The State Library’s Louisiana Center for the Book is announcing the state winners of the Letters About Literature competition, a national reading-writing contest, sponsored by Library of Congress Center for the Book and Target, that asks students to write a personal letter to an author or poet, living or dead, explaining how that writer's work impacted the students’ lives or worldviews. The Letters About Literature national headquarters received 787 entries from Louisiana students. From these, the top letters in each grade level were chosen as Louisiana’s finalists and forwarded to the Louisiana Center for the Book. Winning entries for each level were then selected by a panel of judges comprising teachers and librarians from across the state and the first place letter in each grade level was then returned to LAL Central where national winners will be announced in the spring.
The Louisiana winners of the competition from throughout the state are listed below.
| Level I (grades 4 – 6) |
| 1st Place: |
Ella Frantzen, individual entry, Lafayette |
| 2nd Place: |
Emma Gruesbeck, NSU Laboratory School, Natchitoches
Teacher: Lisa Wiggins
|
| 3rd Place: |
Asia Pikes, NSU Laboratory School, Natchitoches
Teacher: Lisa Wiggins
|
| Level II (grades 7 – 8) |
| 1st Place: |
Imogen Hoffman, Ursuline Academy, New Orleans
Teacher: Katie Gremillion
|
| 2nd Place: |
Olivia Gower, Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
Teacher: Jean Doucet
|
| 3rd Place: |
Olivia Parker, Baton Rouge International School
Teacher: Amanda Ford
|
| Level III (grades 9 – 12) |
| 1st Place: |
Lea Trusty, Destrehan High School
Teacher: Lynn Thompson |
| 2nd Place: |
Samantha Barnes, Northshore High School, Slidell
Teacher: Catherine Tanguis |
| 3rd Place: |
Rebecca Aaron, Bolton High School, Alexandria
Teacher: Nancy Monroe |
Ella Frantzen, Level 1 first-place winner, wrote to Old Yeller author Fred Gipson: “I love to read because reading takes me away. When I read your book, though, it did not take me anywhere. It brought me home.”
Writing to author Avi about The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Level 2 winner Imogen Hoffman said: “Thank you for writing a book that helped me to understand that a girl is not limited by the ideas that others have of her. She can only be limited by the idea she has of herself.”
The Level 3 winner, Lea Trusty, wrote to Jane Austen: “The most important tool reading provided me with was a consciousness of the importance of literacy. Both of my parents were immigrants, in search of greater opportunities and a better education when coming to America. Yet, I had not fully understood the blessings of my own education until I fell in love with reading. I finally understood what a book was: the power of knowledge, and the responsibility of using it to better the world around me. For this, and so much more, I have you to thank for your dedication to writing, despite the odds, leading to your life-changing work, Pride and Prejudice.”
The Louisiana Writing Project serves as a partner in the state Letters About Literature contest. For a complete list of this year’s winners and finalists, visit www.state.lib.la.us.
– www.LouisianaTravel.com –
LAL 2012 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Letters
Level I - 1st Place
Dear Mr. Gipson,
I am writing to you about your book, Old Yeller. I discovered the book in our school library before the holiday. I love dogs and wanted to read about Old Yeller, because the book’s cover had a cool picture of a cute boy and a friendly dog.
I thought your book would make me laugh, but it made me cry. I really felt like I could relate to Travis, because I have a little sister who is always bugging me like Arliss, but I love her anyway. I also have a dog, Zoe, that I love very much, and I could not imagine having to kill Zoe.
Your book connected very much with my life because, when I was little, I lived in New Orleans. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, we moved away to a new town, but I never really felt like I was at home here because I never really got to say goodbye to my old friends. It seemed like my closest friends were all dead because I couldn’t speak to them and I couldn’t see them – they moved away, too.
Your book made me feel like it is okay to start over and it is okay not to know where to turn next. And it is okay to lose something you love. It taught me that losing things and dying are a part of life. And, like the brown, speckled pup in Old Yeller that started a new adventure, life of all kinds starts over again but just a little bit different.
Mr. Gipson, I love to read because reading takes me away. When I read your book, though, it did not take me anywhere. It brought me home. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Ella Frantzen
Level I - 2nd Place
January 9, 2012
Dear Norton Juster,
Your book, The Phantom Tollbooth, has changed my idea of learning completely. When I was younger, I was very similar to Milo. I hated school. My worst enemies were our subjects. To me our teachers were speaking a foreign language. Both my heart and my mind felt the same way about school: who cares about it?
A few years later, just like how the tollbooth appeared in Milo’s room, a teal book with a gold font appeared on my desk. I normally would have just asked if we could do this assignment later. But everyone was already reading! Not wanting to be left behind, I had no choice but to open your book and read.
Soon, I was in the little electric car with Milo, speeding through the the tollbooth and into a strange and wonderful land. I became confused when I met the Whether Man, and left Expectations only to become stuck in the Doldrums. Then, making room for Tock, we carried on to Dictionopolis and added the Humbug to our party. The whole time, from starting out as strangers to ending as heroes, I didn’t even realize we were learning.
Now, in fifth grade, my opinion of learning is completely different. Learning isn’t boring. Learning is magical. It is an adventure of ups and downs, numbers and letters, and surprises. How silly I was, in first and second grade, to not understand. If it weren’t for you book with the teal cover and the golden title, I never would have understood the gift of learning.
Thank you,
Emma Gruesbeck
Level I – 3rd Place
Dear Barbara Drawhorn,
Your book Maddie “Waaa” affected me in so many ways. When you are the oldest, sometimes you want your personal items left alone. Maddie is always messing with Tierra’s things, and I too experience the same thing. I get upset just like Tierra does; I hate when my little sister messes with my belongings.
This book helps me realize that this is normal for your little sister to mess with your things, and even though it is normal it still makes me want to slap her silly now and then. But I do that anyway.
T’unna will have me fast on my heels screaming, give me my markers or sunflower seeds, and when she doesn’t give it back to me then I want to beat her up. Now I realize that I need to at least try to be a little more patient with T’unna instead of screaming at her.
It teaches me a better way to get along with my sister and allow her to respect my things.
I realized that it is important to try and solve the problem before she starts screaming and howling, because it takes awhile to get her to stop crying. Once again I want to slap her senseless but I know that is not the right thing to do.
It’s always good to read a book that helps you learn how to deal with situations. It’s good to know that the characters in the book are just like me and my family. It taught me that my family is very well normal and the problems with my little sister can be easily solved. A little more patience with her because of her age and less slapping her senseless will allow us to grow closer.
Sincerely,
Asia Pikes
Level II – 1st Place
Dear Mr. Avi,
It was that time of year again. You know, when students are forced to do the Summer Reading List. I have always purchased books that were not too long or boring. I had it down to a science, especially the part where I got the high grade, without letting the book get inside me. Read the book. Write the report. Get the “A.” Then onto the bookshelf it went, one more award-winning book added to my collection. But The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was amazingly different. I never knew books could be so powerful. As I flipped through, I had an urge to read on that I couldn’t resist. At first I was fascinated because sea stories are always about boys, but this one said it was about a thirteen-year-old girl. Then the front-page warning said: “If strong ideas and actions offend you, read no more.” I thought “a suspenseful book about a girl at sea?” I was sold. It was like the book was waiting for me. But what I didn’t know was that the world of reading for me would never be the same.
At first, Charlotte seemed terribly different from me. This helped to keep myself out of the story. She behaved as a girly-girl who judged people by their appearances. She only showed them the girl they wanted to see. Then her character started to grow on me as she struggled alone, while the plot twisted and turned. She was afraid. I knew what her fear felt like. Every girl knows what that feels like. You want to show your real self, but will people except you? At my new school, I was comfortable as the straight “A” student. It was something I was good at. But making friends was harder. Charlotte opens up to Zachariah, showing her true self, just as I began to let others see me. Not trusting people is something Charlotte and I have in common. Slowly I started connecting with her, everything she was thinking and feeling. Her thoughts became mine. I wanted to warn her at times. I kept getting lost in the book, like it was my story.
I haven’t read anything that let me experience myself before. I never knew writing could have that purpose. Outside Charlotte, I would never have the courage to take on Jaggery. Inside her, I was capable of anything. I was in the storm too, challenged what Jaggery thought of a “girl,” and accepted the crew making us captain. This made me wonder if writers know the impact words have on readers. When books get inside the hidden parts of you, like this one does, does it stay a part of you forever?
Halfway through, I discovered there was more to Charlotte than she could keep hidden any longer. I feel this all the time. I recently made a hard decision to move schools. I needed to leave behind friends to explore my talents and interests.
I found Charlotte smart and courageous, back in history when women and minorities were shown they were of little value. By the end, she and Zachariah proved that idea wrong. For Charlotte, leaving the life she knew changed her forever. Her “true confessions” became her new story. For me, the decision to step into my future, with a change of direction, is just the beginning of mine.
Thank you for writing a book that helped me to understand that a girl is not limited by the ideas that others have of her. She can only be limited by the idea she has of herself.
Sincerely,
Imogen Hoffman
Level II – 2nd Place
Dear Margaret Peterson Haddix,
I just finished reading your book Among the Hidden. Like Luke and Jen, I am a third child and being the third child your book had me wondering. What if it were against the law to have more than two children today? If so, would my parents be brave enough to have me? Once here, would they give me up to the government out of fear or would they be brave enough to hide me? I cannot imagine a parent having to make that kind of a decision. What if there really was a population police? What would I do?
I don’t think I could accept the fact that I wasn’t allowed to exist. I hope I would have the courage like Jen to rebel. Well, I’m not really sure if I would be brave enough to rebel and take the chance of being killed, because I’m such a “scaredy-cat,” but I know I would not want to stay in hiding my entire life. To stay in hiding would mean I couldn’t go to most of the places I go to like school, church, friend’s houses, and even outside to play. Like Luke, I would be so curious to explore the world, and as a third child, I would not have that freedom. I’m like Jen; I consider myself a leader. I like to take charge. I would like to think I could organize a rally to stand up for my right to life.
What I don’t understand is how anyone could deny the life of a child. How could you kill an innocent child? Would this be the answer to a food shortage? I would hope that our society would never allow this to happen, but like in the book the government may think that it is necessary. Maybe we should think about conserving our resources so that it is not necessary to ever have such an unfair law.
Well, I enjoyed reading the book and can’t wait to read Among the Imposters.
Sincerely,
Olivia Gower
Level II -3rd Place
Dear Mrs. Collins,
My name is Olivia and I am 12 years old. I have loved to read for my entire life and I love books that engulf me. At least twenty people had recommended your The Hunger Games trilogy to me, so I went to a small bookstore near my house one day and bought the first book. After I paid, I bought a soda from the vending machine outside and went back in.
I found a comfy beanbag chair in a quiet corner and started to read. It was about 2:00 then. I read, read, read, and read for four hours. Even when I had to use the bathroom, I brought the book with me! I just couldn’t stop! At 6:00, closing time, I begged and begged the store owner to let me stay, but I couldn’t. I grabbed my stuff and walked out. My eyes were glued to the book the entire walk home. I didn’t even greet my dad who had been away on business for a week when I got home. I just went straight to my room and kept reading.
At about midnight, I finished The Hunger Games. I stayed up thinking about how much the book changed me. How much more thankful I am for what I have, and how glad I am that I’m not living in Panem. I also thought about how much Katniss is just like me. My younger sister and I are the same age difference as Katniss and Prim; I love her unconditionally. I’m also adventurous. I feel that the whole plot of the book reflects similar, but less drastic, conflicts in my life, like choosing between two people that I like.
The whole rebellion inspired me. I love how the people of Panem stand up for what they believe in when they’ve had enough. It actually made me stand up at school when a pretty severe issue came up. My friends and I wrote a letter to the administration, and even though it took a lot of convincing; they finally decided to do something about it.
One thing that really changed my perspective on the world was Rue. A sweet, smart, spry, nifty, innovative survivor of a girl. Innocent. Killed. I cried for days. My Mom even considered taking the book away from me because I couldn’t handle it. I have loved my sister and everyone I know even more than I had before.
The death of Finnick in Mockingjay also really touched me. He loved Annie so much, only to be killed. When Katniss begged to go back and couldn’t, I was broken. Another thing in Mockingjay that moved me was when Katniss was on the balcony of the President’s mansion and she was supposed to shoot President Snow, but instead shot President Coin. It made me reassess who my friends and enemies were. I have actually made new friends because of it!
This trilogy was a rollercoaster ride. It would peak, dip, spiral, crash, burn, loop, corkscrew, and climb. I was always swamped into the plot, as if I was in the arena with Katniss. I LOVED IT!!!!!!
I appreciate the time that you put into writing you novels, not to mention effort and sheer talent. You have touched so many people, including me, with your writings. By the way, my friends and I have already gotten our Hunger Games T-shirts, and are going to see the movie when it comes out! We can’t wait!!!
Once again, thank you for writing these books. They really have made me a better person. Please respond if you can!!
Sincerely,
Olivia Parker
Level III – 1st Place
Dear Ms. Austen,
I have a dangerous confession, Ms. Austen. The first ten years of my life was filled with a passionate loathing for literature. No matter the books I was introduced to, I found them all consistently insipid and uninspiring. My parents often attempted to reform me and, the summer before 6th grade, sentenced me to spend a substantial time at the library. On one particular day, after shuffling through the library’s shelves and finding nothing of interest, I was lounging in a creaky maroon couch, staring at a clock’s hands grudgingly move. I was rudely interrupted by a librarian, a college girl with rimless glasses, pushing the world’s shrillest book cart. Still miffed after she left, I was returning to boredom, when I noticed a forgotten book on the cart. Reluctantly rising, I picked up the book and murmured the title: Pride and Prejudice. Unfamiliar with it, I read the synopsis on the back cover. Surprisingly intrigued, I decided to bring your novel home.
Perhaps it would be difficult to imagine someone’s life changing so immensely in just a matter of days, all by one book. But this very same thing happened to me. By nine o’clock that night, I was fifteen chapters in, snared by a group of baffling women on a daunting yet hilarious journey to marriage. On day two, I was arguing with characters, wondering how Mr. Darcy could be so insensitive, and Elizabeth so blind. By day three, I had finished the book and was stunned that I was actually upset the story was over. The passion of your characters and the complex yet entertaining plot had intrigued me as no other story I had read ever did. Finally, I had enjoyed reading a book.
Pride and Prejudice was responsible for my burgeoning love affair with literature. I continued to read more of your novels, falling in love with more of your characters, my favorites Emma Woodhouse, who I quickly identified with most as a meddler with good intentions—blind to my own life and love within it—Marianne Dashwood , and Anne Elliot. I also embarked on the works of other British writers like the Bronte sisters and Shakespeare. Not until high school did I discover American literature, easily falling in love with the poetry of Emily Dickenson, eagerly reading bold Tennessee Williams plays. I had discovered the joys of world literature, embarking on novels such as Pale Fire, Waiting, and Madame Bovary.
Still, no matter their genre, all were able to accomplish what reading had never done for me until Pride and Prejudice—bring me to a different time, a fresh place separate from reality, while carrying the characters and the multitude of lessons within their stories into my everyday life. Literature also brought me to a greater passion: journalism. As I grew older, I sought for more diverse forms of writing, and discovered newsmagazines. I was effortlessly able to connect print journalists to the authors I loved so much: they were simply translating an important event, a personal ideal, into words to educate and enthrall. I now strive to better my writing and become a journalist with this skill.
The most important tool reading provided me with was a consciousness of the importance of literacy. Both of my parents were immigrants, in search of greater opportunities and a better education when coming to America. Yet, I had not fully understood the blessings of my own education until I fell in love with reading. I finally understood what a book was: the power of knowledge, and the responsibility of using it to better the world around me. For this, and so much more, I have you to thank for your dedication to writing, despite the odds, leading to your life-changing work, Pride and Prejudice.
Sincerely,
Lea Trusty
Level III – 2nd Place
Dear J.K. Rowling,
I made the decision to write to you because I really don’t think there has been any series more influential and important in my life that the Harry Potter series. I was two years old when Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released in the UK, four years old when it was released in the USA. At four, I vividly remember my older brother reading the book and suggesting to me that I would like it when I was old enough. Being the stubborn toddler that I was, I decided I was old enough that day, and proceeded to sit down on the couch and pour myself into Philosopher’s Stone (known to me then only as the Sorcerer’s Stone). That day, I began to read my first chapter book. That day, I quickly grew to love the characters of a book more than anything. Later that evening, my mother would find me in her bathroom, standing on a stepstool, and using her brown eyeliner to draw a lightning bolt on my forehead.
As the other books in the series would be released over the next 8 years, some of my favorite childhood memories are from going to parties at book stores such as Barnes & Noble to celebrate the release of the new Potter books. My brother and I both had our Harry Potter glasses from Party City (I still have mine, and they still have tape on the bridge), eyeliner-drawn lightning bolt scars, black robes that were really capes that our mother had artfully pinned, and wands made out of rolled up pieces of paper. My friend from school, Emily, began the tradition of having birthday parties for Harry Potter every year. There were Acid Pops and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans galore, DIY-ed Harry Potter trivia games, and book and movie marathon slumber parties. When Deathly Hallows was released, my brother was in college, so we weren’t able to go to a book store party to honor the occasion. Instead, we pre-ordered the books (one for each of us) from Amazon, and they showed up in our mailbox that afternoon. I stayed up until four in the morning reading it, and I do not ever recall crying as much as I did then. To me, it was more than just the end of a book series – and what a spectacular ending it was – it was the end of something I had grown up with. It felt as if my childhood was ending prematurely.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why I love the Harry Potter series as much as I do. It could have been the sheer notion of it – a whole world, right along our own Muggle lives, where witches and wizards were active! Potions and spells! Sports played on brooms! It’s enthralling. It could have been the vividness of the stories – never once, in twelve years of reading this series, have I ever felt like I was being asked to suspend my disbelief. Instead, every sentence, every word, every letter has significance, every point is important, and not once does anything seem out of place. Everything feels as if it belongs. However, I think if I had to name one thing that keeps it so dear to my heart, it would be how much I learned from the series. Harry has to fight off the greatest Dark wizard known to wizarding kind, and yet he always stayed true to his friends, Ron and Hermione. Harry taught me at a young age the importance of fighting for what’s right. Dumbledore taught me to respect my elders, and having someone you can trust is always important. Hermione taught me it was okay to be an overachiever. Ron taught me the importance of friendship. Luna taught me it was okay to be myself. Ginny taught me that dreams really come true. Fred and George showed me the need for levity in dark and difficult times. Voldemort was my perfect example of why evil will never triumph. And you, Ms. Rowling, gave me my love for reading, my most important life lessons, and my most treasured possessions. And for that, I thank you.
Sincerely,
Samantha Barnes
Level III - 3rd Place
Dear Scott Westerfield,
Your novel Uglies exposed me to a dystopian society for the first time. I originally read it in 7th grade and recently re-read it. As a seventeen year old high school junior, I now fully realize the implications of this novel and how easily it could become reality.
When I read this book, I was amazed by the characters’ experiences. The initial descriptions of Tally’s world intrigued me. A world where every person can choose how to change personal experience is compelling and what every young girl dreams of. No child in a junior high setting is satisfied with looks, and I was no exception. Discovering later that Tally’s perfect world was not as it seemed came as a huge shock, though. I had never imagined such deceptions existed. Having grown up in the United States, where the government is for the people, by the people, and of the people, the concept of being against the people is alien to me. Learning that the government could control a person wholeheartedly and change lives stunned me. The implications of government mind control did not hit me until recently.
As a seventeen year old, I can vote in one year and am conscious of my future responsibilities. I am aware of how my vote will influence the way the government is run. However, because the United States is a democratic republic, I cannot vote on every single issue. As I am typing this letter, a bill called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is being considered for passage in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, certain websites would be completely blocked by the government. If used correctly, it would make it harder to violate copyright privileges online. However, the vague wording of the law might lead to misuse. We have no way to know that what is being blocked is actually in violation of the law. The government can say it is in violation, but if it is not viewable, who can know? Due process would not be involved. The censorship and control that would occur are similar to the way Tally’s government controlled its citizens.
In Tally’s city, the government’s word is taken without question. The result was a world where liberties did not exist. Tally’s discovery of David’s camp came with the discovery of how her rights were violated. The government was suddenly questioned. Today, cosmetic surgery and implant technology exist for the future you have envisioned. The government checks and balances we currently have in place are what keep it from becoming a reality. However, SOPA could be an entry into Tally’s world.
Your novel has made me realize I cannot keep silent when the government tries to infringe upon personal liberties. Because of the potential for losing current liberties, I am writing my representative to vote against this measure. I have also discussed the implications of the act with my friends, and they are writing letters as well. My involvement with politics will not stop with SOPA. I must remain vigilant and active in preserving our liberties. Uglies made me realize that I have to be aware of what the government is doing before it is too late. One thing leads to another, and without paying attention to politics Tally’s world could soon become my own.
Sincerely,
Rebecca A. Aaron
LAL 2012 All Finalists from National
|
Name
|
School
|
City
|
Teacher
|
|
Level I
|
|
Callyn Blanchard
|
Belle Chasse Academy
|
Belle Chasse
|
Lauren Hihar
|
|
Jamie Stagg
|
Copper Mill Elementary School
|
Zachary
|
Melinda Trawick
|
|
Ashley Roberts
|
Copper Mill Elementary School
|
Zachary
|
Melinda Trawick
|
|
Gage Bennett
|
Copper Mill Elementary School
|
Zachary
|
Melinda Trawick
|
|
Divya Kasarla
|
Episcopal School of Acadiana
|
Lafayette
|
Anna Gauthier
|
|
Chloe Lavoie
|
Lusher Charter School
|
New Orleans
|
Katheryne Patterson
|
|
Caleb Rogers
|
Lusher Charter School
|
New Orleans
|
Katheryne Patterson
|
|
Regan Keen
|
NSU Laboratory School
|
Natchitoches
|
Lisa Wiggins
|
|
Claire Spann
|
NSU Laboratory School
|
Natchitoches
|
Lisa Wiggins
|
|
Asia Pikes
|
NSU Laboratory School
|
Natchitoches
|
Lisa Wiggins
|
|
Emma Gruesbeck
|
NSU Laboratory School
|
Natchitoches
|
Lisa Wiggins
|
|
Kade Dukaric
|
Runnels Elementary School
|
Baton Rouge
|
Lisa Fennell
|
|
Kaylen Howe
|
Runnels Elementary School
|
Baton Rouge
|
Lisa Fennell
|
|
Raphaella Brown
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Eleanor Simmons
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Randi Salez
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Kitty Graf
|
|
Anthony Thompson
|
individual entry
|
Natchitoches
|
|
|
Ella Frantzen
|
individual entry
|
Lafayette
|
|
|
Bailey Chutz
|
individual entry
|
Ventress
|
|
|
Level II
|
|
Melissa Sanchez
|
Baton Rouge International School
|
Baton Rouge
|
Amanda Ford
|
|
Olivia Parker
|
Baton Rouge International School
|
Baton Rouge
|
Amanda Ford
|
|
Maddie Palermo
|
Brusly Middle School
|
Brusly
|
Susan Herrington
|
|
Heather Teer
|
False River Academy
|
New Roads
|
Myrna Tuminello
|
|
Hunter Teer
|
False River Academy
|
New Roads
|
Myrna Tuminello
|
|
Angelle King
|
Mount Carmel Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Jaime Carroll
|
|
Katie Wood
|
Mount Carmel Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Jaime Carroll
|
|
Whitney Romero
|
Our Lady of Fatima School
|
Lafayette
|
Jean Doucet
|
|
Claire Duggs
|
Our Lady of Fatima School
|
Lafayette
|
Jean Doucet
|
|
Olivia Gower
|
Our Lady of Fatima School
|
Lafayette
|
Jean Doucet
|
|
Lauren Gibson
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Yasmeen Magharehabed
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Allison Hoss
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Imogen Hoffman
|
Ursaline Academy
|
New Orleans
|
Katie Gremillion
|
|
Sydney Kethley
|
St. Mark's Cathedral School
|
Shreveport
|
John Cosey
|
|
Olivia Tidwell
|
individual entry
|
Lafayette
|
|
|
Level III
|
|
Maria Morris
|
Archbishop Hannan High School
|
Lafayette
|
Ashley Puntila
|
|
Brandon Keim
|
Archbishop Hannan High School
|
Lafayette
|
Ashley Puntila
|
|
Anthony Caronna
|
Archbishop Hannan High School
|
Lafayette
|
Ashley Puntila
|
|
Mike Hess
|
Archbishop Hannan High School
|
Lafayette
|
Ashley Puntila
|
|
Matthew Musso
|
Archbishop Hannan High School
|
Lafayette
|
Ashley Puntila
|
|
Angelica Gonzalez
|
Baton Rouge International School
|
Baton Rouge
|
Amanda Ford
|
|
John Tumbaco
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Eleanor Jurgensen
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Rebecca Aaron
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Sophie Lipman
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Sonja Daniels
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Monika Daniels
|
Bolton High School
|
Alexandria
|
Nancy Monroe
|
|
Abigail Bumgardner
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Debrah Guillot
|
|
Tyler Eddlemon
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Debrah Guillot
|
|
Cody Kennemer
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Debrah Guillot
|
|
Jin Lee
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Cathy Sledge
|
|
Valencia Richardson
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Cathy Sledge
|
|
Stormy Sanders
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Cathy Sledge
|
|
Cole Smith
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Cathy Sledge
|
|
Jordan Green
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Cathy Sledge
|
|
Jonathan Ratliff
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Kathy O'Neal
|
|
Rachel McClure
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Kathy O'Neal
|
|
Remi Locke
|
C. E. Byrd High School
|
Shreveport
|
Kathy O'Neal
|
|
Spencer Tindel
|
Captain Shreve High School
|
Shreveport
|
Maureen Barclay
|
|
Danielle Durr
|
Captain Shreve High School
|
Shreveport
|
Maureen Barclay
|
|
Chelsea Stelly
|
Carencro High School
|
Lafayette
|
Anna Marquardt
|
|
Kayla Howard
|
Carencro High School
|
Lafayette
|
Anna Marquardt
|
|
Quincy Walker
|
DeRidder High School
|
DeRidder
|
Melinda Shirley
|
|
Roy Eberlan
|
DeRidder High School
|
DeRidder
|
Melinda Shirley
|
|
DaMika Woodard
|
DeRidder High School
|
DeRidder
|
Melinda Shirley
|
|
Lea Trusty
|
Destrehan High School
|
Destrehan
|
Lisa Thompson
|
|
Hannah Wilson
|
Destrehan High School
|
Destrehan
|
Lisa Thompson
|
|
Morgan Baudoin
|
Hahnville High School
|
Boutte
|
Deborah Unger
|
|
Seth Champagne
|
Hahnville High School
|
Boutte
|
Deborah Unger
|
|
Daniel Levy
|
Hahnville High School
|
Boutte
|
Deborah Unger
|
|
Kathryn Prendergast
|
Hahnville High School
|
Boutte
|
Deborah Unger
|
|
Cassandra Morgan
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Samantha Barnes
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Megan Krewsky
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Nicole Thonn
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Madison Rankin
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Daniela Mustafa-Quintana
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Amber Lee
|
Northshore High School
|
Slidell
|
Catherine Tanguis
|
|
Hannah Moreau
|
Opelousas High School
|
Opelousas
|
Rodney Johnson
|
|
Asenath Babineaux
|
Opelousas High School
|
Opelousas
|
Rodney Johnson
|
|
Allyssa Mouton
|
Opelousas High School
|
Opelousas
|
Rodney Johnson
|
|
Jack Dubreuil
|
St. Paul's School
|
Covington
|
Brother Ray Bulliard
|
|
David Durand
|
St. Paul's School
|
Covington
|
Brother Ray Bulliard
|
|
Kyle Cleveland
|
St. Paul's School
|
Covington
|
Brother Ray Bulliard
|
|
Katelyn McCoy
|
St. Louis Catholic High School
|
Lake Charles
|
Holley Fontenot
|
|
Amy LeBleu
|
St. Louis Catholic High School
|
Lake Charles
|
Holley Fontenot
|
|
Caterina Cuccio
|
St. Louis Catholic High School
|
Lake Charles
|
Holley Fontenot
|
|
Autumn Cormier
|
St. Louis Catholic High School
|
Lake Charles
|
Holley Fontenot
|
|
Ainslie Hale
|
Zachary High School
|
Zachary
|
Brittany Perrie
|
|
Sean Guillory
|
individual entry
|
Lafayette
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2012
Contact:
Paulita Chartier
State Library of Louisiana
225.342.9713
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jacques Berry
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
225.342.8607
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Multitalented novelist, short story writer, playwright, columnist, translator and essayist John Biguenet has been named recipient of the prestigious Louisiana Writer Award for 2012. He is being honored by the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana for his extraordinary contributions to the state’s literary heritage exemplified by his body of work.
Nightime is the theme of the State Library of Louisiana’s 2012 Louisiana Summer Reading Program. Children, teen and adult programs each have a different slogan—the children’s summer reading slogan is Dream Big: READ; the teen slogan is Own the Night and the adult slogan is Between the Covers.
In 2011, 89,000 people participated in the summer reading program and Louisiana libraries offered 8,500 free programs with more than 253,000 patrons in attendance. Studies show that youths who read during the summer return to school in the fall at or above their spring reading levels.
The summer reading programs are part of the Collaborative Summer Library Programs, a national cooperative to encourage reading throughout the summer. Those registered with the State Library’s Talking Books and Braille Library can also participate. For more information on the summer reading program or other State Library programs, visit 
The Louisiana Library Association presented State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton with the Anthony H. Benoit Award at their 2012 conference in Shreveport. The award is presented annually to an LLA member in the middle of their career who has made outstanding contributions to librarianship.
