About the Contest
Letters About Literature is a state-level reading/writing promotion program from the Wyoming Center for the Book at Wyoming Humanities. Students in grades 4-12 can enter when they read a book, poem, or speech and write to the author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally.
Download the guidelines to learn more. Deadline to enter is February 18, 2022
Students compete in three age categories: Level 1 (grades 4-6), Level 2 (grades 7-8), and Level 3 (grades 9-12). At each age level, Wyoming winners will receive an Amazon gift card worth $150 for first place, $100 for second, or $50 for third.
Questions may be directed to Lucas Fralick at Wyoming Humanities at lucas@thinkwy.org or (307) 660-0729.
Wyoming Letters About Literature 2021 Winners
LEVEL 1: Grades 4-6
- 1st place: Eden Adams, Etna
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Read Eden’s letter - 2nd place: Joy Hayashida-Ludington, Jackson
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Read Joy’s letter - 3rd place: Alden M. Hartpence, Lander
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Read Alden’s letter - Honorable Mention: Claire Francom, Lander
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Read Claire’s letter
LEVEL 2: Grades 7-8
- 1st place: Liliana Riggle, Gillette
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Read Liliana’s letter - 2nd place: Abbi Odell, Cheyenne
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Read Abbi’s letter - 3rd place: Adalee May, Lovell
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Read Adalee’s letter
LEVEL 3: Grades 9-12
- 1st place: Natalie Konowicz, Cheyenne
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
(Letter withheld upon request.) - 2nd place: Sarah Schweitzer, Jackson
Animal Farm by George Orwell
(Letter withheld upon request.) - 3rd place: Luke Condie, Powell
Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
(Letter withheld upon request.) - Honorable Mention: Jessica Baron
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Read Jessica’s letter
Teaching Resources
The Teaching Guide will walk your students through the book discussion and letter-writing process. The guide addresses the LAL teaching strategies and ways in which the program can dovetail with curriculum for teaching reading and writing. Also included are worksheets for duplication and assessment checklists. Students may also wish to read the letters from last year’s winners for examples.
Questions about Letters About Literature? Contact Lucas Fralick at Wyoming Humanities at lucas@thinkwy.org or (307) 660-0729.