Entries being taken for national contest on letter-writing
Applications are being accepted for the 2001 Letters About Literature Contest, in which pupils in grades four to 12 can win up to $500 for letters to an author, living or dead, about how a book changed their view of the world and themselves.
The contest is sponsored by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, the Weekly Reader Corp., and locally by the Maryland Center for the Book at Howard County Library. Winners at the national level will receive $500, and first-place winners in Maryland will receive $100. Applications are available through the Howard County Library Web site, www. howa.lib.md.us, or by calling 410-313-7750.
All entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1.
Olympic swimmer among Teen Read Week speakers
BALTIMORE - The Institute of Notre Dame will sponsor a series of discussions this week in which local women talk with students about a favorite book, poem or author as part of the American Library Association's Teen Read Week activities.
Opening ceremonies tomorrow feature a panel that includes Dr. Carla Hayden, director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and Anita Nall, 1992 Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist in swimming. Small group sessions later in the week include a talk by Kate Walsh Little, a graduate of the school who conducts after-school reading and tutoring classes at Viva House in Southwest Baltimore.
Teen Read Week is intended to encourage reading for enjoyment among teen-agers.
Johnnycake principal honored by reading group
CATONSVILLE - Jean Brewster, principal of Johnnycake Elementary School, has received the annual Literacy Award from the Baltimore County Council of the International Reading Association, given each year to a local person who demonstrates leadership in literacy education.
In announcing the award, the group cited a family literacy program at Johnnycake and Brewster's strong support for teachers and staff as evidence of her "determination and devotion to literacy."
The International Reading Association is a nonpartisan group of literacy advocates, including teachers and reading specialists, with a strong focus on public school reading instruction.
Ellicott Mills pupils take part in Reading Olympics
ELLICOTT CITY - Ellicott Mills Middle School pupils are taking part in a six-month Reading Olympics book challenge, in which classes compete to read the most books through Dr. Seuss' birthday in March.
In each class, pupils are given a card with space to record up to 10 books, said Kelli Byle, school reading specialist. The cards are collected each week, and every Friday pupils will receive statistical updates on each class' progress in the contest. The school's PTA will sponsor a pizza party for grade-level winners.
