Letters About Literature

Do you like to write? 

All Rhode Island students in grades 4 - 10 are invited to write a personal letter to a favorite author, describing the impact of the author's book on his or her life or explaining how that book helped them see an aspect of the world - large or small - through new eyes.

This contest has a national prize of $1000.  The deadline to enter is January 11, 2013.

Directions for entering and contest guidelines can be found on the Letters About Literature website. 

Good luck and happy writing!

Wimpy Kid Comic Contest

Have you read the very popular and funny Diary of a Wimpy Kid books? They combine text and comics to tell the very humorous story of Greg Heffley and his experiences in middle school.

Have you ever tried to draw your own comics?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is having a Do-It-Yourself Comics Contest. All you have to do is create an original comic on one side of an 8/12 x 11 piece of white paper. The contest is open to children ages 6 - 16 and ends January 31, 2009. The grand prize winner will receive one vist by Jeff Kinney to the winner's school, one framed original comic by Jeff Kinney and one signed copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney. 30 Runners up will receive a signed copy of the book.

Visit the Children's Desk at the Newport Public Library for the official Comics Contest flyer and where to send your entry!

Good Luck!

Letters About Literature

Has a book ever touched your life in a special way? Have you ever read anything that deeply affected you? Have you ever wanted to write a letter to a famous author? Now is your chance! Enter the Letters About Literature letter writing contest presented by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and Target and sponsored by The Rhode Island Center for the Book. You must be at least 9 years old to enter and the deadline is December 6, 2008. There are three levels of competition: Level 1 - grades 4 - 6, Level 2 - grades 7 & 8, and Level 3 - grades 9 - 12. Here's what you have to do:

• Select a fiction or nonfiction book, short story, poem, essay, or speech that you have read and about which you have strong feelings.
• Write a letter to the author of no less than 100 words and no more than 400 words telling them how their work has affected you. Think of it as a conversation with the author - don't summarize the plot or simply flatter them.
• Submit your letter by December 6th!

For official rules and information on how to submit your letter, go to www.loc.gov/letters.

First place winners will receive a $50 gift card to a local bookstore and a $50 Target GiftCard. The first place winners in each state will then advance for national judging.

For more information, visit the children's desk at the Newport Public Library, and take a look at the official Letters About Literature flyer.

Good luck!

Young Author Writing Contest

Here is your chance to be published! Baker & Taylor, a book distributor to school and public libraries, is having a writing contest for children ages 12 and under. Write a short story that's between 500 and 750 words and that has the Baker & Taylor cats as main characters. The winning story will be illustrated by a famous artist and published! All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2007. For more information visit:

http://www.btol.com/promo_details.cfm?id=403

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick Writing Contest

The publisher Houghton Mifflin is holding a writing contest to celebrate the new Harris Burdick website. The contest is open to children in grades 2 - 8 and ends January 15, 2008. For more information visit:

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/submit_story.html

Short Story Writing Contest

Ellen Potter is having a short story writing contest for kids ages 9 - 13. The deadline is January 14, 2008 and the first prize is a $100 gift card to Barnes and Noble! See her website for more information...

http://www.ellenpotter.com/forkids.htm