Embedded Files
Warning: Don't enter any contest with an "entry fee" of any sort,
and don't purchase anything if you are told you've won. Good luck!
This annual contest is unique in that it focuses on kids working collaboratively to create a piece of illustrated work in the form of a children’s book. The 21-29 page book can be fiction or non-fiction and must be created by a group of three or more students.
Not only does this writing contest help kids learn to work together, but it also teaches them about formatting manuscripts for children’s books, as submissions must be formatted according to the guidelines. The winning book is published by Scholastic and sold at Scholastc Book Fairs across the nation.
Sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the annual Letters About Literature is an interesting competition in that it combines both reading and writing. Students must write an essay (in the form of a letter) describing how a certain book or author had a profound effect on their outlook on life.
Students are grouped by age into three different levels, all of which are judged at both a state and national level. Entries are judged on the merits of composition (grammar, organization and language skills); content (how well the theme has been addressed) and voice. National winners receive a monetary or gift card prize as well as sizeable “LAL Reading Promotion” grant in their name for the local school district.
This prestigious contest was begun in 1923 and has had such notable people as Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford, Joyce Carol Oates and Truman Capote amongst its winners.
Writers in grades 7 through 12 may submit work in one or more of the following categories:
Dramatic Script, Flash Fiction, Humor, Journalism, Personal Essay, Persuasive Writing, Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Short Story and Novel Writing.
Entries are judged both regionally and nationally--the highest level regional work is submitted for national consideration. National level winners are published in anthologies and Scholastic publications.
This national, nonfiction writing contest is sponsored by the Association of Educational Publishers (and Weekly Reader) and is split into two age categories: grades 3--8 and grades 9-12. Kids can submit memoirs, essays or news stories between 500 and 2,500 words or submit original print or online student publication for consideration. Only five winners are chosen, each of whom will get a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C. (and one for a parent or teacher-sponsor) to attend the award ceremony, as well as a SMART board, plaque and check for their school.
Though technically not a contest, Stone Soup magazine publishes stories (2500 words or shorter), poetry and book reviews by kids 13 and younger. Not all submissions will be published and kids are encouraged to read the Stone Soup archives to get a sense of what type of writing the editors are looking for. The great thing about Stone Soup is that kids can submit as often as they want, regardless of previous rejection or acceptance for publication.
Like Stone Soup, Creative Kids magazine is not a contest,but a publication written for kids by kids. Kids can submit for consideration everything from stories and songs to editorials and plays. The magazine is published quarterly and submitted work is read not only by editors, but also by an advisory a board comprised of students between the ages of 8 and 16 years old.
from http://kidsactivities.about.com/od/ReadingandWriting/tp/Writing-Contests-For-Kids.htm
A writing contest for kids 8-12 (cash prizes)
School, Band and Orchestra Essay Contest
You could win your share of $20,000 in awards…Including matching music products for your school music program!
WRITING ABOUT FAMILY:
The Fire Escape's Teen Writing Contest (http://www.mitaliperkins.com/ )
This contest is sponsored by Fire Escape, a website by fiction author Mitali Perkins (Monsoon Summer) and aimed at giving kids "living between two cultures" a place to "chat'. The contest is open to teens who were born outside the US or whose parents were, but who live in the US now. The contests asks them to write about their experiences "the joys and struggles of growing up between two cultures" either in poem or short fiction form. There's also a contest for writing reviews of books covering the website's theme of immigrant kids. See the website for more details.
Grannie Annie Writing Contest (http://www.booksfromtheheart.com/grannieannie/ )
Sponsored by One-of-A-Kind-Kids and Thumbprint books, this contest offers kids in two different middle school brackets to submit a story about a past generation of their families, 250-500 words long. A parent must sign a permission slip. Selected winners will be published Grannie Annie Vol. 1, a collection of these types of stories. See website for complete details.
WRITING FOR MATH AND SCIENCE FANS:
Math Cats Writing Contest (http://www.mathcats.com/contest.html)
This contest, sponsored by a math site for kids, asks kids to consider a math-related writing theme each year. Entries can be stories, journal entries or other creative writing pieces. Winners get Math Cat t-shirts and certificates of achievement plus publication on the website. The sitemaster will also make a charitable donation of cash in the winner's name to the an organization looking to cure a rare bone disease which one site member has. See the site for complete details.
Neuroscience Writing Contest for Kids (http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/writing6.html)
Don't let the name confuse you, this contest, sponsored by the University of Washington isn't asking kids to write a doctoral thesis. Instead, kids in three age brackets to write fun poems, limericks or haiku (different in each age bracket) about the brain and its function. Winners get brain-related books and a chance to be on the "Neuroscience for Kids" website. Contest deadline is Feb. 1st.
FOR POETS
Dan Sullivan Memorial Poetry Contest (http://www.wcdr.org/dansullivanrules.html)
This contest, set up in memory of a NH poet, is open to kids in two age brackets (12 and under, 13 thru under 18) and asks them to submit poems on any subject. Winners receive cash and publication in Word Weaver Magazine. There is no entry fee for kids. See website for more details.
Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest (http://www.weeklyreader.com/teens/read/bowlers_poetry_contest.asp)
This contest, sponsored at Weekly Reader, gives students grades 6-12 a chance to win money, a medal, and publication in print and online for their poetry. See website for complete application and details.
Page updated
Report abuse