July 26, 2004 Young Readers Invited to Enter Center for the Book's 2004-2005 National "Letters About Literature" Program

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores, invites readers in grades 4 through 12 to enter "Letters About Literature," its popular national reading and writing program for children and young adults. The deadline for entries for the 2004-2005 competition is Dec. 4, 2004. To obtain the required entry coupon, view sample entries and download related lesson plans, visit the "Letters About Literature" Web site at www.loc.gov/letters or call the center at (202) 707-5221.

To enter "Letters About Literature," young readers must write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work changed their view of the world or of themselves. Readers can select authors from any genre: fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or historical.

"Letters About Literature" has three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4 through 6, Level II for grades 7 and 8 and Level III for grades 9 through 12.

More than 100 judges across the country will select the state winners at each competition level. Affiliated state centers for the book in 41 states and the District of Columbia participate by selecting judges, hosting state awards ceremonies or bith.

State winners advance to the national competition and receive cash prizes plus a $50 gift card from Target Stores. The six national winners will receive a $500 gift card from Target Stores. Target Stores will also sponsor travel to the 2005 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., for the winners, their families and teachers.

More than 40,000 students participated in the 2003-2004 "Letters About Literature" project, which also was sponsored by Target Stores. The six national winners will read their letters and be honored on October 9, 2004, at the 2004 National Book Festival in Washington.

Since opening its first store in 1962, Target Stores and its parent company, Target Corp., have donated generously to local communities through grants and special programs.

"Letters About Literature," now in its second decade, is managed by author, educator and Center for the Book consultant Catherine A. Gourley, the national "Letters About Literature" project director.

The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to use the Library of Congress' resources to stimulate public interest in books and reading. For information about the center and the activities of its affiliates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., visit the center's Web site at www.loc.gov/cfbook.