Letters About Literature

Kids (grades 4-12) demonstrate just how life-changing a good book can be by writing letters to their favorite authors.

Calling all kids (and teachers)! Young readers, grades 4-12, are invited to express their admiration for a favorite author and showcase their reading and writing talents through Letters About Literature.

This national contest encourages students to write a personal letter to an author—from Carl Hiassen to Anne Frank—that explores how the author’s work changed their thinking about the world and their place in it.

Fans of any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic, are invited to participate, with the chance to receive awards and recognition at the state and national level.

Past sources of inspiration include Lois Lowery, Antoine De Saint-Exupery, Beverly Naidoo, Sharon Creech, JK Rowling, Robert Louis Stevenson, Anne Frank, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, and Elie Weisel.

Letters About Literature is one of the signature programs of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, and is implemented by the Maryland Center for the Book at the state level.

Please contact Jean Wortman at 410-685-4187 or Email Jean for more information. Or, visit the Letters About Literature site.

2009 Form and Guidelines.

Attention teachers! Download a copy of the Teachers Guide here.

2008 winning letters for Level I, Level II, and Level III!

2008 MD Winners and Finalists