Calling All Student writers - Let's Write a book Together!
Title: "In Our Own Voices"
Who can participate?
The Young Writers Program is open to all District 181 3rd - 8th grade students. Any student who wishes to participate can do so.
How do we sign up?
Parents should use the registration button below to sign up all children in their family who want to participate. Questions? Please contact Meg Cooper, mcooper@d181foundation.org.
What should students write about?
Students can write about any topic they wish that is appropriate for a school publication.
Students can write a new piece specifically for the book or they can submit something they have already written.
What type of writing can be submitted?
Any type! Write a descriptive paragraph, describe an experience, write an opinion piece, compose a poem, create a short story, develop a graphic story or comic, etc.
No Minimum Length Requirement. Maximum Length: 1000 words
Most submissions are significantly shorter than the maximum word count.
New this year—awards for best creative writing, best poem, best informational piece, and best persuasive essay for each grade level.
Important Dates
Registration Closes
February 9, 2024
Written Work Due
February 19, 2024
Young Writers Night
April 11, 2024, 6:30pm
at HMS
Young Writers Night
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 6:30pm at HMS
Doors Open at 6pm. Young Writers and their families are invited to this fun evening celebrating writers and writing. That night students can:
- Pick up their copy of the finished book.
- Listen to an author describe their writing experience
- Engage in fun learning sessions about a variety of topics in writing
- Participate in the Open Mic Coffeehouse to share their work with a larger audience (if they wish!)
Meet Kate Hannigan
Young Writers Night Keynote Speaker
Kate Hannigan writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers. Her graphic novel THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE: RISING FROM THE ASHES was a 2023 Illinois Bluestem Award nominee, and her latest WORLD WAR II: FIGHT ON THE HOME FRONT was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.
Kate's middle-grade historical fantasy series, CAPE, MASK, and BOOTS also features graphic novel elements. She also writes nonfiction picture books that explore the lives of fascinating people from history, including the inventor of the dishwashing machine, the inventor of video gaming, and one of Kate's heroes from her own childhood, the daredevil journalist Nellie Bly.
Visit Kate online at KateHannigan.com.
The Young writers Experience
Tips for a Successful Experience
- After registering, students should submit their finished pieces. Use the button in this section to upload writing.
- Please create a title for your work and include it at the top of the document.
- If a student needs help getting started, please contact us and we can connect you with a mentor.
- If a student wishes to turn in something that was already completed in school this year and is not sure what to choose, his or her classroom teacher can help.
- The writing will be compiled into a bound book which every writer will receive.
- Student writers and their families are invited to Young Writers Night on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at HMS.
- Students do not need to be available for Young Writers Night to participate in the book. However, students who do not participate in the book may not attend Young Writers Night.
Cover art Contest
A special note of thanks
