Letters About Literature is a writing contest for students in grades 4 - 12.
The 23rd annual writing contest for young readers is made possible by a generous grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, with additional support from gifts to the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, which promotes the contest through its affiliate Centers for the Book, state libraries and other organizations.
This year's prompt is "How did an author's work change your view of the world or yourself?" Students will select a book, poem, or play and write a personal letter to the author (living or dead) explaining how reading that work changed them. State and national winners will be chosen.
Deadlines
Entries for 2015 will be accepted starting on November 2. Submissions must be postmarked by the following dates:
- Level 3 (Grades 9 - 12): December 4, 2015
- Level 2 (Grades 7 - 8): January 11, 2016
- Level 1 (Grades 4 - 6): January 11, 2016
How to Enter
Download the official guidelines and entry coupon and read all instructions carefully. An entry coupon must be attached to each submission.
Prizes
Vermont winners at each level will receive a certificate signed by the governor and the following cash prizes:
- First prize: $75
- Second and third prize: $50
- Honorable mention: $25
First-place winners will advance to the national competition. The National Winner at each level will receive $1,000 and National Honor Winners will receive $200.
Visit www.read.gov for additional information about the contest and past winners. Download the Teaching Booklet for activities, discussion topics, and other ideas.