Srisahiti Maddipatla, a member of the Round Rock Public Library’s Teen Writing Group, entered the 2018 Penguin Young Readers Peculiar Writing Contest and was chosen as a runner-up from hundreds of entries. She won 20 signed copies of Ransom Riggs’ latest book, A Map of Days
for the library. One copy was given to Srisahiti, and the other copies will be used as Summer Reading prizes.
Jane Dance, teen librarian, meets monthly with the Teen Writing Group, and has recognized that there are some talented writers. When a national competition came along she asked if anyone would be interested in entering, and one member, Srisahiti decided she would. The contest required entrants to write a 500–1000 word story inspired by the world of Ransom Riggs’ Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.
Since a photo could be submitted with the entry, Jane brought the teens some old black and white photos of Bournville Cadbury Factory, where she grew up in England, as she thought they might inspire them…and they did. Srisahiti wrote her story, “The Bournville Mystery,” and it began:
“The wide, brick building started biting down to my tears. The wide, brick building reminded me of my mother and her beautiful smile, long hair, and fantastic cooking skills. The wide, brick building seeped into my heart more than any other location I had ever encountered.”
In January, Jane received the congratulatory news from Penguin Random House:
“Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your student’s essay submission has been selected as one of 4 runners-up for the 2018 Penguin Young Readers Peculiar Writing Contest. We received submissions from schools and libraries nationwide, and Ransom Riggs chose Srisahiti’s essay, along with 3 others, as a runner-up.”
Teens are welcome to join the library’s Teen Writing Group which meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Teen Room, 6:30 to 8 p.m., except during Summer Reading. Contact Jane Dance for more information at 512-218-7012.
