A reading and writing program for students in grades 4-10
Read, Be Inspired, Write Back.
Take the Letters About Literature writing challenge! Write a personal letter to an author you admire, an author of a book (fiction or nonfiction) that inspired you. Your letter must be personal but persuasive, explaining just how the author’s work changed your view of yourself or your world.
Letters About Literature is sponsored nationally by the Library of Congress and is organized in Virginia by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
Resources For Teachers
FAQs
Who is eligible?
Any student in grades 4-10 enrolled in public or private schools or home schooled. Students may enter as part of a class set or independently.
How many winners will there be?
At the state level, independent judges select three state winners, one each at Level I (grades 4. 5, 6); Level II (grades 7, 8); and Level III (grades 9, 10). We also award Honorable Mentions.
What do the winners receive?
The three state winners in Virginia will receive $100 cash and advance to national judging. In addition, they will be invited to be a guest author at the March Opening Ceremony of the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville.
How are the letters judged?
A panel of judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select one National Winner per competition level to receive a $1,000 cash award. The Judges will also select one second place winner on each competition level to receive a $150 cash award.
Note to Teachers and Parents
Curriculum materials, lesson plans, blackline masters, assessment checklists, and teaching strategies are available by contacting lettersaboutlit@epix.net. Letters About Literature supports national standards for teaching language arts and reading as recommended by the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association.
