Part of the compilation "Flying Lessons and Other Stories"
Story about identity, friendship, and fitting in
Main Characters
Samantha (Sam): Protagonist who struggles with her identity and how others perceive her. Prefers being called Sam.
Blade: New girl from California; different from others; confident and unique.
Miss Lee: Sam's teacher who organizes the Secret Santa; a bit out of touch with sixth graders.
Henry: Sam’s best friend; humorous and supportive.
Plot Summary
Introduction
Sam internally stresses over choosing an elf name for Secret Santa week.
Sam wants to be called "Flame" but ends up with "Sparkles."
Secret Santa
Miss Lee organizes a Secret Santa with elf names at school.
Blade, the new girl, joins the class and picks "Blade" as her elf name.
Sam picks Blade's name from the Santa hat.
School Dynamics
Rumors about Blade spread quickly; she stands out due to her appearance and confidence.
Sam is fascinated by Blade's uniqueness.
Sam struggles with peer perceptions and past teasing experiences.
Gift Dilemma
Sam considers gifting makeup or skull shoelaces to Blade.
Sam's mom discovers the shoelaces and expresses concerns.
Sam ultimately decides to give shoelaces, wrapped with a Calvin and Hobbes strip, to Blade.
Secret Gift Exchange
Sam requests Miss Lee to deliver her gift to Blade.
Blade receives the makeup; reaction isn't what Sam hoped.
Sam receives a pink purse, feeling misunderstood.
Blade ties shoelaces as bracelets for both herself and Sam.
Friendship and Identity
Sam and Blade bond over their differences and similarities.
Sam finally embraces her identity, sharing her preference for being called Sam with Blade.
Themes
Identity and Self-expression: Struggles with being true to oneself, highlighted by name preferences and gift choices.
Friendship: The unexpected bond between Sam and Blade, navigating through misunderstandings and acceptance.
Acceptance: Both self-acceptance and acceptance by others are central to the story.
Important Details
Setting: School during the Christmas season.
Sam’s Internal Conflict: Struggles with what gift represents Blade, her perception versus Blade's reality.
Blade’s Influence: Her confident demeanor encourages Sam to embrace her true self.
Resolution: Sam feels understood and accepted by Blade, indicating a step towards self-acceptance.
Conclusion
The story reflects on the pressures of fitting in and the importance of being true to oneself, illustrated through the evolving friendship between Sam and Blade.