Frequently Asked Questions

What is the contest theme?: Young readers write to a favorite author--past or present--describing how that author's work changed the reader's view of the world or self. Readers respond to the book they've read by exploring the personal relationship between themselves, the author and the book's characters or themes.

Can children write to authors no longer living?: Absolutely. Children can write to authors who lived in the past or those living now.

Does it matter what the authors have written?: Students can select a fiction or nonfiction book, short story, poem or speech but not song lyrics.

Will the letters be answered or will the letters be forwarded to the authors?: Unfortunately, no. Because of the huge volume of letters received, the staff can neither acknowledge receipt, answer letters nor forward the letters to the authors. Students should make a copy of their letter prior to submitting it to the contest.

Where are the letters to authors sent?: Letters are submitted to the national LAL office: LAL 2008, Competition Level (Indicate I, II, or III), Post Office Box 609, Dallas, PA 18612.

Why is an entry coupon necessary if the child's name is on the letter?: Very often children forget to write their names and complete addresses on the letter. Also, the coupon information helps us to build a mailing list for subsequent years and to determine the geographic distribution of our program. Teachers should not use one coupon for an entire class set. Each entry must have its own coupon.

What educational value does LAL have for my child/students?: Research supports the link between reading and writing: children who read, write better; children who write, read more. And so the cycle continues. LAL challenges students by asking that they write to a particular audience (the author of a book rather than a teacher) with a specific purpose (to explain or describe his or her personal reader response to the work). By encouraging them to express rather than impress, they develop their natural writing voices and practice important real-world writing skills.

Who judges the letters?: More than 100 judges across the country read the letters and select state winners. A panel of national judges then assess the state winners to select six national finalists, two per competition level.

What are the competition levels?: Level I: grades 4-6
Level II: grades 7-8
Level III: grades 9-12.

When are the winners selected and notified?: Iowa winners will be selected by mid-March and notified soon after. First place winners in Iowa will then advance to national competition. At the national level there will be two winners plus four honorable mentions at each competition level. These winners will be announced in April.

Who should I contact about this program in Iowa?: The Coordinator of the Iowa Center for the Book.