News Release

10/16/07 Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library Invites Rhode Island Students to Enter Library of Congress Writing Contest—Letters About Literature, 2008

The Rhode Island Center for the Book invites readers in grades 4 through 12 to enter Letters About Literature, 2008, the national reading and writing promotion program sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target. Rhode Island readers have proven to be great writers in this contest over the past four years, with three National Winners and two Honorable Mentions since 2003. Elena Suglia, RI’s 2007 national winner from North Kingstown selected from over 55,000 entries, recently traveled to the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. to receive her award. Teachers, parents and librarians statewide are urged to encourage their students to participate.

To enter Letters About Literature, young readers write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work changed their view of the world or themselves. The books can be from any genre—fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic. The contest has three competition levels: Level 1 for students in grades 4-6; Level 2 for students in grades 7 and 8; and Level 3 for students in grades 9-12. Top state entries are featured on the RI Center for the Book website and invited to the RI Center for the Book’s Annual Meeting for an award ceremony and to read their letters. Each RI winner will receive a gift certificate to a local book store and a $50 Target GiftCard.

Target has redesigned the national prizes this year. Six winners (two per competition level) and 12 runners-up (four per competition level) will be selected nationally. Each national winner will receive a $500 Target GiftCard plus a Reading Promotion Grant of $10,000 for their school or community library, with the National winners themselves participating in the decision on how the library funds will be spent. The 12 national runners-up will win a $100 Target GiftCard, plus they will win a Reading Promotion Grant of $1,000 for their school or community library.

“To be able to give such a generous gift to his or her hometown or school library is an empowering experience for a young person,” said Catherine Gourley, L.A.L.’s national project director. “The goal of these grants is not only to recognize our young readers but also to bring personal reading experiences to other young people across the country.”

With more than 55,000 young people from across the nation entered the competition last year, the competition is pretty stiff. Librarians, teachers and parents can download the official guidelines and entry coupon at the RI Center for the Book website: www.ribook.org. All entries must be received by December 14, 2007.

A link to a free copy of the LAL teacher’s guide, which includes lesson plans, blackline masters, and assessment checklists is also available on the site. The national and state level winners and state honorable mentions will be announced in April, 2008.

Letters About Literature – 2008 is a project of the RI Center for the Book at Providence Public Library, www.ribook.org . Through a variety of programs and events, the Center promotes a love for books among people of all ages and backgrounds across Rhode Island. The National Center for the Book was established in 1977 as a public-private partnership to use the resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books and reading. For information about its activities and national reading promotion networks, visit www.loc.gov/cfbook.

Target sponsors Letters About Literature as part of its as part of its commitment to supporting education and early childhood reading. Target recognizes the integral role reading plays in shaping a child’s future, because reading is the foundation for life-long learning and success. Since opening its doors, Target has given five percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts and safe families and communities. Today that translates to $3 million every week.