The Maryland Center for the Book at the Howard County library, the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and Weekly Reader Corp. are sponsoring a contest, "1999 Letters About Literature," in which pupils write a letter to an author -- living or dead -- explaining how the author's book changed their view of the world.

Winners at the national level will receive $1,000 savings bonds. First-place winners in Maryland will receive $100 awards.

Entries are divided into Level I, for pupils in grades four through seven, and Level II for grades eight through 12.

The deadline for the contest is Dec. 18.

An entry form may be obtained by calling the center in Columbia at 410-313-7750, or online at www.howa.lib.md.us.

Pub Date: 11/22/98

zTC