2024 St. Perpetua Young Authors Program Guidelines

Student Checklist 

You must fill out this form and submit it with your completed Young Author book.

What is the Young Author's Writing Program?

Young Author's is a writing competition held at St. Perpetua catholic school. All students are encouraged to participate.  Students participate by writing an original book with original artwork.  Our school will review all books submitted and select the best writing to be recognized by our school community.  

What are the types of books that I can write?

Books can be submitted in any of the following categories:

1. (Auto)Biography.  A true life story written about self, a family member, a friend, or a pet.
2. Children's Picture Book.  These books have a large layout with illustrations taking up the entire page and text layered on top of the illustrations.  Example, "Good Night Moon".
3. Graphic Novel / Comic Book.  Written and illustrated in the comic-book style where the story is told via picture cells/panels with word/thought bubbles.
4. How-to factual book.  Illustrated instructions how-to do something such as care for a pet, tie shoes, cook, or make a craft.
5. Poetry.  A collection of poems or a novel written in poetic free verse.
6. Religious-theme.  A spiritual book can be about faith, prayer, sacraments, saints, bible stories, or nature.
7. Short story.  A made-up, fiction story.
8. Class Books.  Created by an entire class and submitted by the teacher.

What are the rules I need to know?

• No special binding required.  Pages stapled together are allowed.
• All students who write and illustrate a book must attend St. Perpetua School. 
• One to three students may write and illustrate a book.  No more than three (3) students may submit a book together.  Students may be in any grade, as long as they both attend St. Perpetua School.
• ALL work must be original.  Students must do original writing and illustration.  Images and writing copied from the internet is not allowed. 
• If an adult assists with binding, typing, editing, photography, etc., there must be a clear statement on the title page as to the type of assistance given.  For example, "Typing by Mom"  "Binding by Mrs. O'Sullivan"
• Books must include:  Front and Back Covers, Title Page, and Page Numbers.  Please use the Student Checklist to make sure you've thought of all the elements that must be included in your book.

What are the judges looking for in a Young Author book?

The judges evaluate each book using four criteria.  

1. Design:  Book is neat and assembled with care.  Judges look at the illustrations, book cover, page layout and overall look of the book.
2. Story:  Story line is interesting and holds the reader's attention.  It has a clear beginning, middle, and end.  There is a clear-cut conflict or problem that is resolved.  Judges also look at the setting, characters and details.
3. Writing Style.  Narration and point of view is consistent and appropriate to the story.  Dialogue sounds natural.  Word choices are precise.  There is sentence variety and a natural flow.
4. Writing Mechanics.  The book has been edited.  Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are relatively accurate.  Paragraphing is appropriate.  Sentences are well formed.  Grammar is generally accurate.
   
   

To whom should I submit my finished book?

Completed books should be submitted to Mr. Foti in the front office or in the library.

When is my book DUE?

Books are due to BEFORE Friday, March 22nd at 4pm.  We strongly recommend you turn in your book the week before the due date.  Late entries are not accepted.

Who do I contact for more information?

If you have questions, contact Mr. Foti 

2022 St. Perpetua Winners

Congratulations to our wonderful writers and illustrators.  Great Job!

First Place Winners

Honorable Mention 

2021 St. Perpetua Winners

First Place Winners

Honorable Mention

2020 St. Perpetua Winners

TK WINNER

 “TK and Treat” by Jessica Semenchuk’s TK Class

KINDERGARTEN WINNER

“If I were a Superhero” by Holly O’Brien’s Kindergarten Class

SECOND GRADE WINNERS

“We are the Good” by Jennifer Heiskell and Sue O’Sullivan’s 2^nd Grade Class

“There is a Monster Under My Bed” by Keenan Moran

“The Adventures of Scout and Peanut” by Lauren Meinbress

“Facts and Details About All Holidays” by Susana Ochoa

“Famous Works of Art” by Charlotte Harter and Eva Hartvickson

THIRD GRADE WINNERS

“The Night Before the Nutcracker!” by Clara Maduck and Campbell Sabarese

“Spring” by Ava Wedel and Kristina Patskevich

“Brendan’s Dessert Cookbook” by Brendan Whelan

“Cars of the 50s and 60s” by Matthew Motto

FOURTH GRADE WINNERS

“Magic in my Backyard” by Estelle Hall and Elena Portillo

“Animals vs. Prey” by Annie Sena and Poppy Tomich

“Animal Facts” by Sophie Wedel

“Revolution of Dance” by Molly Kroger and Lena Moggan

FIFTH GRADE WINNERS

“Nicholas and the Runaway Papers” by Isabella Polson Flanagin

“Tortoise Time!” by Jonah Mateo

SIXTH GRADE WINNERS

“Wreck this Diary” by Claire Francesca Johnston, Libby Hathaway, and Lilly Walper

“Winter Wonderland” by Kaitlin Motto and Tatum Schmedding

“History of the Philippines” by Adam Haro and Maximus Munzinger

“Zodiac Animals” by Gianna Miller and Claire Cassidy

“God’s Gifts” by Emma Larose and Seri Hoban

“The Bad Seed” by Peter Kroger and Joe Boccabella

“Lunar New Year” by Jack Moran and Milo Moggan

“The Apocalypse” by Nora Maduck and Kyra Silvestri

SEVENTH GRADE WINNERS

“The Peculiar Pals” by Jordan Silvestri and John Kemner

“Mark of the Phoenix” by Caden Hastings

EIGTH GRADE WINNERS

“Shining Light” by Tyler Bergren

“The Great Bike Race” by Nicholas Aiken

“Exotic Bird Encyclopedia” by Marina Miller

“A-Z Countries” by Ben Boccabella

“God’s Creation” by Annelise Motto and Katie Kostolansky

“Colorful Cows” by Natalie Aiken and Maddy Jerge

“On the Inside” by Tatum Haggerty and Ana Pieper

“Green” by Marina Castilla-Liu