2015 RYS Contest Winners!

We had hundreds of entries again this year! Thank you to all who entered, and a special congratulations to our winners and honorable mentions.

*A note: we were having some trouble getting photos to line up, so when we figure that out, we'll have everyone else's photo loaded.*

Picture Book Category

1st Place

I WISH I WERE A TREE by Jill Proctor

A young girl, imagining herself living life as a tree, celebrates her relationship with nature's visitors, critters in residence, and changing seasons until her memory of her life as a girl tests her wish to be a tree.

2nd Place

SWEET DREAMS, SARAH by Vivian Kirkfield

With freedom in her pocket and ideas swirling in her head, former slave Sarah E. Goode built a space-saving bed and became the first black woman to receive a U.S. patent.

3rd Place

THE BOY WHO WOULDN'T GROW UP by Ann Magee

How James Barrie’s own struggle to grow up and his adventures with the Llewelyn Davies boys inspired the creation of Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, and Captain Hook.

Honorable Mentions - Picture Book Category

CAN'T MISS KISS by Debbie LaCroix

There's a kiss for almost everything...jelly donuts, chickens, candy, storytime... and for everything else, there's the Can't Miss Kiss.

MORE THAN A HOLE by Lauri Myers

Explore sweet holes where animals live, be wary of trap holes covered by old red rugs, watch holes patiently for spectacular surprises, and never think of a hole as just a hole again.

A MATTER OF RIGHTS by Beth Anderson

In 1854, when Elizabeth Jennings is refused entry on a streetcar due to her race, she decides to fight back, putting in motion a battle that will last a century.

RACE A FLAMING ARROW by Sue Frye

Nothing stopped Liz from out-running every boy in town, and nothing would stop her from fighting in the American Revolution!

BLUE MOON BEAMS by Maria D. Laso

A child who believes gets the chance to fly.

(Photo coming soon)

Novel Category

1st Place

DUMB by Stacy McAnulty

Twelve-year-old math genius Lucy Marquez Adams dodges early entry to college by playing dumb, only to wind up in public middle school without the solution to the equation for fitting in.

2nd Place

THREE IN A BOX by Susan T. Paxton

When a series of fires break out on remote Vallon Island, Sonny Bulee, wrongly accused of starting a fire at a previous school, becomes the main suspect, but his attempts to prove his innocence ignite the interest of three ghosts who may not have his best interests in mind.

3rd Place

ECKAMORE by Andrew Hendryx

A middle grade mystery featuring pirates, ninjas, dodgeball, and a boy's quest to uncover his family’s dark secrets.

Honorable Mentions - Novel Category

PAYMENT TO THE DESERT by Debbie Yasaki

Eleven-year-old Amado's journey crossing the Mexican-American border becomes a physical and emotional struggle for survival.

WILDERNESS GIRL, TAKE ONE by Andrea Mack

When disaster strikes during an audition for a TV survival show, Jade must face her worst wilderness nightmares to get home alive.

THE DREAMS OF TREES by Andrea Skyberg

Artie's been drawing the same card from her handmade tarot deck every day for a year, which makes her wonder if the cards are trying to tell her something or if they’re broken, like her family. 

Everything Else Category

1st Place

"Fishing with my Father" (Short Story) by R. Shane Parkhill

(Synopsis and photo forthcoming)

2nd Place

"Tom-Walking" (Poem) by Patricia Conway

The poem captures the excitement and longing of a young boy wanting to catch Sunday dinner to bring home to his mama.

3rd Place

"Kidz Flip Calendar" by Sally Clark
365 days of the most outrageous holidays for kids to celebrate and each day’s event is accompanied by a rib-tickling poem.   

Honorable Mentions - Everything Else Category

"Ladies Vs. Gentlemen: A Timeless Situation" (Short Story) by Patty Bennett

A Victorian lady goes for a celebratory stroll on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk.

"The Shed" (Short Story) by Andrea Skyberg

Hazel is of the earth—rooted to the soil, while Avi is from the spirit world—light and feathered, and the two meet each night in the shed—falling in love, but unable to touch, as Hazel works tirelessly to recreate the portal that will bring their two worlds together again.

"Hummingbird Hugs" (Short Memoir) by Maria Marshall

An encounter with a baby hummingbird offers hope and happiness to a family battling cancer.

by Irene Wittig