Notes to Maple Leaf Judges

First of all, we want to thank each and every one of you for the time you are offering to our 5th and 6th grade Maple Leaf writers. The Maple Leaf Book Writing Project relies on the skill and the generous donation of time from the judges to make this project work.

This year, thirty six students completed the Maple Leaf challenge! This is a record number, a bumper crop of stories. And Maple Leaf is a challenging project. There are three deadlines before the final submission of their story, and each student story is edited, for each submission, by local authors Michael Daley and Jessie Haas as well as by enrichment teachers Esther Behling, at Oak Grove and Academy Schools, and Dianne Clouet at Green Street School. It's a lot of feedback. And we can personally attest to the fact that each story has gone through many changes and transformations. In the process, each young author has had the opportunity to grow their craft.

So, on to the mechanics of the judging. All judges should have received a scoring sheet for each student story they are judging, and a list of which student stories they are reading. Please read and score each story, withholding scores on illustration and book design categories. Each judge will finish scoring those categories when we meet as a group and you can view and hold each actual book.

There will be two rounds for judging. In the first round the eight semifinalists are chosen, and in the second round, first, second, and third place winning stories are chosen, as well as best illustrations.

On May 8th the students all meet for the Maple Leaf Celebration. Prizes and awards are announced, t-shirts are distributed, cake is eaten with delight, and pride at finishing a serious challenge is shared by students. Judges are welcome!

In early June there are plans for another evening public book reading at Brooks Memorial Library, when student authors will read aloud an excerpt of their story to an audience. There will also be a question and answer session between authors and audience members about the process of creating the stories. You are most welcome to attend!