Letters About Literature 2013

The Letters About Literature awards ceremony took place on Friday, May 3 in the rotunda of the Round House in Santa Fe.  Department of Cultural Affairs Deputy Secretary, Mike Dellelo welcomed everyone and awards were then presented to the three New Mexico state champions who read their letters aloud, the three second place winners, the third place winner, and the honorable mention letter writers.

Arielle Moosman, who has been a New Mexico State Library Bookmobile-West patron since she was a small child and is now a sixth grade student at Ramah Mid/High School, is the Level 1 (grades 4-6) champion.  Arielle wrote her letter to Dr. Seuss about his book The Lorax.

Stella Sandel, a seventh grade student at Mesa View Middle School in Farmington, is the Level 2 (grades 7-8) champion.  Stella wrote her letter to Judy Blume about her book Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret. 

Sarah Ecton, a tenth grade student at Estancia Valley Classical Academy in Moriarty, is the Level 3 (grades 9-10) champion.  Sarah wrote her letter to Nora Baskin about her book Almost Home. 

Each of the state champions received a certificate acknowledging their achievement and $125 from the State Library. The second and third place winners, as well as the honorable mention letter writers received a certificate of accomplishment. All sixteen also received a book from the University of New Mexico Press.  The three New Mexico champions' letters were sent to the Library of Congress for the national competition.  The winners of the national competition will be announced in early May. 

There were 270 New Mexico students who entered the 2013 contest. Of those 270 entries sent to the Library of Congress, 114 advanced to the initial judging round at the Library of Congress.  From those 114, there were 89 semifinalists who then advanced to state judging. From the 89 New Mexico semifinalists, the state judges selected three champions, three second place winners, a third place winner, and nine honorable mention letters writers. All of the New Mexico state semifinalists have been sent a certificate in the mail.

Our special thanks to the New Mexico judges:

This is the first year New Mexico State Library has sponsored the competition.

For more information about New Mexico’s Letters About Literature contest, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   or call Lori Thornton at 505-476-9717.

Thank you to all the students, teachers, librarians, and families who participated in New Mexico's Letters About Literature program. Keep reading and writing!