Letters About Literature, a program run by the Library of Congress in which fourth through twelveth graders write to an author (living or deceased), has revealed this year’s winners.
More than 50,000 young readers nationwide entered the contest. This year’s winners wrote to a range of authors including: Maya Angelou, Gayle Forman, Fred Gipson, Alex Gino, Dorothy Parker and Anne Frank.
The letters were judged in three categories based on grade level: Level 1 (grades 4-6), Level 2 (grades 7-8) and Level 3 (grades 9-12). The best letters for each state were then selected by level. We’ve got the list of winners after the jump.
Letters About Literature Winners 2016
Level 1
National Prize: Aleema Kelly of Connecticut wrote to Alex Gino, author of “George.”
National Honor Awards (tied): Ellie Sanders of Washington, D.C. wrote to Fred Gipson, author of “Old Yeller.” Charlie Boucher of Rhode Island wrote to Kathryn Erskine, author of “Mockingbird.”
Level 2
National Prize: Raya Kenney of Washington, D.C. wrote to Maya Angelou, author of “Old Folks Laugh.”
National Honor Award (tied): Pippa Scroggins of Florida wrote to Gayle Forman, author of “If I Stay.” Hannah Huang of Iowa wrote to Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, authors of “I Will Always Write Back.”
Level 3
National Prize: Sara Lurie of Colorado wrote to Dorothy Parker, author of “Penelope.”
National Honor Award (tied): Macoy Churchill of Wyoming wrote to Marie Lu, author of “Legend.” Violet Fearon of New York wrote to Anne Frank, author of “The Diary of a Young Girl.”