READ. BE INSPIRED. WRITE BACK.

THE CONTEST

How did a book inspire you? Did it open your eyes so that you saw the world or yourself in a new way? Did it animate, motivate or spur you into taking action to help yourself or others? Did it encourage, reassure or just plain cheer you up when you were down? Maybe it caused your spirits to soar, your imagination to bloom, your belly to laugh, your throat to tighten, or . . . gasp! . . . your heart to beat, beat, beat with suspense.

Whatever your reaction, exploring how and why you respond to the books you read is a valuable lesson. It helps you learn more about yourself--your hopes and fears, your secret desires and your not-so-secret disappointments.

To enter Letters About Literature, think about a book that inspired you, then write a personal letter to the author and explain why. DO NOT summarize the book's plot. After all, the author wrote the book and already knows what happened. What the author doesn't know is how the book affected YOU.

Here's another tip: Don't write a fan letter. Instead of trying to impress, express yourself honestly. Just tell the author how his or her work somehow made a difference in your life. Then follow the how-to-enter guidelines on the next page.

COMPETITION LEVELS The contest has three competition levels:
Level I--grades 4-6 Level II--grades 7-8 Level III--grades 9-12

STATE AND NATIONAL PRIZES

STATE LEVEL The top essayist on each competition level will receive a cash award and a $50 Target Gift Card. The first-place winners in each state will then advance for national judging.

NATIONAL LEVEL Two national winners will be selected on each competition level. These six national winners will each receive a $500 gift card from Target Stores. Target Stores will also sponsor travel to the 2005 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., for the winners, their parents/guardians,and one of their teachers The national winners will read their winning letters during the festival and will tour sites within the nation's capitol.

DEADLINE Submission deadline for all levels is December 12, 2009. All state and national winners will be notified by mid March 2007. See how-to-enter guidelines on below for specific submission details.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Go to the Teachers Guide for lesson plans and sample letters.

HOW TO ENTER GUIDELINES
Prewriting Discussion
(Adapt for grade level)

• Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, a poem or a speech (sorry, no song lyrics) you have read and about which you have strong feelings. Explore those feelings and why you reacted the way you did.
• Make a connection between yourself and a character or an event in the story. Did the book mirror your life in some way? What questions did the author force you to ask yourself or others? What surprised you about yourself when reading this book? What strengths or flaws do you share with a character or characters in the book?
• Explore changes. Before-and-after is a great way to organize your thoughts. What did you believe or how did you behave before you read the book? How did your thought or behavior change after you read the book? Was this change in you noticeable to others? How do you know?

Writing the Letter

• Recommended word count
  Level I: 100-250 words
  Level II: 250-500 words
  Level III: 500-750 words
• Lead paragraph: Don't waste words telling the author your name or where you go to school unless that somehow relates to the way the book affected you. A question, a quote, a little known statistic, a fascinating detail about yourself--these are some of the ways to grab your reader's attention in your lead paragraph. Don't waste time stating your name or address (it's on the letter anyway) or your school unless it somehow relates to the way the book affected you.
• Tone: A letter is less formal than an essay or school research paper. It is conversational, friendly. Write honestly and sincerely, using your natural voice. But remember--this isn't a fan letter meant to flatter the author. Correspond, don't compliment!

Preparing Your Letter for Submission
(Applies to all competition levels)

• Return address: This is a letter, so include a return address. Print your name and complete address (either home or school) in the upper-right corner of the first page of your letter.
• Letter format: Type or print your letter. Please use ink and write neatly. If the judges can't read your handwriting, they will eliminate your entry.
• Entry coupon: Each letter must be accompanied by an entry coupon. (See below.) Staple the coupon to the last page of your letter. Do not use paper clips as they become separated during handling.
• Mailing envelope: IMPORTANT! Indicate the competition level--either I, II, or III--on your envelope. Judges prefer entries in a flat 9 x 11" envelope. Please use the correct postage amount or your letter will be returned unopened.

Submission Deadline: Mail all entries postmarked by

December 8, 2006 to:

Letters About Literature 2006-2007
Competition Level (indicate I, II, or III)
Post Office Box 609
Dallas, PA 18612

website: http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters/