For Children

Young Writers Awards

The Young Writers Awards (YWA) honor excellent writing by young members of the Library community. A panel of notable authors judge each year's entries. The competition is open to children and grandchildren of Library members, as well as member schools and the more than 100 schools that participate in the Project Cicero Annual Book Drive.

We accept illustrated entries, but the judging will be based on literary merit only. If you are an artist as well as a writer, we invite you to consider entering our annual Young Cartoonists Awards.

The 22nd Annual Young Writers Awards competition deadline is April 2, 2024.

Competition Guidelines and Entry Instructions

Online Entry Form (Required)

We invite you to read the 2023 Young Writers Awards winning and honorable mention entries.  


Young Writers Award Winners by Year

All winners in alphabetical order


The Young Writers Awards are generously supported by Jeanette Sarkisian Wagner.