LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE

Letters about Literature is no longer accepting entries to the 2009-10 year's writing competition. Keep tuned for results in late spring 2010.

Sponsored locally by the Minnesota Humanities Center with support from the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English and the Pioneer Press and nationally by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target, the annual Letters About Literature essay contest asks students in grades four through 12 to write a letter to an author, past or present, describing how that author’s work touched them in a personal way. Readers can select authors from any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic.

State winners advance to the national competition and are honored by the Humanities Center at the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English annual spring conference. Winners at both state and national levels will receive prizes.

"How to Write a Successful Letter"

Cathy Gourley, National Director of Letters About Literature

For information about the contest, instructions on how to enter, and to download educator resources, please Click here.

The Humanities Center is pleased to share the 2008-9 Letters About Literature State Winners. (Click on the links to view a PDF of each letter.)

Level I (grades 4-6)

First place: Hannah Klingberg, Blaine

Letter to Patricia Reilly Giff, author of Willow Run

Second place: Julia Jane Marie Braulick, Northfield

Letter to Rick Riordian, author of The Lightning Thief

Third place: Beverly White, Fridley

Letter to Sharon Flake, author of The Skin I’m In

Level II (grades 7-8)

First place: Margarita Rudenko, Minnetonka

Letter to Jodee Blanco, author of Please Stop Laughing at Me

Second place: Jessie Kanter, Minnetonka

Letter to Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie

Third place: Marissa Knutson, Hugo

Letter to Julie A. Swanson, author of Going for the Record

Level III (grades 9-12)

First place: Amelia Leuer, St. Michael (National Winner!)

Letter to Linda Pastan, author of Caroline

Second place: Alyssa Hencley, Little Canada

Letter to Edith Wharton, author of The House of Mirth

Third place: Kelsey Preisinger, New Ulm

Letter to Judy Blume, author of Blubber

Reader Response Workshop Resources

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Letters about Literature Informational Handout (PDF) READ

Letters about Literature Curriculum Chart (PDF) READ

FAQ Handout (PDF) READ

Lois Lowry Lesson Handout (PDF) READ

Accentuate the Positive Handout (PDF) READ

Correspond Don't Compliment Handout (PDF) READ

Dead End Detours Handout (PDF) READ

Bookends Handout (PDF) READ

Sara Nelson's Poetry Handout (Word Document) READ

Sara Nelson's Poetry Bibliography (Word Document) READ

Links, Books, Resources Mentioned (Word Document) READ

For more information on this project, contact Eden Bart, Outreach Specialist, eden@minnesotahumanities.org, 651-772-4261 or toll free 866-268-7293, ext. 261.