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Top honors have gone to three Wyoming students in state-level competition the 2017-18 Letters About Literature Contest. Letters About Literature encourages students to read, be inspired, and write back to their favorite authors.
The Wyoming State Library awarded D’Andre Stroman from Sheridan first place in Level III (grades 9-12). Sophia Saint, Douglas, placed first in Level II (grades 7-8). Ayla Barton, Cheyenne, placed first in Level I (grades 4-6). All three first place winners advanced to national competition.
Letters About Literature asks students to respond to a book, rather than simply report on it. What matters most is the connection the student makes with the author’s words and the impact it has on that student’s life and how they see the world.
D’Andre wrote to Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It. “Since I’ve read all your books,” D’Andre wrote, “I’ve wanted to know what helped you continue to push and come out strong, and be successful without your past preventing you from being successful and accomplishing your goals.”
Sophia wrote to Cassandra Clare about her books in The Mortal Instruments series. “I wanted to do my best,” Sophia wrote, “I wanted to BE the best and now I know that I just have to work hard and be myself thanks to City of Bones.”
Ayla read Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes after experiencing the death of a dear friend. “It made me realize that everything’s going to be okay,” she wrote. “So, thank you, for opening my eyes to having faith in myself, for having hope, and for having courage.
The full list of winners is below.
Letters About Literature is a national reading and writing promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. For more information about Letters About Literature, contact Susan Mark at susan.mark@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5915.
2017-18 Wyoming Letters About Literature Winners
LEVEL I: Grades 4-6
- 1st place: Ayla Barton, Cheyenne
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - 2nd place: Emma Locken, Gillette
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - 3rd place: McKenna Klindt, Afton
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White - Honorable mention: Lawsen Quist, Cheyenne
My Sister Rosa, by Justine Larbalestier
LEVEL II: Grades 7-8
- 1st place: Sophia Saint, Douglas Middle School, Douglas
The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - 2nd place: Miranda L. Hoberg, McCormick Junior High School, Cheyenne
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - 3rd place: Brittany Anderson, Douglas Middle School, Douglas
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
LEVEL III: Grades 9-12
- 1st place: D’Andre Stroman, Sheridan
A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer - 2nd place: Arundathi Nair, Laramie
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson - 3rd place: Joseph Hyne, Gillette
Wonder by R.J. Palacio