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March 22, 2006

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Announces Illinois Winners Of 2006 Letters About Literature Contest

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced the Illinois winners of the annual Letters About Literature contest presented by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores and sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book.

The Letters About Literature contest is a national reading and writing program for children and teenagers. Participants write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work changed their views of the world or themselves. Readers may select authors from any genre--fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic. The Illinois Center for the Book appointed judges who selected the top essayists in the state on each of three competition levels. This year's winners are:

• Level I, for children in grades 4 through 6, Annika Sundberg of Lake Zurich, who wrote her letter to Jerry Spinelli, author of Stargirl. Annika is in the sixth grade at Lake Zurich Middle School.
• Level II, for grades 7 and 8, Abigail Renner of Ashland, who wrote her letter to Ben Mikaelsen, author of Petey. Abigail is in the 8th grade at A-C Central Junior High School in Chandlerville.
• Level III, for grades 9 - 12, Heather Vogt of Sheridan, who wrote her letter to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings. Heather is a senior at Serena High School in Serena.

"I am delighted to congratulate these three talented young readers, who were among nearly 2,000 Illinois students who took part in this rewarding and innovative reading initiative," said White, who also serves as honorary chair of the Illinois Center for the Book. "Though only these three students will advance to national competition, all of the students who took part are winners because they are immersing themselves in the magic and joy of reading. I am confident their participation will help these young people develop a lifelong love of reading and learning."

The three winning students each receive a cash award from the Illinois Center for the Book, a $50 Target Gift card and a plaque. The three state level first place winners also advance for national competition, in which two national winners will be selected from each competition level. Target Stores will send the six national winners, two parents/guardians and one teacher to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Book Festival this fall. The national winners will read their winning letters during the festival. Each national winner also receives a $500 Target Gift card.

The Illinois Center for the Book (illinoiscenterforthebook.org), an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, is a not-for-profit organization promoting books, book arts, libraries and reading in Illinois. Established in 1985, the organization's mission is to celebrate the printed word and to create in Illinois an environment that promotes reading, the book arts and an appreciation of the state's rich literary heritage.

Target Stores, along with its parent company Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

Winning Letters