Letters About Literature: Way Cool Contest for Grades 4-12

From the Library of Congress, 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. Tens of thousands of students from across the country enter Letters About Literature each year. Young authors in grades 4-12 can enter, with levels set at 4-6, 7 & 8, and 9 – 12. Different deadlines apply, so see the guidelines.

The Letters About Literature also provides a Teaching Guide with activities teachers can use to guide their students through the book discussion and letter-writing process. The guide addresses the LAL teaching strategies and ways in which the program can dovetail with national standards for teaching reading and writing as well as Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Also included are worksheets for duplication and assessment checklists.