Summertime at Rainbow Resource Center means it’s time for our annual writing contest. Students from ages 7 to 18 (by January 1, 2025) who wish to participate, will write and illustrate an original story involving time travel. Entries fall into three different age groups for judging: ages 7-10, ages 11-13, and ages14-18. Two or more winners in each age group are selected by a team of Rainbow Resource judges and will win cash prizes. One of these winners is selected as the Grand Prize Winner and will be published and sold on our website. Here is a link to our past winners.
We use a specific book kit by Lulu, Jr. for the contest (#062477) and offer it at a bargain price for this contest with free shipping. Authors receive a hard cover version of their book in the mail, while our judging team reads a digital version from the publisher. We have teamed with Lulu, Jr. on this contest yearly, and their kits and service are top notch.
Now, because this is a contest, there are specific criteria every year. The rules change depending on the theme. So far, our themes have included a children’s book, comic book, historical fiction, a mystery, a fable, an adventure, a family story, funny story, an underdog tale and poetry. For 2025, we chose something new!
Your task for 2025 is to write and illustrate a Time Travel Tale! What this looks like it up to you, the author. It can start with a spark! Something you learned this year. A person or topic you studied. Perhaps a place you have visited! Visit our full contest page for everything you need to know.
Contest rule number one is always that the student is responsible for the creation of their book. Parents may buy the kit. Parents may email the official entry. Parents may mail off the story pages. Parents can even discuss ideas with their author, but we want the book to be your child’s product. All year kids work on reading, grammar, spelling, handwriting, vocabulary, composition, and more. Here is an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a fun and creative way. The resulting book is a “snapshot” of their creativity that is authentically theirs.
We have added helpful pages with important information to your kit – the Contest Rules Checklist with Rubric and the Planning Your Story handout. Keep these close at hand throughout the writing process to stay on track. Afterall, you are a writer with a deadline! Check our Book Contest product page for printable information and more ideas.
We can’t wait to see your creativity this year! Send any questions to Ruth or Sara at bookcontest@rainbowresource.com
Looking for inspiration? Check out our recommended list of books, novels, and games with a time travel theme. ~Sara
