Friday, October 26, 2007
Another Great Contest for Kids
The Legacy Project's annual Listen to a Life Essay Contest is a team effort – a young person 8-18 years interviews a grandparent or grandfriend 50 years or older about their life and writes a 300-word essay. This is one of our most popular contests! Prizes include a Lenovo ThinkCentre computer and $25,000 of Orchard Software.
http://www.legacyproject.org/contests/index.html
http://www.legacyproject.org/contests/index.html
Thursday, October 25, 2007
An Exciting Opportunity for Kids
Have you ever written to a favorite author? Here is a chance to turn a letter into a cash award.
The Virginia Foundation Center for the Book has announced the 2007-08 "Letters About Literature" reading and writing competition. Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to write a personal letter to the author of a favorite book. The Center will select the top letter writers in the state at each of the three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4,5, and 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, and Level III, grades 9, 10, 11, and12. The three state winners will receive $100 cash, a $50 Target giftcard, and will be invited to appear at the Opening Ceremony of the March 26, 2008 Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville.
Six national winners will each receive a $500 Target giftcard for themselves and $10,000 grant for their school or community library for reading promotion for children and young adults. Additionally, 12 honorable mention winners will receive a $100 Target giftcard and will win for their community or school library a $1,000 grant. Guidelines and the required entry form are available at www.virginiafoundation.org/bookcenter. The entry deadline is December 14, 2007.
The Virginia Foundation Center for the Book has announced the 2007-08 "Letters About Literature" reading and writing competition. Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to write a personal letter to the author of a favorite book. The Center will select the top letter writers in the state at each of the three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4,5, and 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, and Level III, grades 9, 10, 11, and12. The three state winners will receive $100 cash, a $50 Target giftcard, and will be invited to appear at the Opening Ceremony of the March 26, 2008 Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville.
Six national winners will each receive a $500 Target giftcard for themselves and $10,000 grant for their school or community library for reading promotion for children and young adults. Additionally, 12 honorable mention winners will receive a $100 Target giftcard and will win for their community or school library a $1,000 grant. Guidelines and the required entry form are available at www.virginiafoundation.org/bookcenter. The entry deadline is December 14, 2007.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Hiking in West Virginia
On a recent hiking trip to West Virginia, we stopped at Seneca Rocks (above) to admire the unusual rock outcropping. In addition to hiking a desolate Civil War era turnpike, we saw part of a reenactment of the Civil War Battle of Bulltown. Two Confederate officers (below) confer on the battle's progress. 
We had a great weekend!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Meeting Another Author
One of the fun things about signing books is meeting other authors. On Sunday, I met Mary Quattlebaum, the author of 15 children's books, and her delightful family. She is shown here with her husband and daughter Christy, dressed as the devil.
Mary was signing a new book, Sparks Fly High, a retelling of a traditional American folktale where Colonel Lightfoot enters a dance contest with the devil.
Check out the new book and Mary Quattlebaum at:
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Calling All Writers
Can you write a novel in the month of November?
The National November Novel Writing challenge will be getting underway November 1. Kids are invited to participate in the challenge in the Young Writers' Program.
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2
There is a special discussion forum for young novelists.
http://2005.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=204
Feel like taking on the challenge, check it out.
The National November Novel Writing challenge will be getting underway November 1. Kids are invited to participate in the challenge in the Young Writers' Program.
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2
There is a special discussion forum for young novelists.
http://2005.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=204
Feel like taking on the challenge, check it out.
