Events

An Evening with Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan, authors of Watch Us Rise

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7-8 p.m, live via Zoom

Ellen Hagan and Renee Watson are authors of the book Watch Us Rise. This year, IPPL has adopted the theme of “Be the change”. Watch Us Rise, is a work that embodies that sentiment. It is a work that encourages young people to use their voices to make a difference. This is why they were chosen as visiting authors this year for Write-On!

Author workshop for Write-On Teen Winners

Friday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m.

The winners of Write-On participate in a workshop with Renee Watson and Ellen Hagen. 

An evening with Leah Henderson, author of The Magic in Changing Your Stars

Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., live via Zoom
Leah Henderson is the author of the middle-grade novels The Magic in Changing Your Stars and One Shadow on the Wall, a Children’s Africana Book Award notable, and a Bank Street Best Book. Her picture books include Mamie on the Mound, and the forthcoming Together We March, and A Day For Rememberin’. Because many of the books she read as a child did not resemble the world she saw, her earliest stories came from a need to finish the tales and follow the real-life achievements and journeys of people and places she saw and learned about on her travels that were often overlooked. Through seeing the world, Leah has witnessed the richness that can be found within everyone’s individual story. That is why writing the world she sees is so vitally important to her.

Rules

About Write-On 

Write-On is a teen writing competition is open to students in grades 7-12. It's a great way to have fun to share your voice, and to win fantastic prizes! Prizes are $100, $75, and $50 for first, second, and third respectively. The writing workshop with visiting authors is open to competition winners only, but all community members are invited to attend the author's visit via Zoom.

About the Writing Competition

First, second, and third place winners in each category will be announced during "An Evening with Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan, authors of Watch Us Rise.”

Submission Guidelines

• Entries are accepted from Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. - Sunday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m.
• Original short stories must be 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry and song lyrics may be any length. All words must be your own.
• Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
• Entries must be typed, double spaced, and in a 12 point font.
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation will count.
• Please submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.

Find out more

Stop by the Kids & Teens Ask Us Desk or contact Michelle Dukes, Teen Librarian, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 630/887-8020.

About the Gift of Carl

Write-On is generously sponsored by the Gift of Carl Foundation, which is named in memory of Carl Vuillaume. Carl was a lover of reading, writing, music, and the outdoors, living by the motto “carpe diem.” Tragically, Carl drowned while vacationing with his family in 2005 at the age of 16. His family received donations and wanted to do something positive with the money—the Gift of Carl Foundation was born. His family approached the library about doing something that would have a lasting impact and honor Carl’s love for the arts and outdoors.

Write-On Jr.

About Write-On Junior

Write-On Junior writing competition is open to students in grades 4-6. It's a great way to have fun, to share your voice, and to win fantastic prizes! Prizes are $100, $75, and $50 for first, second, and third respectively. All community members are invited to attend the author's visit via Zoom.

Writing Events

An evening with Leah Henderson, author of The Magic in Changing Your Stars.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., live via Zoom
Leah Henderson is the author of the middle-grade novels The Magic in Changing Your Stars and One Shadow on the Wall, a Children’s Africana Book Award notable, and a Bank Street Best Book. Her picture books include Mamie on the Mound, and the forthcoming Together We March, and A Day For Rememberin’. Because many of the books she read as a child did not resemble the world she saw, her earliest stories came from a need to finish the tales and follow the real-life achievements and journeys of people and places she saw and learned about on her travels that were often overlooked. Through seeing the world, Leah has witnessed the richness that can be found within everyone’s individual story. That is why writing the world she sees is so vitally important to her.

About the Writing Competition

First, second, and third place winners in each category will be announced during "An Evening with Leah Henderson," author of her newly published star reviewed middle-grade novel, The Magic in Changing Your Stars. As well as one of the authors in the teen anthology, Black Enough, and many other titles.

Submission Guidelines

• Entries are accepted from Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. - Sunday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m.
• Original short stories must be 500-2,000 words. Poetry may be any length and style. All words must be your own.
• Entrants may enter up to three submissions in each category.
• Entries must be typed, double spaced, and in a 12-point font.
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation will count.
• Please submit online entries as a Word (.docx) file.

Find out more

Stop by the Kids & Teens Ask Us Desk or contact Monica Dzierzbicki, Mid-Kid Librarian, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 630/887-1871.

Last year's winners

Poetry

Short Story

 Hope