish we could be friends, not in secret. But I suppose that will never be. It’s ridiculous that our families can’t get over their beliefs and be friends anyways. Honestly these beliefs aren’t even their own. They are our leader’s beliefs. I hate how everyone’s lives are being affected because two men are changing how everyone thinks around here. I want things to be back to the way they were when I was a little kid. I barely remember it, but I know it was better than now. I feel bad that you can’t go to school anymore. I know that I’m not much luckier, but at least I get to go sometimes. If you want I can send you some of my notes from class with the next letter I send to you. Then maybe you can learn some more things by your self. I haven’t been to school in over a week so I’m sure my parents will let me go for a few days soon. I’ll be sure to recopy my notes for you. I wish writing to you was easier, and your right, my parents are getting suspicious too. I lie to them and say that I am working on a paper for school. So far I think they believe me, but it won’t last long. I can only write the same paper for so long. I will have to come up with a new excuse. The love for Mussolini around my home is getting even more ridiculous. People are singing about him, preaching about him, practically dreaming about him. In the Sons of Wolves we are writing our own songs for Mussolini and the best song is going to get a prize. The other boys are getting very into this contest, I think its dumb. The only reason I’m writing it, is because if we don’t we get beaten. The black shirts don’t take anything. It’s horrible. One little mistake and whack. It hurts too. I’ve seen boys go home with welts across their backs. Oh by the way, the new baby, Isabella, is doing well. The doctor says she is very healthy and strong. I guess this is a good thing, I just hope my mother doesn’t decide to have any more children. The house is getting full and I don’t want to move again. Also I don’t think we have enough money to move to a bigger home and support all the children in the family. Guess what, I’m so excited for tomorrow. I get to go and play baseball with the other boys. Mother is finally letting me have a break from caring for the baby. I can’t wait. I hope I remember how to play. It’s been ages since I’ve played any sports with the boys from school. I miss it so much. Before Mussolini wanted woman to produce more children, our family was small and I got to go to school everyday and play sports with the boys all the time. We had baseball games almost everyday at the park down the street. My neighbor, Jeremy, is my best friend. I get to see him more than any other boys. He knows I am writing to you. Most days he comes over and helps me take care of Isabella. Well at least after he gets home from school. His family is still semi small so his parents let him go to school everyday. We like to do homework together to and when I go to school we always sit with each other and walk to and from school with each other. Our family game to play is cards. I can play that game even while I’m taking care of Isabella and my mother doesn’t mind. It’s so much fun. I love Jeremy, I’m so glad we are friends. Well, it’s getting late and I have to go to bed early because mother is letting me go to school tomorrow! Okay well I hope to talk to you soon. From, Peppe

Letter 5(Ginny) June 30,1921

Dear Peppe, That is great that you can go to school. It will help you through your life. Also, that would be great if you could send me some notes but you don't have to. Some of my sisters are your age so maybe they have the same thing as you. You never know. Isabella sounds adorable. I wish i could see a picture off her. I bet she could melt anyones heart. Guess what, Hitler and allhis followers wants my mother to have another baby! I don't know what to do anymore. How are we supposed to take care of this child? Who is going to take care of the new born? Where are we gonna get the money to feed another mouth? These are all the things that I think about but the only things my parents think about is doing whatever Hitler wants. I believe that having another child in this family is insane. We already have fourteen children in this house and two parents. Now, we have to make room for a new born! That is just ridiculous in my mind. Well, I will tell you more about that whole situation when I know more. In your letter you said, that you told your friend, Jeremy that we were writing to each other. Just make sure that he knows not to tell anyone. I don't want commotion to be started. Promise? About our families, I wish our parents can let go of their beliefs. Well, Hitler and Mussolini's beliefs. Just like you said. Everything in life isn't fair. Trust me because I learned the hard way. I don't want you to learn it the hard way. I made a mistake when I was younger and i want you to learn from my mistake. I won't tell you what I did unless you really want to know. I never told anyone out of the town what I did. Some people still don't know but that is because they are to younger to understand. In my opinion I was defending myself but to them I was a small threat. That is another story for another time. I am doing pretty good for the past month. The Hitler Youth is slowing down just a little. They still make us do many drills and marches until our legs want to disconnect from out bodies. It's better than having my body so sore that I want to kill myself. Don't worry I won't. The days here in Germany are normal. Everyone is obeying every thing order that Hitler says. To me it seems like they worship him. I would never stoop down to that level. Would you? If your life depended on it, would you stoop down to there level? Its just a question. I want to know what you think about these people following the "powerful men" in the world. I wouldn't because I know that is not how the world is supposed to be and if it takes my life to try to change the way everyone lives then I would stand up for everyone. You may think I am crazy but that is okay with me. I am just babbling on. I hope you write back soon. I can't wait to hear from you. Your Friend, Eric Keller Letter 6(Ginny) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">July 15, 1921

Dear Peppe De Luca, I haven't heard from you in awhile. I don't know if you didn't get my letter or your parents are getting to suspicious of you and you can't write back. Either way many things have happened since I last wrote. My mom is pregnant now. She is hoping on having a girl. I am angry that she is putting her body through this, but it is kinda exciting that I'm gonna have another sibling. I hope it's a boy and I would teach him how to play rough. Also, I would teach him to fix anything he puts his hands on. If and I say if its a girl I would teach her how to defend herself. That would help her if anyone tries to grab her or anything. As you can see I am very protective of my brothers and sisters. They may annoy me at times but they are family. It would be cool if our parents got along and Isabella and the baby to be could have play dates. Well, we know that will never happen but its just a thought. How have your days been? Are you learing anything new? My days have been gtting longer. I don't know why. I think its because I want everything to end and when I think that way it seems like everything is in slow motion. I guess it's just me. In the letter that got lost in the mail I said that life is never fair an don't learn that the hard way. I made a mistake when I was younger and it changed my life. I found out the hard way that life isn't fair. In the other letter I said to learn from my mistake and not to be nieve when it comes to making decisions. I guess that the one huge mistake that I made in life made me who I am but it also change how people look at me. I wasn't going to tell you the story unless you told me you wanted to hear. I am just gong to tell you what happened. When I was seven years old I made a new friend. We had everything in common, his name was Matthew. Matthew was a normal kid, but everyone saw him as a threat because he was a Jew. We never made any trouble but when my parents and Hitler found out that Matt and I were friends he was horrified. He made sure that we would never see each other again and that was by killing my friend. I saw my best friends death. This changed me from the inside out that someone could do that to another person. That is when I knew life is never and will always be unfair. Matthew did nothing wrong. All he wanted was a friend and when he found one he was punished. People never looked at me the same. I was almost killed for being friends with Matt too but Hitler just gave me a long beatening instead. After eveything that happened I knew that being friends with a Jew isn't a bad thing. In my opinion I didn't make a mistake but in Hitler's mind I did. After experiencing this I learned (at a young age) not to trust anyone. Finnally, I can trust someone and that is you. I hope to be friends untill the end. Enough about me, What have you been doing? How is Jeremy? When you see him again, tell him I said hi. Well, I have to go back to work. I need to get some food for the family. I hope you write back soon. Your Best Friend, Eric Keller <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Letter 7(Jerilyn) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> July 18, 1921

Dear Eric, Your letter must have gotten lost because I never received it. So your mother is having another child, that’s outrageous. I feel so bad for you, your family is so large I don’t know how you are going to be able to afford to feed another mouth. I wish that both the newborns in our family could play together but your right, that would never happen. So, I went to school a few days ago. It’s so much fun to see my friends again. And don’t worry I will tell Jeremy you said hello. Yeah, he is a really good friend. I feel so bad about your friend Matthew. That’s horrible, I personally have no problems with people of different religions. But, I have no say of course. I can’t even imagine having my best friend executed and being forced to watch. That’s so inhumane. This entire Hitler-Mussolini thing is getting out of hand. It’s changing entire cities and people’s entire lives. I know how much it’s changed my life I can’t imagine how much it’s changed yours. I have a large family and yours is even worse. But, anyways this isn’t the reason I am writing to you. My parents found out that we were talking. They are really mad at me that I kept it from them, but they are being okay about it. However they said I am no longer allowed to be in contact with you. I really wasn’t even supposed to write this letter. I’m so upset that we can’t talk anymore. Maybe in a few years this entire thing will simmer out and we can meet face to face. Once we are adults by law then our parent’s beliefs cannot control us anymore. So my friend I write to you sadly for the last time, at least for a few years. I’m almost crying writing you this letter. I’m not really sure if it’s because I’m sad or because I’m mad that these two men can affect us so much. It’s not fair and I hate it. Well, I’m hoping you will write back to me one more time and if you choose to please send your letter to my friend Jeremy’s house because my parents will be checking our mail. I’ll attach his address with this letter. It was nice talking to you while it lasted.

Your Friend, Peppe

Jeremy Flischer 128 Oxford Lane PS. The rest of his adress is the same as mine.

Letter 8(Ginny) 128 Oxford Lane, Italy 05675 July 22, 1921 Dear Peppe De Luca or Jermey, I can't believe you guys are not allowed to talk to me anymore. Well, that doesn't maker to me. I am going to keep sending you letters untill I go to war and maybe when I'm in war I can try to send you one. My days have been normal, if thats even the proper word to use. My father has pushed me off work duty for some reason. I think he knows something that I don't know. It might be that war is coming sooner than we think and he wants m to concentrate on my training. Thats just a thought thought. I wish you can right back but I know that won't happen. I just want you to know that you will always be my friend no matter (not to sound all lovey dovey on you). I hope you guys are having fun together. Maybe one day when we are older we can meet. I will write again soon. Your friend, Eric

Letter 9(Ginny) 128 Oxford, Italy 05675 August 20, 1921 Dear Peppe and Jermey, I am having a terrible time in Germeny. There is nothing to do besides train for war and I don't feel like doing that. I wish I could know what you guys are up to. I bet you are having way much more fun than me. My mother is almost ready for birth. We still are waiting about a month or so. We don't know that much because Mother won't tell us anything. She likes to keep that kind of information to her and my dad. My sisters are going crazy on trying to find out when she is due but they still can't figure it out. Well, hope you guys have a great day. From, Eric Keller

Eric Keller sent many more letters to Peppe and Jermey. They read every single letter he sent but the only thing was that Eric was wrong. He believe that Peppe and Jermey were having a great time but actually their life was turned up side down. When Peppe's parents found out that he was talking to Eric they beat him untill he couldn't stand. They felt betrayed by their own son. Peppe wrote that last letter in fear but he need to tell Eric he couldn't talk. In Peppe's last letter he said that he was crying when writing it. That was because he would miss talking to Eric and that the pain was to much to bear. Jeremy on the other hand wasn't beat but disowned by his family. They wouldn't talk to him anymore when they found out what was going on. One day Peppe got his regular beating from his father and his body couldn't take it anymore. Afterward Peppe sat on the floor in pain, he eventually fell asleep and never woke again. Eric Keller knew nothing of this untill one day he recieved a letter from Jeremy.

Letter 10(Ginny) 154 Wolkwitz, Germany 05823 January 23, 1922 Dear Eric Keller, I know I am not supposed to write back but, I need to tell you something. Peppe hasn't been doing do good. He is always in pain because his father beats him for talking to you. Well, lets just says Peppe's body couldn't take it anymore. One day Peppe fell asleep after a beating and he never woke. I'm very sorry that I had to tell you this over a letter. He was our best friend and he will always be. Again, I am truly sorry I wish I could have told you in person. From, Jeremy