Letters About Literature: a national writing contest for young readers The program Letters About Literature is an annual reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12.  The contest format is simple: students choose a book that matters to them and write a letter to its author about how the book has affected their lives. Afterwards, their entries are mailed to to the national LAL headquarters in Virginia for screening, and the semifinalist letters are sent back to us where they are judged by a panel of Maine educators and community leaders.  There are 3 levels for participants: level one (grades 4-6), level two (grades 7 & 8), and level three (grades 9-12). Each of these levels is judged separately.   The awards Maine's winners will receive: First Place: $100 cash Second Place: $25 gift certificate to a book store Third Place: A certificate Should a student's letter make it to the national level, a panel of national judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select one National Winner per competition level to receive a$1,000 cash award. The judges will also select one National Honor winner per competition level to receive a $200 cash award. The benefits While writing about the text, students are put in a position where they must think critically and carefully about the text itself, about themselves, about art and about life. This task is both creative and challenging. The deadlines Entries must be postmarked by: Level three (grades 9-12): December 15, 2014 Level two (grades 7 & 8) : January 15, 2015 Level one (grades 4-6): January 15, 2015 More Information For more information on how to enter, links, and tools, visit the MHC website. The Letters About Literature program in Maine is made possible by the David Royte Foundation.