Letters About Literature

We're in the rough draft stage of our current writing project: a multi-draft exercise and national competition called "Letters About Literature" which is sponsored by the Library of Congress. (http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters/) Girls are writing to their favorite authors/poets/ speech makers, describing how various works have changed their ways of thinking, feeling and being. Among the lucky recipients of such missives: Heather Brewer, Carl Hiassen, Alyson Noel, Ann Brashares, J.K. Rowling, Dr. Suess, Will Smith, Trenton Lee Stewart, and Kristin Hannah. (In case you're wondering, the author need not be alive in order to warrant a letter about literature.) Last year a record SIX of our 8th graders placed for the state of Washington...this year we're aiming for the BIG PRIZE: $10,000 for the 8th grade library!! And with the caliber of entries I've perused in our Reading Workshop journals, I do believe we have a chance! I'll keep you posted!!