About the Contest

Letters About Literature was a reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12. Students were asked to read a book, poem or speech and write to the author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally. Letters were judged on state and national levels. Tens of thousands of students from across the country entered Letters About Literature each year. Here is more information from the Library of Congress Center for the Book:

The Letters About Literature program, sponsored by the Library of Congress, concluded its 27th and final year with the 2018-2019 program.

The Library is proud of the years it sponsored Letters About Literature. This national reading and writing competition, which touched more than 1 million students, has been a source of much joy and inspiration at the nation’s library.

Information about past winners of the competition is available below.

View National Winners

View State Level Winners