Kleiman Creative Writing Contest Awards for 2024

Kendallville Public Library recently wrapped up its 26th Annual Kleiman Creative writing contest!
First through third place winners and creative awards were announced during an Awards Ceremony at the Community Learning Center on Wednesday, April 17. Over 250 students entered books for the contest in the categories of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel, Chapter Books, Alphabet Books, and Poetry. Books were judged, printed as books and returned to the students during the awards ceremony.

The first place winners are listed below. They each received a $50 gift card and will have their books placed in the KPL collection for all to read!

4th Grade:

• Non-Fiction: Actual Sizes by Cylas Ramey (Wayne Center)
• Fiction: A Dog's Day by Audrey Vuong (Wayne Center)
• Alphabet Book: A is For Animals by Sophia Molargik (Wayne Center)
• Poetry: Acrostic Poems: Seasons by Elliot Field (Wayne Center)
  

5th Grade:

• Non-fiction: Jade by Iris Heinzerling (Avilla)
• Fiction: Pet Store Problem by Brylee Herron (Avilla)
• Alphabet Book: ABC Disney World! by Emery Oakes (Avilla)
• Poetry: Poetry by Abigail Smith (St. Johns)
• Chapter Book: The Journey of the Lost Pencil by Matilda Villarrent (Oak Farm)

6th Grade:

• Non-fiction: Good Morning Phenology by Kinley Becker (Oak Farm)
• Fiction: Dawn's Dairy by Naomi Gaff (St. Johns)
• Alphabet Book: ABC's of Birds by Lucy Gibson (St. Marys))
• Graphic Novel: Vleirchates Downfall! by Elaina Nivens (Oak Farm)
• Chapter Book: The Broken Woods by Cooper Lowe (Oak Farm)

Second place winners:

4th Grade:

• Non-Fiction: Megan Hicks, Wayne Center
• Fiction: Declan Monroe, St. Marys
• Alphabet Book: MIra Carroll, Wayne Center
• Poetry: Laramie Barker, South Side 
  

5th Grade:

• Non-Fiction: Landen McKibben, Wayne Center
• Fiction: Rylan Nartker, South Side
• Poetry: Abigail Smith, St. Johns 
• Chapter Book: Kella Marie Sparklin, Avilla

6th Grade:

• Non-Fiction: Charles Brinker, St. Mary
• Fiction: Serenity Hayden, St. Johns 
• Graphic Novel: Lilly,Kathryn McWhirter, Homeschool 
• Alphabet Books: Emmylou Ellert, St. Marys 
• Chapter Book: Vivian Dunn

Third place winners:

4th Grade:

• Alphabet Book: Natalie Watson, Wayne Center
• Fiction: Dale Uhl, St. Mary's
• Poetry: Evie Conley, Wayne Center
• Non-fiction: Hadley Probst, Wayne Center

5th Grade:

• Alphabet Book: Colton Rodenbeck, Avilla
• Fiction: Navedra Dunkley, Avilla
• Chapter Book: Haper Diehm, Avilla
• Graphic Novel: Zakk Elkin, Avilla 

6th Grade:

• Alphabet Book: Grace Teusch, St. Marys 
• Fiction: Henry Liebing, Oak Farm 
• Chapter Book: Marisa Crespi, Oak Farm
  

The full powerpoint can be found here.

David Kleiman, son of Isadore and Pearl Kleiman, who started the contest in his parents' honor, continues to be involved today, along with his own children and grandchildren. The library is grateful for their continued support. The Kleiman family attended the contest and told the audience a bit about the history of their family and how they were inspired to create the contest.

We were also honored to listen to author, Helen Frost tell us about her career and encourage the young authors! All participants of the contest got to stay for a yummy dinner of Don Chico's after the ceremony.