On Thursday, May 19, the Library hosted a much-anticipated affair honoring all of the children and teens who participated in the Young Writers Awards. This year the Library received over 150 submissions. The judges were so impressed with the quality of writing that they awarded the most significant number of prizes in the fourteen years of this annual contest.

Trustee and Children’s Library Committee chair Susan L. Robbins welcomed everyone and warmly thanked Jeanette Sarkisian Wagner for her continued underwriting of this event. Robbins also memorialized the passing of Dr. Paul A. Wagner this past December.

Author Robert Quackenbush, the elementary age prose judge, invited his impressive group of winners and honorable mention recipients individually to the podium to say a few words about what inspired their pieces and also mention some of their favorite writers. 

These prompts were supported and encouraged by the other judges, poet Dave Johnson and writer Carol Weston, as all the remaining junior authors and poets continued to graciously receive their certificates and prizes. Some of the inspirations revealed ranged from sisters to grandmothers, and revolutions, both French and American, as well as the Library itself! The young writers frequently mentioned J.K. Rowling as a favorite author, alongside Laura Ingalls Wilder, Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and even Cormac McCarthy.

Head of the Children’s Library Randi Levy presented the high school awards on behalf of judge Edra Ziesk. Levy then acknowledged and congratulated all the competition participants before Head Librarian Carolyn Waters shared closing remarks about the importance of this annual event to the Library. 

Following the speeches and presentation, the happy families continued to enjoy the rest of the evening with refreshments and conversation in the Members’ Room. We invite you to peruse this year’s winning entries. After reading over these wonderful pieces, you may find a new favorite young writer of your own.