Blog Post
Introducing Judge #7 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Kelly Milner Halls has more than 25 books published, one of which is the amazing non-fiction title Operation Rescue: Saving the Baghdad Zoo, which tells the story of remarkable animals and the team that worked to save them. A recent release, Girl Meets Boy: Because There Are Two Sides to Every Story is a collection that she edited with a lineup of YA authors with a he said/she said telling of each story. Her shorter nonfiction has been published in numerous publications. She lives in Spokane, Washington.
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #6 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Bluefish is the fourth teen novel for Pat Schmatz. This latest book received a starred review from Horn Book Magazine, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and School Library Journal. In Bluefish, everything changes for thirteen-year-old Travis, a new student who is trying to hide his illiteracy, when he meets a sassy classmate with her own secrets and a remarkable teacher. Pat currently lives in rural Wisconsin.
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #5 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
The Green Shore, Natalie’s debut novel, release date June 2012, is set in Athens and Paris, against the backdrop of the Greek military dictatorship and centered around four memorable characters. Natalie Bakopoulos holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of Michigan, where she now teaches. Her work has appeared in Tin House, Ninth Letter, and Granta Online, and she received a 2010 O. Henry Award, a Hopwood Award, and Platsis Prize for Work in the Greek Legacy.
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012.
Blog Post
Library Lego League: Robot Wrestling Rules
by dubaym
It's a battle to the finish as you build and battle your champion robot!!
Two robots enter the ring, only one leaves victorious! Battle teams will assemble to create the most devastating robot possible. Build your demolition demon, program your plan of attack, then release the un-holy terror that is robot wrestling! Prizes are for the champions!
This event is for teens (grades 6 - 12).
The Arena: The event will take place on a 4’ diameter smooth cardboard ring, with a 2” wide black boarder to help the robots determine the edge of the ring.
All robots must be build on-site using only the provided parts from one (1) NXT 9797 kit. Fight programs must be programmed on site with provided computers and software.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #4 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Terry Trueman, published Stuck in Neutral in 2000, which was a Printz Honor book, followed by Inside Out, Cruise Control, and No Right Turn. Terry received his degree in creative writing from Eastern Washington University, with degrees in psychology and an MFA in creative writing , also from Eastern Washington.
Terry Trueman is the father of two sons, and makes his home in Spokane.
He is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012.
Blog Post
March 16th Last Day for Short Story Submissions
by Bertha
The deadline for submitting stories to the Teen Short Story Writing Contest is Friday, March 16. So you still have time to put on those finishing touches and submit to: allwrite@aadl.org. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Prizes are awarded for 1st ($250), 2nd($150), and 3rd($100) place in three categories: Grades 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12. "It's All Write!" is cosponsored by the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library.
You will receive an email verifying that we have received your story, and then the process begins of screening the stories and having the final judges select the winners. All stories are judged anonymously and finalists will be notified by mail. Winners will be announced at an Awards Program on Saturday, May 12 from 1:30 - 3 pm at the Downtown Multi-Purpose Room. Author and former short story winner, Caitlin Horrocks will be announcing the winners and discussing the craft of writing.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #3 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Acclaimed novelist for both teens and adults, Beth Kephart currently teaches an advanced nonfiction workshop at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the winner of numerous grants, and the Speakeasy Poetry Prize, among other honors. Kephart’s essays are frequently anthologized, and she has judged numerous competitions. Undercover and House of Dance were both named a best of the year by Kirkus and Bank Street. Nothing But Ghosts, A Heart is Not a Size and Dangerous Neighbors, were also critically acclaimed. Most recently, You Are My Only, tells the gripping stories of Emmy and Sophie, in alternating narratives, ‘of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained.’
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012. For guidelines to the contest, click here. Send your stories to allwrite@aadl.org
Good Luck! The deadline is March 16th.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #2 for the Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Judith Ortiz Cofer, is a critically acclaimed and widely published poet, novelist, and essayist. Her latest book, If I Could Fly, tells the story of fifteen-year-old Doris, her mother, a professional singer, returns to Puerto Rico and her father finds a girlfriend. Doris cares for a neighbor's pigeons and relies on friends as she begins to find her own voice and wings. Judith writes extensively about the experience of being Puerto Rican and her identity as a woman and writer in the U.S. An Island Like You Stories from the Barrio tells of twelve interconnected stories set in a New Jersey barrio. Currently she is teaching literature and creative writing at the University of Georgia.
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012. For guidelines to the contest, click here. Send your stories to allwrite@aadl.org
Good Luck! The deadline is March 16th.
Blog Post
Introducing Judge #1 for Teen Short Story Writing Contest
by Bertha
Rita Williams-Garcia’s work has been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents’ Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People’s Literature and is on faculty at Vermont College MFA Writing for Children and Young People.
Winner of the 2011 Coretta Scott King Award AND the Newbery Honor Book, One Crazy Summer is the story of three girls from Brooklyn who head out to California to stay with their mother, a poet, who ran off years before; the year is 1968.
She is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write Teen short story writing contest. The panel of 10 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 will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 12, 2012. For guidelines to the contest, click here. Send your stories to allwrite@aadl.org
Good Luck! The deadline is March 16th.
Blog Post
Teen Short Story Contest - March 16th Last Day for Submissions
by Bertha
You still have time to put the finishing touches on your SHORT STORY. The deadline for turning in stories is March 16, Friday. Submit to: allwrite@aadl.org
Prizes are awarded for 1st Place ($250), 2nd Place ($150), and 3rd Place ($100) in three different grade categories of 6-7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. Check here for complete guidelines.
You will receive an email verifying that we have received your story, and then the process begins of screening the stories and having the final judges select the winners. All stories are judged anonymously and finalists will be notified. Winners will be announced at an Awards Program on Saturday, May 12, from 1:30 - 3 pm. Caitlin Horrocks a winner of the 1997 short story contest, will be speaking and signing copies of This Is Not Your City her first collection of published stories.
You can check here to see some of the previous winning stories.
Good Luck!