PORTLAND – The Maine Humanities Council announced that for the fourth year it is the Maine sponsor in a national student essay contest, “Letters About Literature.”

The contest is open to grades four through 12, and invites participants to write a short letter to an author – living or dead – explaining how that author’s book changed their way of viewing the world and themselves. Young readers can select authors from any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic.

The letters offer a chance for young readers to reflect on the work of their favorite authors and think about why reading their work was such an engaging experience. Creativity is encouraged.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target stores and the Weekly Reader Corp., publisher of children’s classroom periodicals, sponsor this national reading-writing contest.

“Letters About Literature” is free and open to all young readers. Entries can be made through schools or by individuals; postmark deadline is Dec. 6. For more information and to obtain the required entry coupon, tips for writers and teacher guides, visit the Maine Humanities Council Web site at www.mainehumanities.org, or call the Council at (866) MEREADER.