The BooksByChildren Writing Contest is open to students in grades 1 through college, or the Home School equivalent for undergraduate grades 1 through 12. Our goal is to encourage students to excel in reading and writing, as these skills are the foundation for success in learning. The Library also features an Art Gallery, because expression through art is a significant learning and sharing experience as well.

As an incentive, cash awards of $25.00 to $100.00 per grade group level click here for Prior Winners will be awarded to authors of the best written submissions [not artwork] published in the BooksByChildren Library during the current semester - submissions must be received no later than November 30th for the fall semester and April 30th for the spring semester. A matching award is paid to the student's school or PTA. Please note that it may take 30 to 45 days from the date of receipt, for stories or artwork to be published in the Library depending on the volume of submissions received in any month. However, all stories, once published, will be judged and considered for an award. Winners of the cash awards will be chosen by BooksByChildren management, in conjunction with teachers, from stories and artwork appearing in the Honor Roll. All decisions are final.

Written submissions will be judged on grammar and punctuation, organization [logical flow of idea or story], and reader interest retention. Grammar and punctuation account for 25% of the score for Grades 1-4, 35% in grades 5-8, and 50% in all other grade levels. The balance of the score in all grade levels is divided equally between "organization" and "reader interest retention." Artwork will be judged on the basis of visual appearance, and interest to the viewer. A score of 90 or better will be required for your story or artwork to make it to the Honor Roll.

Additionally, funding is being sought from individuals and corporations committed to excellence in education, for the purpose of providing annual scholarship awards to high school seniors [or home-school equivalent] and full time college students. To the degree that funds/sponsorships are available, scholarships will be awarded annually. Winners will be selected on or about May 31, with the awards to be paid by the following August. The awards will be issued payable jointly to the student and the University being attended. To be eligible, a story must have been received by BooksByChildren on or before the preceding April 30th.

Recipients of the scholarships will be chosen from stories, which appeared in the Honor Roll during the prior 12 months. The recipients will be chosen by an independent panel of educators with degrees in teaching, based on a review of the stories as originally submitted by the author. The stories will not be judged on how they appear in the BooksByChildren Library, but rather on original presentation. QUALITY COUNTS!

Return to Home Page, or Submit Your Story.