Story Table Essay Contest
In Planet Word’s Schwarzman Family Library, books placed on the interactive Story Table come to life with custom animations and narration. Many of the books feature audio interviews from someone with a deep knowledge of and personal connection to the book. Could that be you?
Planet Word is working to expand our collection of books and is seeking youth input and representation through our second youth essay contest!
Your Voice at Planet Word
Planet Word would like to hear from the young people of the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia): Which new book should we add to the magical Library and why? The books featured in the two winning essays will be added to the Library’s Story Table interactive, and winning essay writers will be invited to record the audio interview that forms the basis of the interactive experience. Winners’ choices and voices will be a permanent part of the exhibit at Planet Word, one of Washington, D.C.’s most exciting museums!
Essayists are asked to answer these questions:
- What often overlooked book has had an impact on your life?
- Why is that book important to you, and why should more people read it?
Planet Word will accept essays between March 12 and April 21, 2025. Winners will be announced and notified by early June 2025. Read the full announcement for contest rules, procedures, and selection process. The submission form is located at the bottom of this webpage. Questions? Contact Senior Manager of Curatorial Affairs Jen Giambrone at [email protected].
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Student Essay Contest Updates
Additional Information
- Planet Word is accepting essays from young people in the DMV in two age-group categories: students in grades 5–8 and 9–12. Several finalists and one winner will be chosen from each age group.
- Successful essays will reflect the boundless power of words and reading in the lives of young people, reveal heartfelt representation of the impact of their chosen book, and demonstrate high levels of writing skill.
- Essayists are strongly encouraged to review the list of books and poems already featured in Planet Word’s Library as the winning essays must advocate for a book/author not already featured. Essayists are additionally encouraged to focus on books that are often overlooked and not commonly taught in schools. The books must be professionally published in English.
- Essays must be 500 words or less in length, be original student work, and pass a plagiarism test. Students must verify that they have not used ChatGPT or another AI-powered chatbot in writing their essays.
- Contact Senior Manager of Curatorial Affairs Jen Giambrone ([email protected]) with essay contest questions.
Planet Word will accept essays from students residing in or attending school in the DMV. DMV is defined as D.C., the state of Maryland, and the state of Virginia.- We will be raffling off three $100 gift cards to Bookshop.org to teachers whose students participate in the contest. The teacher will be entered one time for each student who includes the teacher’s name and email address with their essay submission.
- An internal Planet Word team will select finalist essays from each grade-based category (grades 5–8 and 9–12). A special guest judge will select one winner from each age group.
- Finalists’ essays will be featured on Planet Word’s website. Finalists may be invited to present at a public program at Planet Word.
- Each of the two winning books will be added to the Story Table interactive in Planet Word’s Schwarzman Family Library. The winners will be invited to participate in the recording process for the audiovisual presentation associated with their book and become a permanent part of the Library exhibit.
- Each winner will receive a $250 gift card to Bookshop.org to build their personal libraries.
- Winners may be invited to participate in a public program at Planet Word.
- Participants must submit their essay through the form on Planet Word’s website.
- Participants must upload the original content of their essay in a .doc or .docx file via the submission form.
- Participants must upload the contest consent form signed by themselves and their parent or legal guardian (if under the age of 18) in a .pdf file via the submission form.
Submission Form
Submit your essay
Submissions will open March 12, 2025.