Entry forms for the 2008 Letters About Literature contest, a national reading-writing contest sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target Stores, are now available on the Indiana Center for the Book’s website. The competition calls for entrants to write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre (fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic, etc.) explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s way of thinking about the world or their self.

As in previous years, state contest winners will receive a cash award, plaque, and frameable copy of their letter from the Indiana Center for the Book during an awards presentation next spring. Top winners also receive a Target GiftCard and advance to the national level competition. A new prize for this year’s national winners – and one that will hopefully encourage public and school libraries to get young patrons to participate – is a $10,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant for the community or school library of the winner’s choice. National winners will also receive a $500 Target GiftCard. Additionally, the national honorable mention winners will each receive a $100 Target GiftCard and a $1,000 LAL Reading Promotion Grant for the community or school library of their choice.

For additional information or to obtain official contest guidelines, entry coupons, or teaching guides, contact the Indiana Center for the Book by phone at (317) 232-3699 or by email, or visit the Letters About Literature website. Letters About Literature is open to legal U.S. residents enrolled as a student in grades 4-12 during 2007/2008 school year and nine (9) years of age or older as of 9/1/07. Contest starts 9/1/07 and ends 12/14/07.