Wyoming Letters About Literature Contest Now Open
The 2020-21 Wyoming Letters About Literature Contest opened on November 1. Entries will be accepted postmarked through January 9, 2021.
Official guidelines and entry form
This state-level contest encourages students to read, be inspired, and write back to their favorite authors. 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.
Both individual and classroom entries are welcome.
Questions? Contact Susan Mark, Wyoming State Library Outreach Librarian, at susan.mark@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5915.
Promotional Posters
Help spread the word. Download and print our promotional posters below and post them in your school, library, or any other location where you might reach teens and tweens.
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Letters About Literature 2020 Winners
Looking for examples of what a winning letter might look like? Read the top letters from last year here.
LEVEL 3: Grades 9-12
- 1st place: Parker Zoe Jackson, Laramie
Keeper of the Lost Cities: Everblaze by Shannon Messenger
Read Parker’s letter - 2nd place: Amoriah Barnhill, Worland
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Read Amoriah’s letter - 3rd place: Kimberly Sumida, Worland
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Read Kinberly’s letter
LEVEL 2: Grades 7-8
- 1st place: Stetson Asay, Lovell
A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)
Read Stetson’s letter - 2nd place: Meredith Paul, Cheyenne
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Read Meredith’s letter - 3rd place: Elisa Wachob, Cody
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Read Elisa’s letter - Honorable mention: Harriet Sullivan, Wilson
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Read Harriet’s letter
LEVEL 1: Grades 4-6
- 1st place: Abbi Odell, Cheyenne
The Essential 55 by Ron Clark
Read Abbi’s letter - 2nd place: Addi Jarosh, Cheyenne
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Drapor
Read Addi’s letter - 3rd place: Reese Merritt, Cody
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Read Reese’s letter
About the Contest
Letters About Literature is a state-level reading/writing promotion program for students in grades 4-12. Students are asked to read a book, poem, or speech and write to the author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally.
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 Susan Mark, Wyoming State Library Outreach Librarian, at susan.mark@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5915.
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 below for examples.Questions about Letters About Literature?Contact Susan Mark, Wyoming State Library Outreach Librarian, at susan.mark@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5915.