We invite all South Carolina students in grades 3rd through 12th to write a poem using the theme: "What Inspires You?"
Author Pat Mora is this year's featured guest. She will join us for a ceremony in late spring 2021, to celebrate the 2020 and 2021, contest winners. Pat Mora's books remind us that inspiration is around us if we listen and notice: Mothers, Grandmothers, Families, the Earth, and our experiences. In her poem "Writing Secrets" (BOOKJOY, WORDJOY), she writes, "let yourself/doodle, daydream, imagine." She reminds us that there's no one like you. What (or who) has been an important experience or influence?
Mora, an award-winning author of books for adults, teens, and children, is a literacy advocate and a popular presenter on creativity, inclusivity, and bookjoy. A literacy advocate excited about sharing what she calls "bookjoy," Pat founded Children's Day, Book Day, in Spanish, El día de los niños, El día de los libros, "Día." Pat and her partners, including the American Library Association and First Book nationally, promote this year-long initiative of creatively linking all children and families to books and establishing annual April Children's Day, Book Day celebrations. On April 30, 2021, Día will celebrate its 25th Anniversary!
Poems must be original work not previously published. Entries are submitted electronically and may be submitted in English, bilingual Spanish-English, or transcribed from those who have a visual disability.
We will notify winners by email and announce their names on our website and social media. They will be invited to the awards ceremony to share their poem and receive prizes. The contest deadline is Monday, February 15, 2021.
