Decorah Middle School students win Iowa letter-writing competition

Decorah Middle School seventh graders have won first and second places in the Iowa Letters About Literature writing competition sponsored by the Iowa Center for the Book, an affiliate of the national Library of Congress.  Jack Sovern won first place in the Level II competition for grades 7-8 for his letter written to Mark Kurlansky, author of The Story of Salt. Jack is the son of Shannon Horton and Eric Sovern.  Sara Johanningmeier won second place in the Level II competition for her letter written to Shel Silverstein, author of Everything On It. Sara is the daughter of Kerri and Scott Johanningmeier.   

To enter the Letters About Literature competition, students in grades 4-12 write a letter to an author explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking.  Students respond to the work they have read by exploring the personal relationship between themselves, the author, and the book's characters or themes.

Statewide, students in grades 4-12 this year wrote nearly 600 letters which were read by authors, librarians, and teachers in multiple rounds of judging.

The recognition ceremony this year was an online format on May 1 with State Librarian Michael Scott giving an address recognizing the winning letters.

Sara Johanningmeier won second place in the Level II competition.

Jack Sovern won first place in the Level II competition.