Letters About Literature, 4-12

http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/letters
LAL challenges students to become independent readers. Students write a personal letter of reflection to an author whose work inspired them or changed their view of the world or themselves.

Last fall, eight-five Iowa teachers coached 2,253 students in grades 4-12 who entered their work into a pool of 70,000 student letters nationally. Iowa had a 24% increase in entries! Juliana Osgood of Lenihan Intermediate School in Marshalltown made it into the final round at the national level. Over the nine years that Iowa has participated, five Iowa students have won at the national level, achieving extraordinary recognition for themselves and their teachers.
Iowa’s 2011 participation and our statewide results:
Level 1 (grades 4-6) 532 entries; 30 semi-finalists; 30 finalists; 3 honorable mentions; 3 winners
Level 2 (grades 7-8) 1,376; 19 semi-finalists; 30 finalists; 3 honorable mentions; 3 winners
Level 3 (grades 9-12) 345 entries; 21 finalists; 3 honorable mentions; 3 winners

Information about the 2012 Letters About Literature program is now available on the Iowa Center for the Book website. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, January 6, 2012.
Iowa judges will select first, second, and third place winners plus three honorable mentions at each of the three competition levels. Letters of Iowa first place winners at each of the three levels will be submitted for judging at the national level. Judges at the national level select two winners for each of the three competition levels plus four National Honor Winners (Honorable Mention). Monetary prizes are given at the state and national level. A reception is held in Des Moines in the spring to recognize the Iowa winners, their families and teachers.

If you have any questions, contact Robin Martin, Coordinator, Iowa Center for the Book, at coordinator@iowacenterforthebook.org