Each year, we kick off the Gift of Reading with a writing contest.
2025 Gift of Reading Essay Contest
This year’s topic: “If I could share one book…”
If you could give one book to every kid in your school, what would it be — and why?
Maybe it’s a story that made you laugh, cry, or think.
Maybe it taught you something important, or helped you see the world in a new way.
Maybe it made you feel understood, seen, or special — like the author somehow knew you.
Or maybe it’s just a book you can’t stop talking about and want everyone to enjoy.
Tell us what makes your chosen book so meaningful and why you think others should read it.
Essay requirements:
- Word limit: 200-300 words
- Submit your essay to BookSmart, 421 Vineyard Town Center, open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm
- Please include your name, parents’ names, (teacher’s name if done in class) phone number, email address, school, and grade level.
- Entries are due by 5pm on November 23, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each of the following grade level groups:
- 2nd-3rd grade
- 4th-5th grade
- 6th-8th grade
- 9th-12th grade
Prizes
- 1st Place in each age group wins a $50 BookSmart gift certificate, a writing journal, a certificate of merit and publication of your essay in Morgan Hill Life. (Age groups: 2nd-3rd grade; 4th-5th; 6th-8th; 9th-12th)
- 2nd Place in each category wins a $25 BookSmart gift certificate and a certificate of merit
- 3rd Place in each category wins a $10 BookSmart gift certificate and a certificate of merit
2024 Gift of Reading Essay Contest
“Kindness is like a gift we can give to others every day. Think about a time when someone was kind to you, or when you showed kindness to someone else. Write about what happened, how it made you feel, and why you think kindness is important.”