Letters About Literature is a reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12. Students are asked to read a book, poem or speech and write to that author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally. Letters are judged on state and national levels. If you are in grades 4-12, you are eligible to enter the Letters About Literature reading and writing contest. Here are the Rules and Guidelines.
Please turn your work into your EY coordinator no later than Jan. 9th, 2015!!!
Some books challenge your brain. Others touch your heart. Some books do both!
What book have you read lately that got you thinking about things you never thought about before? What book’s character made you shiver in fear or shake with laughter, clench your fists or want to hug your kid brother? What one, special book was so
powerful it became a part of YOU? Thinking and feeling are two sides of the same “brain” coin. Exploring how and why you respond to a
book—either through thoughts or emotions—is a key to understanding yourself.
Below is an excerpt from a winning letters from a past LAL contest.
Dear Mrs. Lowry,
. . . with each passing paragraph, each turned
page, each new chapter, I realized The Giver was different. I couldn’t understand why your characters had no recollection of animals. I didn’t understand the Ceremonies of Age. I didn’t understand what was meant by Release. Release. When I got to that part of your book, I became frightened . . . I have a younger sister. I reread the passage, hoping I had interpreted it wrongly. But your chilling words were still on the page. . . .It wasn’t until the end that I realized this book was a warning to this generation and to the next, to ten generations from now and 100 generations from then. It is up to us to make sure that our children’s children will always be able to ride a sled down a snowy hill. . . .
R. Pynn, Brooklyn, NY
More info for teachers and parents
Westside Community Schools does not sponsor or endorse the organization or activity described here. The sharing of this information is provided as a community service.