What book shaped you?

What book have you read that really made you think? Maybe it affected how you treat your friends or family. Or it taught you something or inspired you to do something different? 

Rising 5th and 6th graders are invited to join “The Book That Shaped Me” writing contest, hosted by the Library of Congress, in cooperation with local libraries.

Its easy to enter. If you are going to be in grade 5 or 6 in the fall, just write a one-page essay about the book that has made a personal impact on your life. Submit your essay in person to your local library by August 12. 

The program is a great compliment to the summer reading program hosted by many libraries each summer, including the Fauquier County Public Library. More about that coming soon…

Libraries from throughout Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland,  Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are participating. Prizes will be awarded and top winners will be invited to present their essays during a special presentation at the Library of Congress National Book Festival Sept. 21 and 22 on the National Mall.

"A Book That Shaped Me" launched in 2012. In its second year, the contest has expanded and now has over 270 participating libraries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

If you are looking for a great summer read - or the book that will shape you - check out these recommendations and resources. 

Contest details and entry forms are available at Fauquier County Public Library locations. To learn more, visit our website. More information is also available directly from the Library of Congress. 

Weekend Book Bargains

Don't miss the special spring sale this weekend at the Book Cellar when they take the bargains outside during the Warrenton Spring Festival, Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Book Cellar is located at the John Barton Payne Building, 2 Courthouse Square, Warrenton.

Other great deals throughout the month of May include a sale on fiction – buy one, get one of equal or lesser price for free. Other categories also on sale during May are: Murder/Mayhem and Presidential/Presidential Family.

With a wide selection of used books by popular authors in hardcover and paperback, movies on VHS and DVD, music CDs, The Book Cellar is a great place to stock up on books for vacation or summer reading!

All Book Cellar proceeds support library needs and help provide reading programs, cultural events and entertainment at the library for children, teens, and adults. Call (540) 439-1939 for more information or to volunteer at the Book Cellar.

Last but far from least

In this, the last of three entries about the winners of our Teen Poetry and Short Story Challenge, we are
pleased to share with you the entries of the three students who were awarded Third Place.

Sara Dunn, who earned Third Place in the Grades 9-12 category,  takes us far from Warrenton to Siberia, and its ice and snow.
Boom Town
Siberia is lovely this time of year.
A barren wasteland of ice sheets and frozen noses, a whispering and whipping winter wasteland.
But that's been done before.
How about the Urals?
Also frozen, but something new.
(click here for full text)

Blake Bogin, who tied for Third Place in the Grades 6-8 category, clearly illustrates her passion for riding:
Where I'm From 
I'm from riding all day, to feeding treats late at night,
from running to catch that loose horse that is galloping too fast.
I am from cleaning the stall, to bedding it down with fresh sawdust,
I'm from filling water buckets and cleaning endless bridles and saddles.
(Click here for full text)

Claire Sutliff, who also tied for Third-Place, provides a glimpse into the challenge of moving, making friends and the joys of friendship in her winning entry. 
Alone
Surrounded by people I love,
But can no longer see through my heart,
and are no longer trusted by me.
Alone.
(Click here for full text)

It is refreshing to see teenagers writing (perhaps with a keyboard and not a pen, but writing nonetheless) and to witness the talented evident in the 150+ entries we received for the Challenge. The question has already been asked, "When is the NEXT challenge?"  No date has been set, but stay tuned for details and how you can enter!

Until the 2014 Challenge, keep writing!

These teens weren't intimidated

As Jennifer Handford, one of the Teen Poetry and Short Story Challenge judges noted in her opening remarks, "Writing is a very personal pursuit and sharing our work with others can be scary." 

That intimidation didn't stop about 100 teen writers from throughout Fauquier County from entering the contest.

In this second of a three-part series, we share with you the Second-Place winners.  

Kathryn Long, author of the The Key that Led to Nowhere, was encouraged by a friend to enter the contest and only came up with her idea for the story a few days before the contest deadline. Clearly she writes well under pressure, winning Second Place in the Grades 9-12 Category. 

The Key that Led to Nowhere

It was a hot May afternoon, and Rose Siner plopped her backpack down on the couch in her living room. She had just received a package from her long-lost Uncle Ervin. Inside was a key, a map, and a note saying "Guard these with your life." 

(Click here for the full text) 

In the Grades 6-8 Category, Cameron Smith won Second Place. His entry was one each member of the audience (at least those of use over 13) could identify with, as it extolled on the realities of, as the name indicates, being thirteen and the many challenges, frustrations and joys that come with it. 

Being Thirteen

is about becoming a new person, 

and trying to find yourself in a sea of people, 

knowing that every action you take and every word you speak 

can make you popular or send your status into oblivion. 

(Click here for the full text)

Congratulations to Kathryn and Cameron.

Meet the winners

The Fauquier County Public Library ended National Poetry month with the announcement of the winners in the first Annual Teen Poetry and Short Story Challenge.  

The number of entrants and the strong turnout by contestants, friends, teachers, grandparents and others at the award ceremony on April 30th were clear indicators that the contest was a hit with local teens. 

We are pleased to share the entries of the First-, Second- and Third-Place winners, in a three-part series. Read on to learn a little about each contestant and enjoy their winning submissions. 

Sisters Rachel and Jewel Potter took top honors, as did Jenna Devanney, who tied with Jewel Potter for First Place Grades 6-8 category. 

It's hard to say if certain traits run in a family, but it certainly appears that for the Potter family, a love for writing does.  

Rachel, who writes under the pen name R.E. Potter, aspires to be a published author. The following is an excerpt from her winning entry in the Grades 9-12 category: 

To Stella

Some are Suns, and some are Moons, 

And some of us are Stars; 

And some of us shine brightly

In this universe of ours; 

The greatest ones shine bright and clear

Outshining all the rest

But is it brilliance and size

That make the best men best? 

(Click here for full text) 

Jewel Potter, like her elder sister, also aspires to be an author. She tied for first-place in the Grades 6-8 category. 

Shadow on the Wall 

In the evening, early evening, 

As the light began to die, 

As the sun was downwards creeping, 

Downwards, downwards from the sky, 

Then I saw a phantom near me

As the light began to fall, 

A spectre, silent and unmoving, 

Just a shadow on the wall. 

(Click here for full text) 

Jenna Devanney, who was one of two first-place winners in the Grades 6-8 category, seems to gather inspiration from animals and nature; she was out riding her horse when she received the call that she had won. 

Call of the Wild

Stop for just a moment and listen. 

Listen to the wind in the leaves. 

The birdsongs. 

The rushing water. 

Hear it calling you. 

(Click here for full text) 

More about the other winners coming soon and congratulations to all! 

Pajama Story Time planned for Children's Book Week

Children's Book Week (May 13-19) is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. It was first celebrated in 1919, making it the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country.

Libraries, schools, bookstores and homes celebrate National Book Week with special events.  

What does the Fauquier County Public Library have planned?  Pajama Story Time!

Wear your pajamas to this special story time.  Children will enjoy listening to classic read alouds and modern favorites. Each story time will include a snack and end with a fun craft!

Schedule is as follows: 

John Marshall Library6:30 pm, Monday, May 13

Warrenton Library6:00 pm, Tuesday, May 14 

Bealeton Library
10:30 am, Thursday, May 16

No registration required – stop by to join the fun! 

Check out other events going on at the library here. 

And the winners are...

Congratulations to the winners of the Fauquier County Public Library's First Annual Teen Poetry and Short Story Challenge.

Winners were chosen from over 150 entries and evaluated by a 3-judge panel comprised of talented local writers Jennifer Handford, Susan McCorkindale and Aimee O'Grady.

Winners read their works for an audience of parents, grandparents, teachers, friends and other guests at an award ceremony Tuesday April 30.

2013 Teen Poetry and Short Story Challenge Contestants

Winners are: 

Grades 9-12
1st Place:
R.E. Potter -  Stella
2nd Place:
Kathryn Long - TheKey that Led to Nowhere
3rd Place:
Sara Dunn - Boom Town

Grades 6-8

1st Place: (tie)
Jewel Potter - Shadow on the Wall
Jenna Devanney - Callof the Wild

2nd Place:
Cameron Smith - Being Thirteen

3rd Place: (tie)
Claire Sutliff - Alone
Blake Bogin - Where I'm From 

In her opening remarks, judge Jennifer Handford noted “Writing is a very personal pursuit and sharing our work with others can be scary.  Contests can be helpful to get beyond this fear.  Sometimes it's easier to be judged by strangers rather than people we know.  Entering contests is a good way to see if we're on the right track."

In addition, 15 students received Honorable Mention awards.  

• Sana Ahmed
• Blake Bogin
• Elise Clonts
• Sarah Delaney
• Jenna Devanney
• Sara Dunn
• Lizzie Ellis
• Madeline Fanta   
• Anthony Frank
• Anna Hiner
• Cheyenne Hotchkiss
• Cory Kleinman
• Alexis Matthews-Smith
• R.E. Potter
• Claire Shifflett   

The level of participation clearly indicates that teen writers abound within Fauquier County. Teen writers are encouraged to participate in Fauquier County Public Library's Teen Writing Group, which meets at the John Marshall Library and Warrenton Library monthly.

Congratulations to the winners!