Sponsored by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White, and the Illinois Center for the Book, Letters About Literature is a statewide reading and writing promotion. Students in grades 4 – 12 are invited to read a book of their choice, reflect on it, and write a personal letter to its author explaining the impact this work had on them. The submission deadline is December 15, 2022. Letters About Literature 2023 Entry Form
Students can enter individually, or through school, library and youth organizations. There are three writing levels based on the student’s grade in school:
Level I – Grades 4 – 6
Level II – Grade 7 & 8
Level III – Grades 9 – 12
There is one winning letter selected per Level. Winners receive a cash prize and a plaque from the Illinois Secretary of State. Teachers of the winners receive a certificate and a cash prize for the school to purchase books for the school library. Runners-Up from each Level receive certificates. Check out last year’s high school winner here.