47 Finalists were honored on Saturday, May 11, from a pool of 335 submissions for this year's 21st Annual Teen Short Story Writing Contest.

A. S. King spoke to a packed house of teen writers, their families and friends. She delivered a motivational speech, sharing stories of her path as a writer, full of inspiration and wit.
Click here to see the slate of award winning judges.

Below are the top nine winners in each off the three grade categories:

Middle School:
1st Place - 'The Soles of Our Shoes' by Cynthia Jia
2nd Place - 'Beach Glass' by Sofia Kwok
3rd Place - 'The Invasion of Lizzy Burnell' by Mary Collins

High School 9th/10th:
1st Place - 'The Gourd Tree' by Marie Martelli
2nd Place - 'Prisoner's Dilemma' by Milo Davidson
3rd Place - 'Sunstep' by Steven Schulte

High School 11th/12th:
1st Place - 'Going Once' by Allison Light
2nd Place - 'Buoyancy' by Josie Benson
3rd Place - 'Breach' by Leah Awkward-Rich

Congratulations to all the writers, and we hope you continue to write many stories!

Thursday June 6, 2013: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Have you ever wondered if there are hidden symbols and messages in Kubrick’s masterpiece, "The Shining"? Learn more about this classic horror film, when the AADL screens the documentary “Room 237".

The film will be introduced by "The Shining" expert Geoffrey Cocks, who is also prominently featured in "Room 237".

Enjoy an evening of film and enlightening discussion - and find out more about the secrets hidden deep in "The Shining"!

Saturday June 8, 2013: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Sensory loss is visible in the blind and the deaf, but what about people who lose their sense of smell?

Michelle Krell Kydd, editor of Glass Petal Smoke (http://glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com), spent time talking to congenital and acquired anosmics to get a better understanding of how the absence of the sense of smell has affected their lives. What she's learned will inspire you to pay attention to a sense that is closely linked to memory.

Editor Donald R. Gallo is a recipient of the ALAN Award for Outstanding Contributions to Young Adult Literature and the editor of several short story anthologies for teens, including the highly praised DESTINATION UNEXPECTED. The American Library Association includes his anthology SIXTEEN:Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults among the 100 Best Books for Young Adults.

A former junior high school teacher and university professor of English, Don Gallo currently spends his time as an editor, author, workshop presenter,
and interviewer of famous authors.

Don Gallo is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write short story writing contest for teens.

The panel of 11 judges will look at the finalists in three grade categories of 6-7-8 (Middle School), 9-10 (High School) and 11-12 (High School) and select the
winners who are announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 11, with A. S. King as guest speaker.

Jo Knowles is the author of teen novels, with most recently See You at Harry's c2012 and Pearl c2011.
She recently received the Crystal Kite Award for her book, Pearl, and prior to that was the recipient of the 2005 Pen Literary Award.
Currently she lives in Vermont.

Check here for resources for writers she has
listed on her website.

Jo Knowles is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write short story writing contest for teens.

The panel of 11 judges will look at the finalists in three grade categories of 6-7-8 (Middle School), 9-10 (High School) and 11-12 (High School)
and select the winners who are announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 11, with A. S. King as guest speaker.