The Maine Humanities Council is sponsoring an essay contest entitled, “Letters About Literature.” This free annual contest is open to all students in grades 4-12.

Students are invited to write a short letter to an author, either living or dead, explaining how that author’s book changed their way of viewing the world and themselves. The deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 8.

Applications, samples of winning letters and tips and resources for teachers are all available online at www.mainehumanities.org, or by contacting the Maine Humanities Council at 773-5051.

Last year, more than 700 students from every part of Maine participated in “Letters About Literature.”

“Letters About Literature” offers young readers the opportunity to reflect on a work by their favorite author and think about why reading the book excited, surprised or inspired them, and then express those thoughts and feelings in a letter.

A panel of distinguished Maine educators and community leaders, including Karen Baldacci, Maine’s first lady, will review the Maine semifinalists and select the winners in early spring.

First-place winners in each category receive a cash award of $100, plus a $50 Target gift card. Second-place winners receive gift certificates for book purchases. First-place winners automatically advance to the national competition, where two students from each level will be awarded a $500 Target gift card and get a paid trip to the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.