I Will Always Write Back

How One Letter Changed Two Lives

By: Martin Ganda, Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch

Narrated by: Chukwudi Iwuji, Emily Bauer

The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever.

It started as an assignment. Everyone in Caitlin's class wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place.

Martin was lucky to even receive a pen-pal letter. There were only ten letters, and fifty kids in his class. But he was the top student, so he got the first one.

That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives.

In this compelling dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends -- and better people -- through their long-distance exchange. Their story will inspire you to look beyond your own life and wonder about the world at large and your place in it.

Critic reviews

Praise for I Will Always Write Back:An Indiebound Bestseller
An Amazon Big Spring Book Selection 2015
* "Sensitively and candidly demonstrating how small actions can result in enormous change, this memoir of two families' transformation through the commitment and affection of long-distance friends will humble and inspire."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The remarkable tenacity of these two souls pulled like magnets across the world by their opposite polarities - one committed to helping, the other to surviving - is deeply affecting...It's quite a little miracle of unexpected genuineness."—New York Times Book Review

"A well-written, accessible story that will open Western adolescents' eyes to life in developing countries. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives...a strong and inspiring story...and an eye-opening look at life in another culture."—SLJ

"An inspirational story...eye-opening."—The Bulletin

"This heart-warming memoir will inspire readers to open their eyes to other cultures and realize that even the smallest of gestures can be important."—School Library Connection

"This compelling story of an unlikely friendship across continents will quiet your inner skeptic and inspire you to take a chance. Moving and uplifting."
—Award-winning author and journalist Peter Godwin

"Caitlin and Martin seemed to have nothing in common--except a curiosity about the world outside their own and a willingness to reach out to each other. With a lot of postage and a lot more hope, these two pen pals changed each other's lives and the lives of everyone who knew them. An inspiring story that will change your life, too."—Patricia McCormick, author of the National Book Award finalist Sold

Got a pen pal?

I love writing letters and this story is a continuation of the wonderful feelings that happen when pen meets paper.

Caitlin and Martin are joined through the post and share their lives with each other. Caitlin slowly learns that what she has taken for granted is a tremendous excess in Martin's life. Her dollar sent as an example of US currency will buy a soda at the mall, for Martin it fed his family for 2 weeks.

Their bond grows and grows as they teach each other about hard work, compassion and empathy. Each one of us knows we have a great friend when we are inspired to be better in our own lives.

Absolutely fantastic story. A must read.

I loved this book. I got through the first 3 chapters and restarted listening to it with my son. Not only did I love it but my son loved it. Really opened his eyes to all the advantages he has living in America. Great story!!!!

A story of love and determination

This book started out with two young people corresponding across continents. Through letters cultures, lives and goals are depicted. One young man' determination to succeed in order to help his family inspires his pen pal and her family to help his dreams come true. A very inspiring book to be read by young and old alike.

CHILLS

This book gave me chills and was so so good. The narration is amazing but the story is so much better. Thank you for writing this and narrating this!

life changing! Eye opening. hard to put down!

I loved this book. life-changing, I opening and very hard to put down. highly recommend to all ages