2017 Edition A Festival of Writing fromPrize-Winning the Thirty-Ninth Annual Essays

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY Youngstown State University GS ENGLISH FESTIVAL FESTIVAL Featuring FOUNDED 1978 The Thomas and Carol Gay Lecturer E. Lockhart The James A. Houck Lecturer #YSUEF2018 Gene Luen Lang @YSUEngFestival 10th–12 th Grades Wednesday, April 26, 2017 7th–9th Grades Thursday, April 27, or Friday, April 28, 2017 9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Kilcawley Center Youngstown State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age, religion or veteran/military status in its programs or activities. Please visit www.ysu.edu/ada-accessibility for contact information for persons designated to handle questions about this policy. E. Lockhart Gene Luen Yang Kaitlyn Huff For more information on National Ambassador for Grade 10 this speaker, please visit Young People’s Literature Niles McKinley High School First Prize “Supported by Every Child a Reader and the Library of Congress”

Julie Pham Grade 7 St. Patrick School, Kent First Prize A Festival of Writing 2017

Contents

Introduction...... 1 2017 Booklist...... 1 Candace Gay Memorial Awards...... 2 First Prize Essays...... 2 Second Prize Essays...... 7 Third Prize Essays...... 10 Williamson Fund Impromptu Prize-Winners...... 14 First Prize Essays...... 15 Second Prize Essays...... 17 Third Prize Essays...... 19 The Tribune Chronicle Journalism Workshop Prize-Winners...... 22 First Prize Articles...... 22 Second Prize Articles...... 26 Third Prize Articles...... 30 “Write Like Gene Luen Yang” Graphic Essay Contest First Prize...... 34 The English Festival Writing Award for Teachers...... 37 First Prize Article...... 37 A Festival of Writing 2017 INTRODUCTION or nearly all of its more than thirty years, the Youngstown State University FEnglish Festival Committee has published a collection of the prize-winning essays written during each Festival’s activities and competitions. Such a publication is wholly in keeping with the Festival’s stated goal to 2017 “recognize and reward distinctive writing.” It is also a means for publicizing the extraordinary work that Youngstown-area students do at the Festival, both in preparing themselves by reading the works on the English Festival booklist and in composing thoughtful and engaging essays before and during the Festival. The essays included in this 2017 edition of A Festival of Writing are no exception. They reflect the excellent language facility of our area’s students, as well as their careful reading and critical thinking. The YSU English Festival Committee congratulates those students whose work appears in these pages, and it commends the parents and teachers who have supported these young writers. Jeff Buchanan Angela Messenger Gary Salvner Co-Chairs of the English Festival Committee

2017 English Festival Booklist 7th–9th Grades 10th–12th Grades The Disreputable History The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks* of Frankie Landau-Banks* E. Lockhart E. Lockhart

We Were Liars* We Were Liars* E. Lockhart E. Lockhart

The Shadow Hero Boxers Gene Luen Yang Gene Luen Yang

The War that Saved My Life Saints Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Gene Luen Yang

Enchanted Air I’ll Give You the Sun Margarita Engle Jandy Nelson

House Arrest All the Bright Places K. A. Holt Jennifer Niven

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Midwinterblood Peculiar Children Marcus Sedgwick Ransom Riggs *indicates a title common to both lists

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2017 Candace Gay Memorial Essay Prompt Art plays various roles in young adult literature. Describe how at least two authors use art—specific pieces of art, the artistic process, artists as characters, etc.—in ways that contribute to the overall meaning and impact of their works which appear on the 2017 YSU English Festival booklist. Candace McIntyre Gay Mike Stoffa, Oil on canvas, 1978 Rockport, Massachusetts

First Prize Essays

Wednesday Sophia McGee Boardman High School Art Feeds the Soul of Literature

Art is more than a colorful canvas, crucial to authors Marcus Sedgwick Each piece of the novel’s puzzle fits a collection of noises, or a hodgepodge and Jandy Nelson as they shaped their seamlessly with the rest; without such of words. Art is the soul of its creator in transcendent novels. meticulous connections, this story a tangible, shareable form. As author The intricately interwoven details would be a disjointed collection of Jandy Nelson phrased such thoughts and boundless love of Midwinterblood individual lives. However, Sedgwick on page 353 of her novel I’ll Give You the by Marcus Sedgwick all stemmed artfully builds each period in his work Sun, art is “not just art, but life-magic.” from a real Swedish painting by Carl around objects such as the mysterious Through their masterpieces, an artist Larsson, Midvinterblot. This piece Dragon Orchid, allowing readers to see exposes their deepest emotions and inspired Sedgwick to craft his fictional the broader picture as each fragment draws forth an unparalleled power, the masterpiece in which Eirikr and Melle falls into place. It is this expert weaving power to heal, to unify, or even to plant reach through the vastness of time that makes Sedgwick himself an artist; the seeds of change. Art hangs on our with their irrepressible love. Larsson’s he took a chilling Swedish painting walls and sits on our desks to inspire creation, described by Sedgwick on about sacrifice and infused it with a us each day. Writing is an art in itself page 152 as coming “from somewhere story of undying love and a connection and utilizes its visual counterparts to else, from another time, from another too powerful to be severed by death. enrich the depth of the written word. world, from another dimension even,” Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You the Sun is In literature, art can unite characters provided the brutal ritual which begins a vibrant, emotional piece about a pair and repair wounds that no medical and ends the lovers’ tale. Midvinterblot of artists and their struggles through treatment could ever restore. Whether also provides the basis for haunting the realities of life. The protagonists, as the lifeblood of characters or a details such as the recurring hares and Noah and Jude Sweetwine, both spark of inspiration, art proved to be the slender blade of the executioner. show talent as artists. Noah lives and

2 A Festival of Writing 2017 breathes artwork; he sees events in comes crashing headlong into them, Midwinterblood and I’ll Give You his life as drawings and releases every forcing both characters to face the the Sun would not have been possible emotion through his works. For Jude, truth about their loved ones and each without the artistic influences obviously art is therapy, healing her soul after the other. Without art, Noah would not be at work in the authors’ minds. Sedgwick cracks in the Sweetwine family finally the bubbly boy readers have come to and Nelson rely on art to advance crumble altogether. From page one, art love and Jude would be just another their plots, develop their characters, drives the plot as it causes happiness girl surfing the waves, not the spunky, and breathe life into their pieces. and heartache for the dynamic duo. sculpting seamstress with an affinity for The unparalleled power of art led They vie for their artistic mother’s superstition. More importantly, Nelson to magnificent creations, showing approval and a spot in their dream depended on art to show Noah, Jude, how important art is to these writers’ prestigious art school. Although the and all of her readers that being true ideas. Each novel reveals the impact twins’ lives are hopelessly tangled, to yourself and never giving up on love of art in different ways, but they both they pull away from each other during are surefire ways to mend a broken highlight the boundless beauty that the most painful point in their lives; family. Jude’s final lines on page 371 art can nourish. These two stories of the unexpected death of their mother exemplifies this message; “Quick, make intertwined love and sacrifice would leaves the pair stranded. As they a wish. Take a (second or third or fourth) have been nothing if it was not for the struggle to move forward, the past chance. Remake the world.” nurturing abilities of art.

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Thursday Abigail Hancox Northwestern Middle School Art and Literature: The Canvas to Our Imagination

As essayist Henry David Thoreau depth encounters of their experiences bringing things back to life. However, once said, “This world is but a canvas to together was her form of coping. The he describes the sacrifice that takes our imagination” and the imagination drawings, which are hung in great place by stating, “take the life of one of a human being is limitless. From the numbers on her bedroom walls, are very thing and give it to another” (Riggs beginning of civilization, art has been important to Cadence and provide a 217). This is just the beginning of the the common ground for expression way for her to feel close with her friends tedious process that he performs every and communication and has led to after their deaths. day. In the novel, Enoch describes the what we know today as literature, or Cadence’s true sense of regret and process in which he goes through which expression in words. The importance mental suffering can be seen when she consists of taking the heart of an animal of art in literature has been present for says, “I wanted so much for us: a life and bringing a clay figure back to life centuries and therefore does not fail free of constriction and prejudice. A with said heart. to be conveyed in various novels in life free to love and be loved. And here, This is the way in which Enoch the 2017 YSU English Festival booklist. I have killed them” (Lockhart 208). In uses the artistic process—imagining, Specific pieces of art and the artistic this way, art is a therapeutic means for planning, creating, refining, and process are evident in We Were Liars by Cadence to cope with her sins and her displaying the art which is created. E. Lockhart and Miss Peregrine’s Home for drawings are a lens through which the However, this process is not solely Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Both reader sees her character. E. Lockhart limited to art and is used while creating novels use art to strengthen the overall portrays Cadence’s regret through art literature, therefore serving as the direct effect of the novel and to give readers a and specific drawings used as a way to link between the two. This link is clearly different perspective of the personalities cope with her loss. This display of art shown by author Ransom Riggs when of characters. had a significant impact on the story he created the twisted and troublesome Specific pieces of art in the novel and helped to convey the story theme character, Enoch O’Connor and the We Were Liars reveal the inner turmoil of regret and remorse. purpose that he served in the novel. of main character, Cadence. Author E. Another novel that displays the The creation of these creatures and the Lockhart portrays Cadence as a teenage importance of art in literature is the process in which Enoch used directly girl with a once bright future, who novel Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar shows the strange ways in which these indirectly kills her friends in a house Children, which uses the artistic process young people think and express their fire. After Cadence discovers that she to show the thought process and peculiar gifts. had been living in a state of confusion mentality of Enoch O’Connor. Enoch The impact of art in literature is and denial over the deaths of her is a teenage peculiar with one of the seen in an abundant number of ways closest friends and family, drawing in- most twisted gifts of all the children: in the novels We Were Liars and Miss

4 A Festival of Writing 2017 Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. with remorse and in Enoch O’Connor’s and a canvas, is identical to picking up The authors use art forms to reveal the case, the artistic process allowed him to a book and letting your imagination plot of the story and help transform express his disturbed thoughts about run free just as Henry David Thoreau the way readers see the characters and life and death that ran through his mind described as the limitlessness of your their true thoughts and emotions. In daily. After all, picking up a paintbrush own mind. Cadence’s case, art was a form of coping

Friday Amber Pearce Greenville Junior/Senior High School Interpreting Panoptical Arts

Art, defined as “the expression or school institution was enough to keep monsters had slowly demolished the application of human creative skills and most of the students obeying the rules” protection of the loop, but it also helped imagination,” is a powerful contribution (66). E. Lockhart included this kind of preserve and salvage what damage to young adult literature when art into her novel to help explain the was not done and kept the rest of the expressed through a character’s actions atmosphere of Alabaster. The characters children safe. or characters themselves. Whether it made decisions based on this fear that Both novels have evidence of be a character who artistically conveys they did not know was there. Frankie the same kind of art. The Disreputable oneself or a piece of art, the impact attempted to tell Alpha that she is not History of Frankie Landau-Banks that artistic techniques have on a novel allowed off campus. She said, “ … but includes the panopticon and Miss unveil an overall meaning or underlying such is the nature of the panoptic on: Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children theme. When considering the definition most students at Alabaster didn’t leave contains the children’s special talents. of art, one thinks of Picasso or Van campus-even though it was as simple Both being forms of art on their own, Gogh or musical geniuses like Mozart. as hopping over a low stone wall. ‘I but when incorporated into one, are However, to further the interpretation don’t want to get caught,’ Frankie said” both very similar with the theme of of art, one must look deeply into the (89). This paranoia from the panopticon the panopticon. When Jacob saw metaphorical meaning and consider impacted Frankie. She knew that she the monster in the woods after his the “application of human creative skills was not going to get caught, but she grandfather died, he was so paranoid. and imagination.” Art is a broad word became self-governing, the exact effect His life changed. “I was convinced it with a range of diverse topics. From art that Bentham wanted. This impeccable had killed my grandfather and that it that can physically be seen to a kind idea of the panopticon had a great would soon return for me… my solution of art that must be understood, The effect on people, even if they were was to stop leaving the house” (35, Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- unaware of the concept, and shows true Riggs). He was so paranoid that he Banks by E. Lockhart and Miss Peregrine’s qualities of a complex art form. could not function normally. “Someone Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom An unusual form of art, the is watching you. Or, someone is Riggs share intricate concepts of art. special talents that the children have, probably watching you. Or, you feel like Impressive artwork found in The is found in Miss Peregrine’s Home for someone’s watching you” (54, Lockhart). Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- Peculiar Children. Jacob Portman did Jacob felt like he was being watched, Banks is the panopticon. Designed not discover that he could see the illustrating the impact Bentham wanted by Jeremy Bentham, the architectural monsters until he arrived on Cairnholm the panopticon to have. The feeling of design of the panopticon would, “… Island. Without Jacob’s special talent, this panoptical nature can be found in create a sense of paranoia so pervasive bad things could have happened both The Disreputable History of Frankie that its inhabitants became practically to the children. For example, when Landau-Banks and Miss Peregrine’s Home self-governing” (53). This prison was they were fighting Malthus, the other for Peculiar Children. precisely crafted to impose this fear children were not able to see what For some, the idea of the on prisoners, a form of art that applies was happening. Jacob said, “The panopticon and the children’s talents “human creative skills and imagination.” others couldn’t see it the way I did but may not fall into the art category. This piece of art contributed to the recognized its shadow projected on the “Vision is the art of seeing what is overall meaning of the novel because wall and that of its ropelike tongues” invisible to others,” stated by Jonathan Frankie once described that, “The (295). The children would be in great Swift can explain that people have feeling of being watched generated by danger if Jacob were not there. Jacob’s different opinions on what is art. The the panoptical nature of the boarding artistic talent of being able to see panopticon and the children’s talents

5 A Festival of Writing 2017 may not demonstrate “the expression pushing her to do the right thing. This true,” can be inferred. Frankie did the or application of human creative skills panopticon could be her conscience, pranks because she was standing for and imagination,” in some opinions. The an art invisible to all. Jacob was greatly something that she believed in. Jacob panopticon is not a kind of art that you influenced by this paranoia, but once was doing the right thing by helping the can see or feel, but one may become a he discovered that his talent was so children and Miss. Peregrine by using better person while under the influence important, it fueled him to fight the his talent. The art in The Disreputable of the panoptical concept, an art that monster, to do the right thing. The sense History of Frankie Landau-Banks and takes true skill. One could become self- that someone is watching you, that Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar governing to do what is right. Frankie paranoia, can be found in both novels. Children bring out the best in the main tricked her friends because she was As a product of the panopticon, the characters, always inspiring the right doing what she thought was right. She theme, “no matter the circumstance, you thing to happen, and the best possible felt a silent kind of panopticon, silently innately do what you think to be morally outcomes of every situation to occur.

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Wednesday Lily AbiNader Sharpsville Area High School Art: Status or Story?

Picture this: A painting of a long “Tasteful botanic prints line the in We Were Liars possessed many pieces wooden table with a cream colored walls of my room, plus some art I made: of art. Some, like Cadence’s crayon tablecloth spread upon it. On the table a watercolor of the maple that used drawings and watercolors, depicted are plates of food and glasses of wine. to loom over the Clairmont lawn, and special scenes from the family’s lives. Surrounding the table are thirteen two crayon drawings: one of Granny Others, like the grandparents’ ivory people; one person in the center is the Tipper and her dogs…; the other of sculptures of animals, were displays main focus. He is Jesus, and the twelve my father.”1 This quote from We Were of wealth, used as status symbols. people surrounding him are the twelve Liars shows the other side of Lockhart’s Cadence questioned the legality of Apostles. The painting is The Last Supper, coin. These pieces of art could not be the ivory statues, and her grandfather by the artist Leonardo da Vinci. This sold for high amounts of money or replied, “You can get it,” because one painting tells an iconic story, known by displayed in a museum, but to Cadence, of his mottos was, “Don’t take no millions of people throughout history. these pieces of her art tell the story of for an answer.”4 These statements Now, picture this: You’re sitting in a her life and meaningful things within reinforce the point: their art is primarily large room, surrounded by many other it. Lockhart was able to show much of a showcase for their wealth. Lockhart people who, like yourself, are dressed Cadence’s character through what she proves that the family’s arrogance and expensively and perfectly, and who drew, “I take a pad of sketch paper and excess drove the Liars to do what they hold numbered paddles in their hands. a ballpoint pen…begin to draw. They did. An auctioneer introduces the painting are barely more than stick figures, but The impact that the novel, We Were to the crowd and starts the bidding. In you can tell they are my Liars.”2 The stick Liars, had was really driven home by the under ten minutes, the most expensive figure drawing by Cadence showcases ways that art was used. It symbolized painting to be sold at auction goes to her feelings for her Liars in a few simple the simplicity of the children’s minds, the highest bidder for $106.5 billion. The lines. She draws the important little like Cadence, and how she loved the painting is Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust, details that she believes show Gat’s, special moments in life. It also showed painted by the artist Pablo Picasso. This Mirren’s, Johnny’s, and her own true the dark side that comes with wealth, painting is a status symbol. selves. the greed. These revelations are Art plays many roles in society. Two Another type of storytelling important because the Sinclair family, important ones that are evidenced in painting is the work of Carl Larsson, using art as a status symbol, led to their this year’s English Festival books are Midvinterblot, that Sedgwick referenced demise. The innocence of the kids was art as a storytelling device and art as a throughout his novel. It was the type corrupted by the thoughtless choices status symbol. Marcus Sedgwick, the of painting that someone is curious of the adults. The opposite is true for author of Midwinterblood, uses art in about, needing to know more: “The Midwinterblood and its artwork. There is his novel to tell the reader a story. E. painting. A vast, vast painting. Bridget so much meaning in the Midvinterblot Lockhart, the author of We Were Liars, was drawn to it, her feet carrying her painting: it lives on to symbolize love uses art in her novel as both a status toward it without her thinking. Her and foreshadows a story about how symbol and a storytelling device. The mouth hung open, she had never seen those in love always find their way back art in these novels depicts important anything like it, anything so mysterious, to each other. themes. In Sedgwick’s case, it is that so compelling, so terrifying.”3 This is Whether used as a status symbol there is a story, telling not only the the story of King Eirikr’s sacrifice, and so or a storytelling device, art is part of happenings of one moment in history much emotion is put into the painting, the human experience, as seen in these but also a variation of what is to come and so much detail, that it is able to novels. It transcends time and culture. in the future. In Lockhart’s novel, we see morph into a story that spans centuries It connects people, defines them. It that obscene amounts of wealth and about love and reconnecting. reveals what we care about, and it tells privilege can do damage to a family; In some people’s homes, there our stories. some of the art in the book represents are no crayon drawings on the fridge 1 We Were Liars, pg 74 the affluence of the Sinclair family. Also, or sentimental paintings on the wall. 2 We Were Liars, pg 222 however, for Lockhart, there’s another But they may have fancy sculptures or 3 Midwinterblood, pg 151 side to the coin: storytelling. valuable paintings. The Sinclair family 4 We Were Liars, pg 111 7 A Festival of Writing 2017

Thursday Grace Johnson Maplewood High School The Art of Writing

Traditional art is expressed in many well as tastefully picked out furniture It took Leonardo da Vinci four years ways; whether it be an oil painting, and decor. Visual arts are integral and to paint the Mona Lisa and six years a sculpture of Diana, a beautiful a huge piece of their heritage as the for Leo Tolstoy to write War and Peace, illuminated manuscript, or even a ancestral family, the Sinclairs. Art is a so artwork and literary works are both Picasso rendition of a crying woman. huge part of life, and without it, life long processes. The longer and more Each artist states their emotions in a would be pretty boring. edited the story and artwork, the better different and unique way, with two Another story I found very artistic the quality of both. These examples of pieces never the same. However, not was Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar stories that used art in their own ways all art is the standard paint and canvas. Children. Ransom Riggs took the liberty were quite fascinating and completely Some types of art are very “out-of-the- of penning a story that expands the amazing. I was like a small child who box” ideas, such as using brain power minds of those reading it. He took found the stash of candy their parents and intelligence to influence other a simple idea, the main character, had hidden from them; completely and people and things. Also, writing is an art Jacob, finding out he was different, utterly ecstatic to find the elements of all unto itself. Writing expresses feelings and making it into a story that keeps creativity in these works of literature. and emotions using words and imagery the reader completely absorbed and Art captivates and uses all parts to get an idea across. Let’s dive into this riveted the entire time. The artistry that of the body. It enraptures the eyes, a little more. he used in describing the funny and intrigues the nose, tingles the nerves in As an individual that can appreciate “peculiar” characters was brilliantly the hand, and, in some cases, provides a good work of literature and anything done. All of them had obvious quirks, the taste buds with invigorating flavor. art-related, I can’t help but love the which could be seen through the Artists and authors are few and far- way different authors express art colorful descriptions he used in talking between these days, and they are even in their varying stories. In the book about each one. I could visualize them fewer individuals who possess both The Disreputable History of Frankie all, as these funny people with very qualities. Those authors whose books Landau-Banks, the main character is a interesting personalities. Another area I pored over were some of those who genius. She uses that ingenuity to plan of art that was portrayed were the eerie were possessed both talents. As the intricate pranks on the fellow students photographs that riddled the pages. philosopher Voltaire said, “Writing is the by infiltrating a secret society that is Each photograph was old-fashioned painting of the voice.” Authors are the exclusively male. The problem was that and vintage, being black and white, painters of words, and that is a fact. she got caught; losing friends, including with a slightly grainy composition. The her boyfriend who she was convinced story surprised me as not a creepy one, was in love with her. Sometimes things but as one of mystery and intellect. happen that we don’t expect and we Authors’ use of imagery and word end up heartbroken and friendless, all pictures varies depending on the work because we wanted to be viewed as of literature and the author. That is more than just a pretty face, but as a artwork, in my opinion. Authors are then brain and a thinker. She proved that “painting a picture” with their words, 2018 she was a thinker when they found out which can be much more difficult than about her planning the pranks. an actual drawing or painting. Having In the story We Were Liars, Cadence the ability to write, and write well, is is an artist. The art that she creates is more advanced and complicated than mostly watercolor and pencil or pen any art piece. Using language that is sketches on graph paper. Her artwork understood, yet mature and complex depicted her family and the beach that keeps the reader entertained where she spent her summers, as well and interested in whatever the object as her friends and golden retrievers. Her of the work is, can be even harder to YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY grandmother was also an art collector accomplish. Sometimes authors writing and had art from around the world can become dry and uninteresting, FESTIVAL FOUNDED 1978 placed in various places around her though what they are talking about is homes. She had ivory statuettes from actually quite compelling. ANNIVERSARYth Asia and artwork from famous artists as 40 8 A Festival of Writing 2017

Friday Hannah Kelly Valley Christian Schools—Lewis Center for Gifted Learning Potential Expressing and Explaining

Debatably, art is one of the most hound is that it is symbolic in itself. As the white rose is a symbol of purity important things in our world as it is one a dog, it represents power, support, during life, shown through many of the of the most expressive things in human and safety, but its breed also offers a book’s raw emotions. Lastly, referring history. Art can help to explain natural different message. As a small dog, it is directly to Martí’s meaning: that the resources found in Mesopotamia, what considered powerless, as well as having white rose is given both to the good philosophical values were in ancient a calm demeanor. This makes it seem and the bad. This idea adds significantly Greece, and political campaigns in as though the Loyal Order of the Basset to the text, as it shows that there is no the Han Dynasty. Art is a constant Hounds have considerable power way to know whether the time ahead of symbolic way to express how a people expressedly, but use it nonchalantly, you is good. The white rose itself almost or individual are living. And not just just dismissing other powers to do acts as a block for any foreshadowing whether the artist is happy, but also his what they will. This helps the reader that could have otherwise occurred. The or her religious viewpoint, social status, to understand that although the speaker (in this case the “I” in the poem) economic status, political views, natural group could do harm, they are actually is an omniscient figure that “grow[s] resources, and many other things. Lady harmless, thus they are also innocent the white rose,” meaning to control Bird Johnson said, “Art is the window to bystanders to Frankie’s relentless pranks. the fate of the person whom he or she man’s soul. Without it, he would never But while the basset hound is is giving the white rose to. Thus, this be able to see beyond his immediate a form of indirect symbolism in E. otherwise meager piece of art that pops world; nor could the world see the man Lockhart’s book, Margarita Engle up seemingly at random actually gives within,” and it is the belief of many that decided to take a more direct approach great context to the contents of Engle’s this is true. An artist can give much of in her memoir, Enchanted Air. Unlike memoir, by showing us the feeling of what he or she is expressing in other Lockhart’s more hidden symbolism, utter despair upon having realized that forms too. Other art forms in this essay Engle hands hers to readers right out one is not able to know whether or not include sculptures, graphics, creative of the gate; as a white rose. The rose their fate is a happy one. writing, and poetry. All of these are appears every time that there is a break Regardless of their symbolism, did very influential to the overall meaning in the book itself (pgs. 4, 6, 61, 119, 165), either of these works of art affect the of their contexts in their own way, as E. and, though beautiful, holds unknown overall meaning to their appropriate Lockhart expresses in The Disreputable or underlying meaning. Once the book books? While it is certainly true that History of Frankie Landau-Banks with her has ended, however, Engle explains a great deal of laughter would be symbolic basset hounds and Margarita herself in José Martí’s Engle’s white roses in Enchanted Air. poem Cultivo Una Rosa The Disreputable History of Frankie Blanca. Martí says, “I Landau-Banks is set in a school that grow a white rose, / in is remembered by past attendees for July, as in January, / for holding a notorious all-boys club, the the sincere friend / who Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. The gives me his honest Basset Hounds are a group of teenage hand. / And for the cruel boys who act as though they are in one who rips out / the an elite organization by not making heart with which I live, their group public. The main character, / I don’t grow thistles Frankie, is a girlfriend to one of the or weeds; / I grow the “leaders” of the club, Matthew. Not white rose” (pg. 193). allowed to join, she feels discriminated The white rose appears against, and ends up infiltrating their during each split for secret society (in retaliation) and playing several identifiable many humorous pranks on her school reasons: firstly, that the administration. She single-handedly period is significant and organizes school-wide pranks that should therefore be always are signed with a form of the separated from both the group’s signature: the basset hound. previous and following What is interesting about the basset section. Secondly, that 9 A Festival of Writing 2017 procured after reading about a large Frankie feel a part of the schemes, and all become clear: Engle is saying that vegetable hound (pg. 273), one may not she even builds some pride for her own the roses represent the purity of life in be certain if the figure also procured any creative masterpieces. If Frankie were how it is unpredictable. Both Engle and insight about the book’s theme. And never to create the schemes and feel Lockhart understand the importance what of the white rose? In Lockhart’s as if she was in control of the group, of art, and how it affects their reader’s novel, the appearance of the basset then the book would have lost a way understanding. hound was very significant in the to move its plot forward, leaving the Art can be very influential to reader’s understanding of the text. If reader confused as to why Frankie’s the context in which it is placed, as Frankie, who organized most of the actions were important in the grand Margarita Engle and E. Lockhart utilize group’s endeavors, had simply let the scheme of things. Meanwhile, Engle in their books. One helps to explain an Loyal Order run amuck causing hilarity allows her readers to come to their overall theme, while the other moves and distress on her school campus, then own conclusions at times she deems along the plot. Both are very significant, the reader would lose interest, thinking necessary, and then reveals the man and they both help to expand our that the book holds no constant plot. behind the curtain. Before reading the views on each book’s overall meaning. But rather than letting that be so, poem at the end of the book, the reader Together in their works of clarity, Lockhart decides to have Frankie be may think that the flower represents both show us that art is not always the one to mark the deeds, almost as life, or pain as thorns, or confusion in something physical, but rather, art is the if they are her own. This helps to make its swirl. But once Martí’s poem is read, action of expressing and explaining.

Third Prize Essays

Wednesday Siena Larrick Boardman High School The Convex Lens of Expression

Perhaps, the greatest triumph of In I’ll Give You the Sun nearly mother’s death and for the lies they humans is our ability to, as needed, everyone is an artist, and for Noah and have told each other and themselves interpret the natural world differently. Jude, art is a way of life. Early on in the ever since. Similarly, Oscar suffered Some situations call for logic and novel, Jude is asked by her advisor, trauma with the loss of his own mother reasoning while others require instinct “Isn’t there anything you want to make years before. Moreover, Guillermo and impulse. Each metaphorical “lens” anymore? We wish with our hands, that’s Garcia lost the love of his life the day the serves a purpose. The most unique of what we do as artists” (34). This concept Sweetwine children lost their mother. these lenses is expression. Through of the power of art to effect change is Each character handles their struggles this lens, we are able to look deeper a prominent theme throughout the differently although some handle the into ourselves, the people around us, story. As each twin undergoes what struggle more constructively. Noah and even create a visual imagining of is commonly known as a coming-of- becomes his own polar opposite in the world as we see it. Since the very age journey, they are guided by the an effort to run from his past, and beginning of mankind, art – whether pursuit of art. Though art may not have Oscar is introduced as an addict, now in the form of cave paintings or simple the capability Jude envisions when recovering. Jude becomes a self- melodies – has played a significant role embarking on the creation of the statue blaming hypochondriac. Garcia stops in our experience of life and thus has of her mother, the twins learn that art teaching and drinks heavily on the found its way into literature. I’ll Give You does have the ability to draw people anniversary of his love’s death. However, the Sun by Jandy Nelson is a realistic together, create bonds, and alter one’s as the novel progresses, the reader fiction novel set in present day Northern perception. “You’re remaking the world, learns that for each of these characters California, centered on twins, Noah and Noah. Drawing by drawing” (115). art has become a refuge, an outlet. As Jude Sweetwine. Marcus Sedgwick’s Another significant theme in I’ll Garcia puts it, “...what is bad for the heart Midwinterblood is a fantasy novel about Give You the Sun is that of processing is good for the art” (301). the reincarnation of two lovers seven guilt. Each member of the Sweetwine On the other hand, Midwinterblood separate times. Although the use of family, as well as Oscar and Guillermo consists of a cast of characters who are art by these two 2017 English Festival Garcia, is dealing with the aftermath of not artists, but living manifestations authors varies greatly in execution, it is loss, lies, and mistakes. First, Jude and of art itself. The novel is based on a equally poignant in the overall impact Noah each feel responsibility for their Swedish painting called Midvinterblot and meaning of each work. 10 A Festival of Writing 2017 by Carl Larsson depicting the sacrificial the modern world, have we done with sacrifice are omnipresent in human death of a Viking king. The plot follows suffering? Have we done with love, and existence. Through art, the lens of this king, Erikr, and his queen, Melle, loss? Have we done with wars? Then expression allows these ideas to come through seven lifetimes. The book is there will be sacrifice!” (164). fully into focus. essentially an imagined backstory to this While these two authors use art magnificent work of art that traces a tale differently, it is an integral force in of love, loss, and sacrifice throughout these novels. The the ages. In addition to an origin in artistic process, art, one character in Midwinterblood, artists as characters, Eric Carlsson, is a fictitious version and works of art of the painter responsible for serve the purpose Midvinterblot. This reincarnation of of exposing little the aforementioned Viking king tells known themes not the story of his own death through his only in literature final masterpiece. When the painting but in life. The ideas is rejected by the National Museum, of the power of an Eric introduces the central point of this individual, guilt, novel, “Just because we have entered healing, love, and

Thursday Blaine Dahmen Maplewood High School Art in Literature

Art plays a very key role in almost emotion better than could ever be done the mystery in Gene Luen Yang’s writing any book you could find. From poetry with a conventional writing style. In is multiplied by the art, making you to pictures, art can change the mood, the hands of a normal author, the raw wonder all the way if Hank really is cut atmosphere, and overall impact of a emotion of Timothy in his journal would out to be a superhero. For example, work. Many examples can be found have been nearly completely lost. You Hank’s fight with the gangsters on Cooly in this year’s English Festival book see Timothy’s boredom and agitation Hat Rock when he finds a casino inside list, such as the pictures found in Miss manifest when the writing is dragged is made even more intense by what it Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, out over many short lines. This ability to doesn’t show as much as it is by what the illustration by Sonny Liew in The more efficiently convey emotion allows it does, allowing you to see little more Shadow Hero, or even the whole writing for a much deeper connection to the than Hank the whole time, forcing you style of K.A. Holt in House Arrest. These book, leaving the reader craving more. to wonder how many more people are books each use different forms of art to The art style of The Shadow Hero there to fight him off. accomplish very different effects for the manages to keep the reader enthralled My personal favorite of the books novel. because of its ability to show just on the list, Miss Peregrine’s Home for For all of her books, K.A. Holt writes enough to let you follow the story, but Peculiar Children uses found vintage in stanzas. This seems very odd at first is also perfectly chaotic, keeping you photographs scattered throughout sight, but in House Arrest, this allows on the edge of your seat during every the book to give the readers a better a greater connection to Timothy, the major scene as you learn about the mental image, allowing Riggs to better main character and narrator. This is gangs that murdered Hank’s father just control literally how you see the book. because it often displays Timothy’s as Hank does. The tension created by This control thrusts you into Jacob

11 A Festival of Writing 2017 Portman’s shoes, a young boy scarred up person. The forced perspective of the and struggles, Sonny Liew and Gene by the gruesome death of his beloved book makes you forget that he isn’t real, Luen Yang did it by considering what grandfather. This forced mental picture though, making you feel what Jacob they should leave out of frame almost also creates a stronger bond between does as he feels the need to brave the as much as what should be put in, and Jacob’s newfound friends and the roller coaster of emotions to find the Ransom Riggs did it by forcing you to reader, almost making you see the truth about his grandfather, Abe’s past, view Jacob as a real person with real fictional characters as a real people, and his brutal death. struggles, almost making you forget sympathizing with them. Forcing this All three authors used art, but each he is a complete work of fiction. All of connection shapes the book from to a very different degree, and in very these authors set out with a common a boring story into a deep-rooted, different ways. All three use a different goal of making a great work to capture tugging mystery, in which you want to form of art to achieve a similar end goal, the hearts and imaginations of young unravel the mysteries of Abe’s past and forming a deeper bond with the book readers, and went about it in very the time loop, and you almost want to and its characters. K.A. Holt did it by different ways, but all achieving the goal do it for the sake of a completely made making you care about Timothy’s family of making you care.

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Friday Torrance Gaskins Gaskins Homeschool Art and Literature: The Transformation of Ideas

Have you ever stood in front of Some people would argue that The plot in The Shadow Hero has many a piece of art, a painting, or even a Riggs’ use of photography is distracting action scenes throughout it and has a picture, and felt yourself emotionally to the actual story, a feeling similar to comic book feel to the story. By using moved in some way? The way we seeing your favorite book turned into art to represent the story we get to see perceive images can provoke feelings a movie where all the characters are the action as it is taking place which in us beyond the capabilities of even not at all what you imagined them as. I creates a mood of anticipation and the most accomplished writers—for to observed while reading Peculiar Children caries the plot forward in The Shadow actually see an image in its truest form that Riggs presents the pictures at the Hero. is to see into another world altogether. parts in the book where the reader first Art plays an important role in In the book Miss Peregrine’s Home for meets the characters or setting, so when today’s literature, particularly in the Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs uses I saw the pictures I did not already have young adult genre. As we have seen, art antique photographs to create an air an image in my mind. Riggs also does can create a mood and enhance the plot of mystery while graphic novelists such a good job of describing the photos of a story or it can work as a propelling as Gene Luen Yang use art as more a of the characters in the book to the force to create a tense mood in action means of expressing the plot of a story. point where one almost feels like it is scenes. However art is used, we as Some people believe that graphic an actual photo of the character. In fact, readers can gain new perspectives by novels or books that incorporate Riggs says in the interview that “the reading books that incorporate art into pictures as an essential part of their photographs came first” in the process its theme. It is unjust to dismiss these story are not “real books;” however, as of writing, so without these pictures great works of writing and art such as the visual arts have become increasingly the book might never had existed The Shadow Hero and Miss Peregrine’s more advanced through technology the (358). People should be less closed Home for Peculiar Children as not “real distinction between literature and art minded about the possibilities that art books;” we should instead embrace this has become somewhat of a gray area. and photography create in writing just new opportunity to be transported by a By harnessing the power of images because it is not their “idea” of what story in a unique way. through literature writers can transport things should look like. After all, the their readers in an entirely new way. reason most of us read fiction is to get Throughout the book Miss a glimpse into another world of the Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children author’s own creation. Riggs uses antique photographs as a In the graphic novel The Shadow way of showing what the characters and Hero written by Gene Luen Yang and places look like in the story. Because of illustrated by Sonny Liew the use of how Riggs uses photographs as directly art is essential to the composition. representing images in the book, the Unlike in Riggs’ Peculiar Children, Yang story feels similar to a diary without incorporates art into The Shadow Hero as actually being one. While reading a means of presenting the story. Similar Peculiar Children, I was often overcome to a movie, graphic novels are exactly by the eerie quality of the photographs what the name implies—graphic because of how well Riggs describes representations of the story while still them in the context of the story. Riggs’s using words in dialogue and context use of antique photographs not only is boxes. This is where the edge of the used contextually but also adds a great story and art are the most indistinct deal to the mood of the book. Riggs because both play an important role in expressed in an interview in his book representing the story—without the use that in the process of writing the book of images along with the words and vice “the photos and the story influenced versa the novel would be meaningless. each other” (Riggs 358). Without the Although graphic novels are not all photographs in Peculiar Children, the action oriented, the style of graphic book would have lacked the intensity of design lends itself well to the action the plot and the frightening emotions story or hero story because of how it that the pictures provide to the book. represents images instantaneously. 13 A Festival of Writing 2017

Williamson Fund Impromptu Prize-Winners Impromptu Prompts for 2017 26 April SENIOR IMPROMPTU ESSAY PROMPT: In All the Bright Places, Finch and Violet partner for their “Wander Indiana” geography assignment. Imagine you have to wander through the 2017 English Festival booklist. In an essay, describe three wonders from the books that you would choose to explore and explain the significance of each location. What might you leave behind as your mark on each site? 27 April JUNIOR IMPROMPTU ESSAY PROMPT: An unreliable narrator is one who may not be trustworthy for various reasons. Perhaps the person telling the story has been affected by tragedy, abuse, or neglect. Maybe a character has a position or agenda which influences how he or she tells the story. Or maybe the narrator is of questionable character, dishonest, manipulating, unethical. Using examples form the 2017 English Festival booklist, discuss in an essay why you may have doubted the reliability of the narrators from at least two books and how the stories may have been limited by the perspectives of those narrators. 28 April JUNIOR IMPROMPTU ESSAY PROMPT: National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang says, “Reading Without Walls means being open to new kinds of stories. It means reading books others might not expect us to like, that we ourselves might not expect to like. It means reading books with covers that show characters who don’t look like us. It means reading books in formats that may be unfamiliar.” In an essay, discuss how one or more books from the 2017 English Festival booklist challenged you with something unfamiliar. Explore what knowledge, skills, or passions you have gained from this experience.

14 A Festival of Writing 2017 First Prize Essays

Wednesday Michaela Brydon Butler Area Senior High School Giving Them the Respect They Deserve

This year’s book list was flooded with tragedy. Whether it be by suicide or some dreadful accident, these departures became central to the plots of many of our books. On my stroll through the English Festival book list, I would pay homage to the lives lost by visiting the sites in which they perished. Particularly, I would visit the cliff that Noah and Jude can’t get off their minds, Cadence’s grandfather’s shiny new house, and the water hole in All the Bright Places. I would begin my solemn journey at the cliff where Noah and Jude’s mother sped off on the way to meet her exotic new lover. This cliff becomes a symbol of their mother in the twins’ minds. It looms in the back of their minds as their distraught existences turn to life would never be the same. All that find, in horror, that she was right about shambles. It is no surprise that Noah remains from the tragedy is a lingering Finch, that he had taken his life at the chooses this spot to take his life before migraine and an uncomfortably modern water hole. To Violet, this spot is forever his sister and her new partner come to house. In this house, on the first floor, tainted, despite the beautiful memories save the day. This cliff represents the I would leave three grains of sand she and Finch had made there before. worst day in their young lives. In this from the nearby beach, one for each Before leaving, I would put a map of spot, I would leave behind a seed, in the Lyer. Although the house is gone, the Indiana beside the water. On their hopes that one day it will grow into a shores will always remain. The new journey, Finch and Violet fell in love with beautiful flower. This flower will serve house needs something of what was to each other along with their quirky state. two purposes: to turn a once horrific avoid glossing over these young deaths The map represents their adventures location into something beautiful and completely. Also, with something as together and the memories they made to represent the lost soul that will be small as a grain of sand, they are likely along the way. greatly missed. to remain in the cracks on the floor Death is never expected. More My next destination would be without anyone noticing; so, even if the often than not, it hits us at the worst the new house on the island that rest of the family wants to forget what possible times and brings our worlds Cadence’s family owns. This spot happened, they will serve as a reminder crumbling down. In order to heal, we is significant because this is where to me. must take time to remember those who Cadence lost her Lyers. The building My trip will come to an end at the we have lost and give them the respect itself is of no significance to me as it water hole. For Finch and Violet, this they deserve in their departure. Loss is a replacement. Cadence’s friends spot marks one of the highest points in will always hurt, but the memories will never walked those floors or felt those their relationship. Unfortunately, it also keep us going. couches. What matters is the area itself. became the site of the most gruesome When Cadence lit that paper towel, her encounter of Violet’s life. She arrived to

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Thursday Ava Coates Kennedy Catholic Middle School Very, Very Unreliable Narrators

Often times in books readers are about the past. Cadence was longing and controlling the Basset Hounds, she limited to the eyes of naïve, ignorant for something more and that makes her was still an active hypocrite throughout main characters. Whether they are unreliable just as much as her lack of most of the story. Someone who young, not thinking, straight, blinded understanding about what happened. cannot even go by their own ideals is with emotions, or not understood, Frankie from E. Lockhart’s The not reliable as a narrator. they all create unique problems of Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- Both Cadence and Frankie which they will inevitably have to dig Banks is stunningly unreliable because demonstrate thoughts and actions themselves (or have others do so) out of. of her blindness of her own situation. that do not show evidence of Cadence from E. Lockhart’s We Were In a word, she is hypocritical. Though thoughtfulness, cool-headedness, or Liars is an excellent example of this. she preaches feminist ideals and non-biased thinking. By seeing the Frankly, Cadence is unreliable in that we constantly alludes to the notion that story from their minds, we, as readers, understand that she has experienced her school, Alabaster, is a patriarchal only see one side, even if that side is something awful (as revealed at the end society, she still allows her boyfriend, damaged. In Frankie’s story we only of the story and hinted throughout). Matthew Livingston, to juggle her see what Alabaster (and the Basset Even towards the beginning of the story feelings within his fingertips. She Hounds) are like from her power hungry, we begin to understand she is terrified. admires both him and his popularity hypocritical and confused view, and in She tells her story in such a way that it and friends even though they all go We Were Liars we see the story unfold becomes evident that he wants what against what she believes. Though she from the horrific, terrified mind of the she had before her accident; she makes acts on her wrongdoings, though she psychologically damaged Cadence that clear in her relentless anecdoting tries to make it right by posing as Alpha Sinclair.

Friday Laura Elaine Legros Southeast Middle School Lessons Learned

Have you ever read a book where So, the English Festival books are very My Life many people learned how other you thought you might not like it? In informative and guiding. people feel when they are dealing with the end, did you think, “Wow, I actually Additionally, the books provide neglect and abuse. Then, people were like this book”? Broadening your book an understanding of different kinds of able to realize that kids that deal with choices can be very influential, provide people. For instance, in The Shadow trauma need to be taken care of and understanding of other people, and Hero it shows that people of different kept a close eye on like Cadence in We allow you to have an open mind. In the origin and different backgrounds Were Liars. This allows people to believe books from the 2017 English Festival can find a way to be something they and feel the trials of other people’s lives. book list, there were many different weren’t expected to be, like a hero In conclusion, the books in the things people could have learned. or an important person. Also, many English Festival provided people with The books are influential because people don’t understand being in good influences, new understandings, they let people learn lessons. For conflict with parts of oneself just as the and a broader viewpoint. Many people example, in Enchanted Air I learned that American-Cuban family and Margarita learn new things or discover an aspect people can find a few rays of happiness in Enchanted Air. Therefore, the different of themselves in the books they read. and hope in dark lives. Also, in The viewpoints in the books help us get to Trying new books that are different is an War that Saved My Life, it showed that know others thoughts and feelings. interesting way to learn about yourself love can overcome anything. Lastly, Finally, the English Festival books and others. Therefore, the English in We Were Liars it taught people that allow people to have an open mind to Festival books helped people become they should pay attention to others new situations. In The War that Saved better individuals in the long run. and hold them when they are hurting. 16 A Festival of Writing 2017 Second Prize Essays

Wednesday Marissa Cashbaugh Canfield High School What We Leave Behind

beautifully as those she has written about others. Grandpa’s new house, from We Were Liars, is another wonder. Grandpa’s new house is built on the charred bones of the old house, but it is built on the remains of mere children with nearly pure intentions. The new Sinclair house is like the family, cold and empty, nothing remaining of the overwhelming love of a grandmother or the sweet bark of a golden retriever. It puts on a show, just like the whole family, that everything was fine, always had been fine – what lies. The symbolic nature of clean, dark house is overwhelming and plays into the spookiness of the novel. A dog collar should be left at the scene, signaling the loss of innocence and the desire to be free of one’s mind, much like a dog. The books chosen for the YSU than life beings – angels, giants, and Finally, the bell tower from All the English Festival 2017 created worlds seemingly, Guillermo’s demons, in Bright Places should be noted as a place so big they took your breath away and the form of the star-crossed lovers of great significance. The tower allowed characters so breathtakingly realistic who seem to fill his consciousness. the meeting of two people and twisted that it was hard not to fall in love with Guillermo’s studio is also the setting them until they were both on the same them. While reading these novels, of the cultivation of love – it reeks of level – one not better than the other. one feels deeply for the characters, love’s accidental toxicity and powers As equals, Violet and Finch were much and the setting begins to become to destroy, as well as build. Lastly, the more powerful. She may have been significant, as it is the context in which studio is a place of catharsis, especially unable to save him, but she was able the characters become tangible and for Guillermo and Jude, where an to see him for himself. I would leave human. Guillermo’s dilapidated studio, undeniable, “meant to be” connection a pair of eyeglasses at the bell tower, Grandpa’s new house, and the bell occurs. After the truth is set free, the signifying humanity’s ability to see the tower are only three of a multitude of affair revealed, and the ties binding the beauty in others – even the broken. “wonders” that are of great significance characters strengthened, the studio These novels see to the heart of and help the reader better understand undergoes a change. It begins to people. Through skillful use of setting, the characters. become tidied and full of people who one is able to see the world from their Guillermo Garcia of I Will Give You love and express themselves through perspective often different from one’s the Sun is a character crucial to the art. This change illustrates the life being own. People are simply people – resolution of both the novel and the breathed back into Guillermo, and charmingly flawed and beautiful. Just Sweetwine family. Guillermo’s studio consequently, into Jude, Noah and Dad. as a painting, the backdrop is often just perfectly characterizes Guillermo By understanding Guillermo, and his as important as the main subject. We himself. At the beginning, the studio studio, it is clear to see the rebirth of an are beautiful because of the lighting in is broken, battered by forces it cannot entire family. One of Diane Sweetwine’s which we are cultivated. control. Yet, it maintains a sort of books should be left at the studio, as twisted fantasy, a place full of larger finally, her story is told as clearly and

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Thursday Lianna Byler Conneaut Area Senior High School Flawed Humanity, Not Authors

Matters of opinion, bias, personal withhold the events she is missing and incomprehensive to certain history, and relationship to a topic from her memory. Both of the happenings during the book leading influence how people respond and tell aforementioned statements make not her to misinterpret the events not stories. Even in fiction, these factors only Cady but the reader oblivious to only for her own sake but also for the affect how characters speak to each the truths of that summer. Until the reader’s. The reader couldn’t always rely other, as well as to the reader. Two end of the book, the reader believes on her for the actual events because Festival books that come to mind when I that Cady’s friends are ignoring her the emotional trauma and treatment think about narrators with questionable and that her grandfather tore down his she endured in London affected her reliability on the portrayal of events are house. In actuality, Cady and her friends rationale, reasoning, empathy from Cadence from We Were Liars and Ada burnt down the house, but Cady was others and thus her narration. from The War that Saved My Life. the sole survivor. The realization made Despite the reliability of these The summer that Cadence was one question what other falsehoods I characters being rather suspect, it didn’t 15 she sustained serious injuries and believed. detract from the plot or story. In fact, head trauma. Not only does she have Ada was a child of abuse and it breathes life into characters because a case of amnesia, her injuries limit neglect until she was moved out of just as Cady and Ada interpreted, her physical and mental stamina. London during WWII, which led her sometimes misinterpreting, and were Throughout the book Cady spends to be distrustful of adults. She also biased, real life people, do the same. It’s days away recuperating and trying received no education because her a flaw of humanity, not the flaw of the to remember what she has lost. Her mother wouldn’t send her to school author or narrator. mother and extended family also due to her club foot. Ada was unaware

Friday Amber Pearce Greenville Junior/Senior High School Never Be Afraid to Try New Things

National Ambassador for Young The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen timeless quotes in the book, some that People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang, Yang was a big surprise to me when really stood out to me. “Sometimes a says, “Reading without walls means I found out it was on this year’s 2017 fight that you cannot win is still worth being open to new kinds of stories. English Festival book list. “It’s a graphic fighting,” (146) really stood out to me. It means reading books that others novel,” I thought. “Why would it be on This quote told me that even though might not expect us to like, that we a literature booklist when it isn’t even you cannot win at something that does ourselves might not expect to like. It totally a novel?” Never in my life had not mean you shouldn’t try it because means reading books with covers that I read a graphic novel, and I couldn’t the experiences and knowledge you show characters who don’t look like believe my first one would be for an gain from it really make the journey us. It means reading books in formats English Festival. I was not the least bit worthwhile. that may be unfamiliar.” Gene Luen interested in superheroes or reading Another book that came as a Yang said it himself. Sometimes your a book, primarily made of pictures! I surprise to me was Enchanted Air. The first impression on a novel will affect started to read the graphic novel, and, cover to me did not look appealing whether or not you want to read I admit, it was difficult to get into, at all, and I did not want to read such it. The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen but as I continued to read, my whole a boring book with no story. Also, Yang and Enchanted Air by Margarita perspective changed. Could I actually the book was written in verse! I did Engle challenged me with something have been reading a graphic novel? not want to read a book that I not unfamiliar, but, in the end, I actually And enjoying it? Suddenly, I could only didn’t like but was also hard to gained from this experience and learned not put it down! I continued to find understand! I started Enchanted Air, something new. 18 A Festival of Writing 2017 and I automatically loved it! Margarita’s Air fits the novel very well, and having content, you may never read it. In fact, poetry really stuck with me, and I read the book in verse added so much Enchanted Air became my favorite book, thank her very much for that. The way to the meaning of it. despite the cover. “Reading without that she describes how speaking two This year’s 2017 English Festival list Walls...” is an excellent statement to different languages makes her feel taught me that I should never judge a stand by for it allows readers to never be free and how it shouldn’t matter if you book by its cover, but rather the quality afraid when considering books to read. speak two languages really speaks to of its content. Covers of books should The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang me, also about today’s issues. How she mean nothing when deciding whether and Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle didn’t care if a “colored” person drank to read it or not, and you can’t count a taught me that I cannot be so quick to out of a “colored” water fountain or not book out if you’ve never read it. Sure, judge because if I do, I may miss out on showed me that she knows what she is the cover may provide information life changing novels. If you read books talking about. If more people were to about what that book is about, but that you are scared or hesitant to read, read her book, maybe the whole world if you would give a book a chance, let that be a good thing. Change and would view racism differently, like how it actually might change your life. If difference is good, and one should Margarita did. The cover on Enchanted you judge a book by anything but its never be afraid to try new things.

Third Prize Essays

Wednesday Trish Stull Maplewood High School Unforgettable Journeys

The 2017 English Festival book a book, a memento to compensate for smell of the ocean. I would visit the list explores various settings: from a the books lost in the library incinerated beach where Noah and Jude visit Chinese capital full of rising tension, a by the Boxers. over the summer. I can imagine Jude beautiful island tainted by history of Midwinterblood is a story of sculpting magnificent sculptures of bloodshed, and a cultured California immense tragedy and sacrifice. Blessed sand women that are ready to jump town surrounded by art. Boxers and Island, a Scandinavian island of ancient out of the ground and become alive. Saints, Midwinterblood, and I’ll Give origin, is tainted by the sacrifice of King Noah would be jumping off the cliff and You the Sun depict unique paintings Eirikr, who gave up his life for his people. diving into the deep sea, feeling free of different worlds, each worthy of an Walking through the church in the field from the pain of his mother’s death. exciting adventure. of dragon flowers would be a haunting Both siblings would bathe in the warm Boxers and Saints explores early 20th experience. The bed that Eric and Merle sunlight of California and feel good century China, struggling to unify as a were sacrificed upon would send chills to be alive, overcoming the tragedies nation. Foreigners have been infiltrating down my spine. The scent of the dragon they have experienced. I would leave the country, dividing civilians between flowers would be overwhelming. The a sunflower behind as a reminder for nationalists who vehemently oppose sacred Blessed Island would remind Noah and Jude to continue facing the West and outcasts converting to a me of the everlasting love of Eric and toward the sun and avoid turning back new and intriguing religion: Christianity. Merle, who reincarnated and sacrificed to their dark, troubled past. The Chinese capital, Peking, was a city themselves countless times so that they Boxers and Saints, Midwinterblood, of increasing diversity with traditional would meet again. As a tribute to the and I’ll Give You the Sun are three Chinese culture mingling with new lovers, I would leave behind a family books of completely different worlds. ideas from the West. I can imagine photo. The sacrifice of my friends and Exploring through a turbulent China, bustling streets filled with people from family is similar to Eric and Merle, who a haunting and beautiful island, and various backgrounds. Englishmen, did everything out of love. a bright, artsy town would be an American, Chinese and other I’ll Give You the Sun paints a setting unforgettable experience. Through my nationalities would be strolling through of a quirky California town, blessed by travels, I learned of diverse cultures, the streets. Despite the diversity of the a thriving culture of the arts. I would blood and sacrifice, and the beauty and capital, I can feel the tension that would wander through the art school, filled freedom of creating art. I would be rise to cause the Boxer Revolution. After with students carving statues, painting reluctant to leave the three worlds, but exploring the city, I would leave behind beautiful pictures, and admiring the my journey will never be forgotten.

19 A Festival of Writing 2017

Thursday Ariana DeLuca Niles Middle School Seeing All Sides of the Situation

In books, you hear a story from a Timothy thought it was stupid. You the narrators; however, we must keep specific point of view but have you ever don’t get to know why the Basset an open mind. We must remember that wondered if they were lying or leaving Hounds thought that their club would other people around the narrator may something out? If you were writing a be better as an all-boys club; we only think differently than the narrator. In story about yourself, would you want know that Frankie thought it was unfair. order to live thoroughly through the to leave something out? It is possible In these stories, we don’t hear both book, we must try to see all sides of the you might. It is also possible that a sides; so, who’s to say the narrator is situation because sometimes narrators narrator of a story might tell the story lying? tell a story influenced by their opinions differently than someone else because As readers, it is important to or agendas. they have been touched by a tragedy, become empathetic by living through abuse, or neglect. In this year’s required books, I found that two of the narrators may have told the story based on their agenda or opinions. In House Arrest, the narrator, Timothy, stole a man’s credit card in order to buy his brother Levi’s expensive medicine. He thought that it was the right thing to do and expresses so in his journal. Timothy saw his brother every day. He saw the way he suffered, the way he didn’t get to live a normal life. He was touched by him. When he laughed, it made Timothy happy. Timothy knew that if he didn’t get his medicine, he wouldn’t live, and he also knew that they didn’t have the money, so he did what he thought was right. Frankie may have also told the story in a way that is not trustworthy. She had an agenda. She wanted to prove that women were strong, specifically to the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. She wanted to prove to them that women could do the same things as men and do them just as well as men. She was appalled by the way women are viewed in society and the way people conform to society. She wanted to do something to change it. Her story may be told to make her look more clever than she actually was. Her story was meant to empower women, but her agenda could have made her story biased. In both cases, the story may have been limited by perspective of those narrators. You don’t know the reasons why the judge thought Timothy would benefit from house arrest, only that

20 A Festival of Writing 2017

Friday Hannah Kelly Valley Christian Schools-Lewis Center Connecting with Different People and Times

Books, when written, are not meant unnecessary and helped attend to The last book that was difficult for a single person. They are meant for my younger brothers for the entire for me to sympathize with was The an audience and audience is bound to amount of time it took me to read the War that Saved My Life. In the story, vary. Because an author writes for an book. Although my experience was not the main character’s mother doesn’t unforeseeable audience, the book he nearly as hard, it helped me to better love her and is cruel. Mine, however, or she creates may or may not connect understand both the story and the has worked extremely hard to make with the reader. This is true for some of character, and for that I am thankful. sure I can grow up happy. After a long this year’s English Festival books. Three The second book I had to struggle period of struggle with this book, I books in this selection were particularly fully indulging myself in was Miss finally connected with Ada through my hard to connect to: House Arrest, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. depression. Seeing how she recovered Peregrine’s…, and The War that Saved My The children in the story are (quite from her disassociation with the feeling Life. literally) stuck in time and I am growing of love, I was able to do so in a similar The first book House Arrest was up in a family whose only motto is fashion (granted mine has taken a bit written from the point of view of a “just keep swimming.” In the book, the more time). This has given me a passion young male boy in a financially unstable children live in the same day, repeatedly and inspiration for my own recovery and family, who is not particularly smart and in the same place for their entire I cannot be more thankful for that. (school wise or otherwise). The life lives. And they do this happily for the Although it was hard for me experiences I have had make it difficult most part. This aspect was the toughest to connect to each of these books to understand his struggles and for me to understand. I enjoy learning originally, I am joyful that I have been emotions. This is largely because I am languages, about new cultures and able to pull through. If eyes are the a female in a family that will help me have moved across the United States a window to the soul, I hope my soul is through college, who is known only as total of five times. I had never felt the ready to see even more new stories. “the smart one.” Of course, not being happiness of being “settled.” This book able to connect with Timothy’s story gave me a refreshing new look on how upset me. So I tried new approaches. others live their lives and I find that very I asked my parents for nothing interesting.

21 A Festival of Writing 2017 The Tribune Chronicle Journalism Workshop Prize-Winners

First Prize Articles: Wednesday

Interviewing E. Lockhart: Angsty, Painful and Honest Moira Armstrong Howland High School

“It’s a monumental time of life,” the world of literary criticism she’d been the realm of what Lockhart describes as young adult author E. Lockhart says studying to become an author. She now “advocacy and activism” in literature, an of teenage years. “You’re becoming has many published novels, including aspect unique from children’s and adult independent from your family, English Festival picks We Were Liars books. Young adult novels broaden the independent financially….” and The Disreputable History of Frankie conversation on controversial topics Lockhart spoke on Wednesday, Landau Banks, and awards to her name. with the potential to change lives or April 26, at Youngstown State University However, the struggles her characters even society. So, Lockhart advises English Festival to a group of high face range from mental illness to sexual aspiring authors who could be the next school students experiencing those violence; these issues take center to bring such change into the world, monumental changes and her message stage in Lockhart’s novels. Leading to a “Keep writing. Finish your book…lucky to them is simple: “It gets better.” writing process she calls, “…angsty and people enjoy their jobs, but even luckier Lockhart understands the truth of painful and honest.” people get to create something too.” this phrase – she describes herself as Her work not only provides a worst in her first college creative writing relatable and hopeful message for teens class but persevered and eventually left battling similar problems but also enters

22 A Festival of Writing 2017 Interviewing Megan Evans: Learning from Their Experience Jeremiah Hassel Fort Le Boeuf High School

concentration of poverty in the United The effect of that level of poverty States, with 49.7% of the population often transcends the physiological living below the poverty line. Megan needs of students and begins to Evans, a Youngstown State University affect other aspects of a student’s life. (YSU) senior and founder of Poverty According to Evans, “When you live in Awareness in Youngstown (PAYO) has poverty, you don’t have as much access dedicated her life to helping people, to books or a better education.” In especially those in poverty. effect, this creates a snowball effect that “When I learned the facts [about can even harm the motivation and self- poverty] here in Youngstown, I thought, esteem of students. “Why didn’t I know?” and “What’s After graduating from YSU, Evans been done about it?” says Evans. She plans to pursue a PhD in sociology proceeded to create PAYO in order at Penn State University. During her to raise awareness about poverty studies, she hopes to research the conditions in our own backyards and effects that poverty situations have to research solutions to poverty. Some on mental image and self-esteem in solutions even involve turning to the aid children. “I want to know how [the of the government. children’s] aspirations and expectations When speaking to participants at correlate to achievements and how the YSU English Festival this Wednesday, their environment impacts self-image April 26, she said, “Being able to explain and then achievement,” says Evans. “I poverty is hopefully going to impact want to be a professor because I enjoy Picture a small, seven year old boy politics … I hope to conduct research to the university and like to research.” walking down the sidewalk towards a impact policy.” As of this point in her life, Evans decrepit house that seems to swallow Being a triple major in English, says her greatest achievement is the all the joy in the world. It is the middle linguistics, and sociology has provided creation of PAYO. “The direct impact of winter and the earth is covered in a Evans with an array of research on kids in Youngstown makes this my light blanket of powdery snow. The boy opportunities into poverty within greatest achievement,” says Evans. shivers down the sidewalk in a tattered Youngstown. Evans discovered that In the end, Evans plans to continue hoodie and broken sneakers, heading about 98.2% of school students her legacy by helping those in poverty to a house without heat and very little attending public schools in or around through her research and future work. food. Youngstown are economically “You can’t blame a kid for being poor,” In today’s society, poverty affects challenged and are therefore eligible says Evans. But you can certainly help millions of people around the world, for free and reduced lunches within the them through it and learn from their including Youngstown, Ohio, which school system. experience, a motto Evans seems to live holds the record for the highest by.

TIPS FOR JOURNALISM ARTICLES • Prepare ahead. Research the author and plan your questions. • Think of a good lead—a one-sentence paragraph that will catch the reader’s attention. • Keep paragraphs and sentences brief and to the point. • Focus on what makes this person interesting and relevant. • Use active verbs and straightforward description. No fluff.

23 A Festival of Writing 2017 First Prize Articles: Thursday

Interviewing E. Lockhart: Telling a Good Story Cereese Blose Armstrong Junior/Senior High School

“It’s a psychological thriller, a E. Lockhart is a self-taught writer, digging into emotion.” When writing for style like We Were Liars,” E. Lockhart having only ever taken one creative teenagers E. Lockhart tries to remember admitted about her new book, writing course. “I was the worst in her audience might be reading about Genuine Fraud. The book is due to be the class. But I finished my books.” E. something for the first time. released on September 5, 2017, and Lockhart believes that finishing your “I don’t write in cynical ways about is about the wilting friendship of two first draft is the best thing young sensitive topics,” she remarked. “As a young women. It was revealed that writers can do. From there you can keep teenager you might be developing there will be character deaths in this rewriting. She likes to think, “What’s the different values that could be different upcoming novel. Genuine Fraud, like its worst thing that can happen?” and uses than the institutions that shaped you…. predecessor, We Were Liars, comes from the answer to drive her stories. “Usually That’s why teenagers are so interesting.” many themes from classic literature. I am writing a more difficult part of In a way, E. Lockhart is simply trying This is partly by the influence of E. myself,” E. Lockhart confessed. to just tell a good story. I’m positive Lockhart’s college students in her 19th She tries to make her writing that the honesty will show up in the Century British Literature class. as real and candid as she can. “The twists and turns of E. Lockhart’s new, young adult novels require …a deeper psychological thriller Genuine Fraud.

An Interview with Carl Leet: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Clara Hoffert St. Hilary School

Carl Leet, a recently retired veteran Leet started his career with many Leet has many impressive photos photographer, “came in the back still-life photos. “Photography is a through his career; most notably, a shot door” of photography. The successful people business,” explained Leet. It was of former President Barack Obama when technical photographer participated in intimidating photographing people. he visited YSU as a candidate. He has a press conference of young reporters The first photo that got him over the also been a photographer at the English Thursday, at the 2017 YSU English fear was a lone guitarist, standing under Festival for numerous years. Festival, and shared his experience with a streetlight. After that, his career as a Now, as a retiree, Leet enjoys photography. “people-photographer” took off. cooking, reading, woodwork, and As a child, Leet discovered “he was However, professionals can occasionally watching the sky as the not good with words.” Growing up just still learn new skills. Leet recalls moon rises and the sun sets. Leet’s a stone’s throw from the YSU campus, taking a class on exposure, which immediate goals include losing weight he had an unorganized, fun youth.” Leet completely changed his approach to and running a 5K. was a shy, unathletic child. To this day, photography. Leet admits, “I’m still Leet’s overarching advice for life? he admits his knowledge of sports is learning Photoshop today.” Another set “Show up.” Leet explained, “If you show knowing “a football has pointy ends of advice that changed his was to use up to work and education, you will and a basketball is round,” earning a SEG in photos: Setting, Expression, and undoubtedly succeed.” chuckle from the room. Once he started Exposure. “Your goal is to make your watching his father work as an amateur photos tell a story.” photographer, Leet discovered his skill with photography.

24 A Festival of Writing 2017 First Prize Articles: Friday

Interviewing E. Lockhart: 100% Feminist Brianna Phillips Springfield Local School

Emily Jenkins, better known as E. coming out September 5, 2017. The they need to finish projects. That is how Lockhart, came to the English Festival book is about a friendship between two she became an author. at Youngstown State University and young women with a toxic and even Lockhart is interested in love and talked to grades 7-9 on Friday, April 28. violent friendship. Lockhart stated that how it affects people. Lockhart writes Young adults from many schools asked her book “will not make you cry.” It is about strong young women. Lockhart Lockhart questions about her writing. a psychological thriller and it is sure to states, “100%, I’m a feminist,” and she Lockhart told the kids her novel We differ from her other books. says it affects her writing for sure. The Were Liars is soon going to be a movie. One thing Lockhart said was “I students enjoyed talking to Lockhart Lockhart stated, “I sold it to them and am not sending a message. If I had and they are excited for her book and they own it.” Lockhart also says that a message, I would write a sentence.” movie to come out. For more details they have a director in mind and a script Lockhart’s books are expressions of on E. Lockhart, check out her website in the making. her feelings both emotionally and emilylockhart.com. Lockhart also mentioned her intellectually. Lockhart told the upcoming book Genuine Fraud will be students that if they want to be authors

Interviewing Lillian Lewis: Absorbing Interactive Art Natalia Kresic Lordstown High School

It is that time of year again when college at Penn State University to get “Inside Joke Project.” She asked people kids from so many schools come to have her PhD. With the help of Dr. B. Stephen to send her videos of funny stories. She the English Festival experience here Carpenter, it made achieving this dream then created a fort, but to get into fort at Youngstown State University. This possible. Lewis said, “He doesn’t look you had to crawl into a tunnel. To her year the kids attended the journalism like a cheerleader, but he most definitely this makes it “a different way to look at workshop and got to interview a is one.” ar t.” professor and an interactive artist by the As an Academic Research writer, “Absorb as much fiction and fact as name of Lillian Lewis. Lewis loves to research art as well as you can and know the difference,” said Lewis, originally born and raised in make it. She started a project called the Lewis as she ended the interview. Texas, got interested in becoming an artist at a young age. When she was two her young aunt, Celeste Falcony, lived with her and would lie on the ground for hours making interactive art. This “made art feel valid, “said Lewis. After graduating from college, Lewis became a school art teacher where she found that she is “interested in what is going on in your head as you look at a piece of art,” said Lewis. She is interested in this because when you put out a piece of art, the viewer doesn’t know exactly how that piece of art made you feel personally. As life took its course for Lewis, she decided to pursue her dreams and go to

25 A Festival of Writing 2017 Second Prize Articles: Wednesday

Interviewing E. Lockhart: Finding That Connection Aleea Morrison Struthers High School

The YSU English Festival welcomes studying authors and analyzing their “I’ve never experienced sexual author E. Lockhart to speak during work, she was able to win awards violence, or gone through it. Once a press conference with students on including Amazon’s Number One Book I finished writing it I brought it to a Wednesday, April 26. of the Year in 2014 for her book We Were counselor who specializes in teens who E. Lockhart is a writer of young Liars. are survivors of sexual violence. She adult and children’s literature. Holding “I was inspired by Evelyn Waugh’s read it over because I wanted to make a degree in English literature, she enjoys book Brideshead Revisited to write We sure it was sensitive enough,” says writing for younger audiences. “I am Were Liars. The inspiration is apparent Lockhart. glad to write for both, young adult and throughout the book,” says Lockhart. Although Lockhart writes about children, mostly because children’s In Lockhart’s young adult books, sensitive topics, she wants to inform her books are short and young adult books she touches on topics that relate to her. readers that “It does get better.” take longer,” says Lockhart. In her previous books she touches on “Finding that connection of what I Graduating from Columbia mental illnesses, but in her new book, pull out of my head and put on paper, University, Lockhart had studied many which is coming out in fall of 2017, and knowing someone else feels the famous authors and philosophers. By Lockhart writes about sexual violence. same is important to me,” says Lockhart.

26 A Festival of Writing 2017 An Interview with Megan Evans: Working Toward “Impactful Policies” Madeline Bruce General McLane High School

The fact that Youngstown, Ohio, has of PAYO, or Poverty Awareness in November. This was Evans’ second a 49.7 per cent concentration of poverty Youngstown, which fundraises consecutive year receiving the award. was a fact unknown to YSU senior, and collects donations to benefit Although the student evaluated Megan Evans. Evans, who grew up in Youngstown City Schools. This year the effects of home ownership on the neighboring town of Boardman, PAYO collected a whopping 4, 721 low-income individuals, it benefitted had never known that such poor living books for their book drive. “I think PAYO the Youngstown Neighborhood conditions were so close to her home. is my greatest achievement,” Evans said Development Corporation more than This, perhaps, is what inspired her to about the organization. She is also it directed those with low incomes. study urban poverty and inequality confident in the organization’s future, It found how owning a home helps while at YSU. which will be in the hands of current people’s aspirations, confidence levels, Megan Evans started college with freshmen after her graduation. and sense of safety, which helps the the intent to major in civil engineering. PAYO is not Evans’ only successful YNDC make neighborhoods of choice. However, as the start of her freshman effort to help the impoverished YNDC also received more funding year approached, she began dreading in Youngstown. Last summer she because of the research. college. So, she changed her major conducted research with former For the future, Evans plans on and ended up with a triple major in student of YSU and one of last year’s attending Penn State to pursue a PhD sociology, linguistics, and English. At speakers at the English Festival, Ashley in sociology to teach at the collegiate this year’s English Festival, she spoke to Orr. The presentation was entitled “An level and to continue her research. students about these studies and future Assessment of the Effects of Home She believes that in order to make an goals. Ownership on Low Income Individuals.” “impactful policy” research must be “I think I always knew I wanted to It won the Best Undergraduate Research done and because she wants to help help people,” Evans told the students. Award at the Association for Applied people, she will continue researching That’s exactly what she’s done in her and Clinical Sociology Conference in urban poverty and inequality. time at YSU. She is the co-founder

Second Prize Articles: Thursday

An Interview with E. Lockhart: Exclusive Details on Her New Book Addie Flowers South Range Middle School

E. Lockhart, winner of the Goodreads Choice Award and Best Young Adult Fiction Award, came to visit the YSU English Festival on April 26-28 to speak to young readers about her work. In an interview with a group of students, she spoke about many aspects of her writing and gave an exclusive sneak peek as to what her new book Genuine Fraud is about. Similar to We Were Liars, another one of her novels, Genuine Fraud, is a psychological thriller, meaning it emphasizes the unstable psychological state of its characters. When asked

27 A Festival of Writing 2017 about it, Lockhart gave an excited, books, she revealed that while she myself a very tricky structural task, and “Thank you for asking!” before launching doesn’t usually kill people off she does it is one that I didn’t know for sure that I into a description of the book. so in Genuine Fraud. would be able to pull off.” “My new book is called Genuine When questioned as to which book On Goodreads, Genuine Fraud is Fraud. It comes out September 5, 2017,” she was most proud of, she paused for a described as “The story of a young she said passionately. She continued while and then laughed saying, “That’s woman whose diabolical smarts are a on to state, “It’s the story of two young like picking between your children! I ticket into a charmed life.” women and a very intense friendship guess I’m most proud of Genuine Fraud, For more information about E. that goes very, very wrong.” the one that’s coming out in September, Lockhart or to preorder her book visit Later when asked about how she because it is told backwards. I set emilylockhart.com. felt when killing off characters in her

An Interview with Carl Leet: A Good Picture Katie Nichols South Range Middle School

Carl Leet, a now retired was always learning new techniques. photographer, spoke to the students I learned Photoshop and am still,” participating in the English Festival says Leet. He also emphasizes the on April 27, 2017. He voiced his importance of being punctual. opinions, stories, and advice to future “Show up. If you want to be photographers. successful in photography, you’ve got to Leet was inspired by his father, show up.” who was also into photography. Leet “A picture has to have three started working as a photographer in elements: setting, gesture, and 1981. Since then he has photographed expression,” Carl explains. weddings, the outdoors, public events, “A good picture is one you can’t and even renowned people such as memorize; you want to go back and former President Barack Obama. experience everything again.” On Leet’s journey through Leet’s inspiration for photography photography, he learned new is the people around him, the scenery techniques to improve his photographs around him, and most importantly, his as well as meeting new people. boss. “I learned about exposure, and “As a working photographer, your exposure changed my career.” theme is set by your boss.” Carl’s advice to beginner Carl Leet retired in 2011 and still photographers is to keep learning. “I continues to do photography today.

28 A Festival of Writing 2017 Second Prize Articles: Friday

An Interview with E. Lockhart: Sharing Prolific Tribulations Grace Persing Struthers Middle School

There’s always been something and the novels of the young notable in the evolution of writing adult community – Lockhart and the means in which authors find says, “Rather than being their niche. Author E. Lockhart is a competitive they’re excited” perfectly fit example. She’s created as many of these authors find an opus of contemporary young purpose in exposing their adult literature housing 45 books and beliefs and opinions to the counting. Genuine Fraud will be the 46th impressionable minds within incendiary novel published September their demographic. 5, a sure score if it’s at all like her last Though Lockhart claims psychological thriller We Were Liars, an there is “no message” in her incendiary tale that throws readers for novels, they are still brimming a loop. with meaning. Books like hers The novel’s story is impressive but provide a form of escapism, so not nearly as enticing as Lockhart’s well written our world could vivid parlance and seditious theme. meld to the one she’s created. Penny Sinclair, the main character of It’s a rare gift writing in We Were Liars, is a very privileged girl, a way where beauty eclipses and not necessarily a nice one. Though the tribulations undergone her character can easily tempt disdain, throughout a novel. A the egregious act she endures plays at wonderful novel to come from empathy. the prolific author E. Lockhart. A controversial theme found coloring many of Lockhart’s novels

An Interview with Lillian Lewis: Absorb All the Fiction You Can Robyn Balk Southeast Middle School

Lillian Lewis at the YSU English into the arts? Lewis said, “Early on my Carpenter supported her through the Festival on April 28 says, “I’m a visual mom was a feminist and I expressed process of her getting her PhD. “He was artist. I’m always trying to find all interest in the arts and science at a my cheerleader,” Lewis says. different ways to figure out what’s going young age. My mom being a feminist She also had Sara Wilson McKay as on in an artist’s head – and I got to do was excited for me to be a woman a professor. “She pushed my ideas more that as a teacher.” of science. And when my love for art than I can push myself.” Lewis ended up Lewis was an art teacher at a public eclipsed that, she made peace with it dropping her class. school in Texas. As a teacher, she was and was supportive.” Lewis says, “Advice I have for young constantly asking students, “How did Also, when asked who the person(s) visual artists is to read. We have a lot you come up with that?” So she got a were who inspired her? Lewis said, of fake news these days and our youth very good idea for how some young “My youngest aunt was a visual artist needs to be able to tell the difference artists’ brains develop an idea. and when I was young, we’d make between fiction and reality. Absorb all And when she asked if her parents art. Also, my professor David Helton the fiction you can.” were supportive of her decision to go showed immense support.” Also, Steve

29 A Festival of Writing 2017 Third Prize Articles: Wednesday

An Interview with E. Lockhart: Finish the Novel Tyler Deidrick Crestview High School

At Youngstown State University This year’s lecturer is E. Lockhart, Lockhart answered many questions this week, students from areas across author of We Were Liars and other about her experiences as an author and the state will be participating in the 39th pieces of young adult fiction. She is a advice for young writers. A common annual YSU English Festival. The Festival graduate of Columbia University, where theme existed in her advice - “Don’t stop is an event celebrating literature and she earned a doctorate in 19th Century writing.” writing, centered around a list of books British Literature. This is Lockhart’s first To one question Lockhart told the students read before the event. While year attending the YSU English Festival. group about a creative writing class she there, students participate in writing In an interview conducted by took where she felt like the worst writer workshops, creative writing games, and students attending the Festival, she in the room, but she was the one who listen to lectures from authors and other described YSU’s particular event as more became a professional author of fiction. important members of English fields. All academically oriented in comparison The difference, she said, was that “she students also hear the Festival’s Thomas to other festivals, which she compared finished her novel.” and Carol Gay Lecturer speak, usually an to Comic-con. In this same interview, accomplished writer and the author of one of the books on the event’s list.

30 A Festival of Writing 2017 An Interview with Megan Evans: You Can Do It Alexis Shannon Reynolds Junior/Senior High School

Youngstown, Ohio, has one of the “I grew up in Boardman and had Evans is graduating this year with highest rates of poverty in America with no idea that this was happening in my a triple major in English, sociology, and every two out of three children living in backyard.” linguistics. She wishes to continue to poverty. Current YSU student Megan PAYO, Poverty Awareness in make a difference in policies through Evans co-founded an organization with Youngstown, is an organization that her research because “That’s the way hopes of lowering that number three targets lower level students and you get things done.” years ago. families in the community. This year Along with cofounding PAYO Evans had the opportunity to speak they focused on dental hygiene and and earning a triple major, Evans is at the 39th annual YSU English Festival donating books. By reaching out to YSU also the president of YSU Honors about her program, research, and professors and students, Evans was able College Trustees. Her dedication and achievements on Wednesday, April 26. to donate approximately 4,721 books to achievements inspired the group as “When I learned about that families in need. she told them “Don’t be discouraged by [Youngstown’s poverty rate], it made me “I love seeing the direct impact anything. As long as you believe you want to find out why and help,” Evans there is on the students. “Her face just can do it, you can do it.” said of her inspiration. lit up,” Evans recalled as she told of telling a girl that the books were hers to keep.

31 A Festival of Writing 2017 Third Prize Articles: Thursday

An Interview with E. Lockhart: Author Creates a Writer’s Paradise Macey Mendoza Reynolds Junior/Senior High School

One of E. Lockhart’s most successful before deciding that it wasn’t right energy to be in rooms with readers and works began at a rundown café in for her. When she graduated from students. Brooklyn, New York. The Fall Café was the university, she became a serious E. Lockhart will soon be adding across from Lockhart’s kids’ school in fiction writer, crafting several popular another book to her wildly popular downtown Brooklyn. It was 2:00 pm novels, including We Were Liars and The list of works this September. “I’m most and Lockhart had one hour before she Disreputable History of Frankie Landau- proud of Genuine Fraud, the one that needed to pick up her children. She Banks. is released this September 5,” Lockhart walked in, bought a sour coffee, sat “It’s like turning up the scale of one excitedly said. Genuine Fraud is a down on the drink strained couch, and part of my mind,” Lockhart said as she psychological thriller about two women opened her laptop. She brainstormed described the motive behind the main whose intense friendship goes terribly for one hour, mostly writing about how character in The Disreputable History of wrong,” Lockhart described. Genuine she didn’t know what to write. With Frankie Landau-Banks. Fraud will be released September, 5. five minutes left, Lockhart had hit a When asked about her style of As the closing of the session drew homerun. She composed the summary writing, Lockhart responded, “I don’t near, Lockhart revealed that aspiring of a book in a short list, closed her tend to write in a jaded or cynical way.” authors should always finish their laptop, and picked up her kids. We Were Lockhart also answered that she projects. “Finish your projects,” she Liars was born that day. loved teenagers because they are still laughed. “No matter how stupid or silly!” E. Lockhart is a successful author changing and discovering who they are E. Lockhart was a wonderful who has published many well known as a person. “Identity is an endlessly addition to the 2017 Youngstown State stories. “I try to get the inside of my interesting topic for human beings,” she University English Festival, and her fans head onto paper in the form of a mused. were honored with the chance to meet story,” Lockhart explained with a smile. When Lockhart was asked to her. E. Lockhart is an inspiring author Lockhart had been on the path to describe her view on the Youngstown that has built herself a writer’s paradise becoming a 19th Century British Novels State University English Festival, she and will not soon be forgotten. professor at Columbia University said she enjoyed it and that it gave her

An Interview with Carl Leet: A Picture Worth a Thousand Words Riley Britt Beaver Local Middle School

On Thursday, April 27, students He told students about the things picture in an article must be “structured from many school districts excitedly he has learned through his career as a like a sentence, in that it must show headed to YSU to attend the 39th annual photographer. He pointed out the way the subject of the story and what has English Festival. Some students had to have a good picture is to capture happened.” the opportunity to attend a journalism the three elements in it which were – a Mr. Leet’s passion about his area workshop in which they got to setting, a gesture, and an expression. of work was very clear to the students interview and write about a retired YSU With the use of those three elements, listening, allowing them to connect to photographer, Carl Leet. Leet says that any picture can tell a and understand his stories very well. As students expected to learn many story. As the students left that day, they had techniques about how to use their The students also got the chance realized that the world of journalism words effectively in writing, what they to ask the photographer further and storytelling was far bigger and learned was far from that. Mr. Leet was questions and many inquired about the more complex than they had thought. able to open students’ eyes about a use of photography in journalism. Carl Students, thanks to Carl Leet, now whole new way of storytelling. Leet told students that the job of the know that there is another way to tell He explained, “I wasn’t good photographer in journalism is highly stories and express feeling, and it was with words, so by using pictures with important. Many times it can be the through a picture. As Fred R. Barnard different shapes and shadows, I was pictures which get people interested said before, “A picture is worth a able to tell stories a whole other way.” about the article. He says that the thousand words.” 32 A Festival of Writing 2017 Third Prize Articles: Friday

An Interview with E. Lockhart: A State of Mind Judy Landsberger Springfield Intermediate School

E. Lockhart describes writing a the least skilled writer. She credits her She also shared creative influences. novel as a “big, complicated, messed up, success to persistence to finish her Lockhart describes her writing as “very, confusing thing.” Young adult fiction novels. The biggest challenge she faces very layered with literary influences.” author E. Lockhart visited Youngstown as a writer is “financial uncertainty,” says For example, Lockhart shared that State University on Friday, April 28, to Lockhart. her novel Fly on the Wall was heavily conduct a news conference and share She described the popularity of We influenced by The Metamorphosis by her experience as a writer. Were Liars to be a “pleasant surprise.” Franz Kafka and the Spiderman comics. E. Lockhart discussed getting She discussed the things and people She discusses finding inspiration. She started in the writing world. “It seemed that have influenced her as a writer. Her said to put yourself in the way of finding like getting published was a faraway father was a playwright and she said an idea and describes it as “a state of dream,” says Lockhart. She said her best she “grew up in the back of a theater.” mind.” advice to an aspiring author is “to finish According to Lockhart, her theater E. Lockhart will be back on the road your projects.” background taught her to explore again soon and onto the next project. She took a creative writing class characters and other parts of writing. in which she claimed to have been

An Interview with Lillian Lewis: Read Your History Katie Mitchell Jackson-Milton Middle School

On Friday, April 28, YSU staff One of Lewis’ projects is a hands- on member Lillian Lewis speaks to English piece called the “Inside Joke Project.” Festival participants on her work. Lewis It takes many people’s stories that are is an academic researcher and writes funny and shows them to viewers. about art based research, notions This is meant to draw conclusions on of community, and human centered how people “interact with works of art things. Lewis says a main focus is to find differently,” says Lewis. out “What’s in our head when in an art Lewis gives advice for anyone who museum.” wants to go into journalism, or writing, Lewis is from Texas and was or even art. “Read your history,” she says. introduced to the region when she “You can’t be a great artist or writer or attended Penn State University. She musician if you don’t read.” Although says the environment in the Northeast it is challenging, anyone can do what region is a huge inspiration to her work. they want even if defying others. Lewis This further led her to Youngstown and tells how her mom pushed her towards its “moderate cycle and way of life.” science but later let her do what she Lewis speaks about her many loved - art. inspirations like her Aunt Celeste Lewis is a passionate person who Fultony, who as an art student helped can inspire many others to do what her in her young years with art. they love and to find answers if they are Additionally, her professor David Helton curious. helped her with her passion for art.

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“WRITE LIKE GENE LUEN YANG” Graphic Essay Contest

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Catherine Buchanan and Jenna Ronchi Venango Catholic High School First Prize

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“WRITE LIKE GENE LUEN YANG” Graphic Essay Contest

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Paige Gaskins Gaskins Homeschool First Prize

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JEREMY SALVNER Memorial Music Awards

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FIRST PRIZE John James Martin Western Reserve High School

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FIRST PRIZE Torrance Gaskins and Paige Gaskins Homeschool

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The English Festival Writing Award for Teachers The English Festival Writing Award for Teachers was established to reward teachers for excellence in writing about and in response to the YSU English Festival. The submission may be centered on a Festival book, Festival author, and/or Festival experience. The entry may be personal, reflective, and/or critical in purpose. It may utilize experiences of the Festival, the reactions and responses of students, and/or outside critical or popular sources.

First Prize Article

Bridges Marcia Skidmore Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts

There are days in education that “I liked the ending, I hated the find me living inside of disappointment. ending, I would change the ending.” She This year the opportunity of a new muttered in confusion. experience helped me escape on the “No, he can’t!” they cried. wings of hope. “Oh, yes, he did.” I cautioned. We gathered a group of readers. “I MUST REREAD We Were Liars Readers captured by the pages of a because she DID NOT end it that way,” book. said the teacher down the hall who was Every week my readers warmed my pulled into the book by talk in the halls. heart by arguing over plot. Preparing for the festival was about Predicting the next words. listening, diving deep into text, asking Declining to stop, begging to questions and taking risks sharing reread. answers. So we thought we were ready We gobbled cookies and gathered to take Frankenstein out to dance. But around recess minutes. We were lets face facts, we had no idea how to caught, lost in books at the most prepare. There are a few things we will inconvenient times – like in math definitely do next year to get ready. class. I was buried by too much daily Read the books. Check. Discuss the indifference and then, one of my readers Marcia Skidmore books. Check. What else should we do? told me she was an author and would English Festival Writing Award for Teachers winner I read her book (and I did). Next, one Miller South School for the “Mrs. Skidmore! We headed for of my readers handed me a handmade Visual & Performing Arts our session walking to what was the bookmark with “a book is a dream you wrong building, got lost, and ended up hold in your hand” inscribed carefully More accurately, it was our first in the right building!” Who knew we over a lovely watercolor wash. And I felt year and an experiment . . . and I was had directionally challenged students like a red balloon someone declined to like the mad scientist. We created a who could read any book but could tie a string, knowing it could never be Frankenstein! Our readers came to not read a map to save their lives. Next tied down. They were scribbling on the the skidZone (my classroom) and they year we are investing in GPS apps for walls of my heart with sharpies all their began to speak in skidzonese. all our phones. HERE We Go. Price: favorite books and all year my mind was “How would you change the Free. Finding your workshop room: crowded with the books that turned the characters?” she argued. Priceless. We might even go to a Girl challenge on me to read without walls. “What made the plot move?” I Scout Orienteering workshop to earn We talked about finding that book that asked. our badge and prove that we can would elevate us to new experiences. “That was NOT the climax,” she navigate a college campus with success. And I read a graphic novel with an open agreed. mind for the first time. 37 A Festival of Writing 2017 “Mrs. Skidmore! We are going to go and watch you so excited you’d finish create our summer reading program. buy some lunch!” Ten minutes later . . . my sentences. Read all the books you really want to read. Across that bridge the experience Choose a book suggested by a person “OMG they have a candy store! will splash all over the walls of your who looks a LOT older than you. Read And all they sell is candy!” Our second perspective. a book about a character who doesn’t preparation will be to have lunch look or live like you. Find an author or together during the school year and The Youngstown English Festival topic you haven’t read before. Pick a joke review the food groups. We could took all the abandoned words of my book. They will keep you laughing. We at possibly read together Gregory the dreams and found a place for them Miller South would like to do something Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat. again. a little different with summer reading. We would like to encourage a love of “Mrs. Skidmore! There are BOOKS I can’t wait to come next year and reading. No summer projects because for sale! I don’t have enough money!” walk across that bridge again. we will celebrate those books when Oh honey, you will never have enough we return in the new school year with money for all the books you want to I think the most profound effect sharing activities and joy. I must confess buy. My girls inhale books. So before of this experience goes beyond the we did put a short suggested reading the next festival we will need to rob a readers we brought to Youngstown. list at the end because frankly, I’m in bank if we have any hope of getting Together as a staff, we are excited to that category of a person who looks enough books. It’s that, or review with change our summer reading program a LOT older than those kids! And that them, “What is a library?” in our building to the basic concept is what the Youngstown experience of Reading Without Walls. It will be is about. Impacting our readers who This experience at the festival changing from a prepared list to a self- participated, changing the educators ended on the bridge on my way back select program urging these students who attended and through that to my car. True story. A young father to find books for entertainment, for experience moving in a positive way walked with his toddler. She had long information, for careers, for connections. how we look at reading, teach reading blonde hair that refused to curl and her In order to foster a love of reading, and spread the love of reading. father’s hand clutched tight. summer reading will combine Reading She asked, “What is this?” Without Walls with ideas from noted I can’t wait to come back next year “A bridge.” he replied. reading specialist Kylene Beers and and walk into my classroom again. “Where does it go?” she asked. I wanted to answer her. “To a wonderful adventure!” If I could tell you about where that bridge led, I would look through my student’s eyes that day. I would tell you about a spider web of ink that stretched from page to page entangling my students as they wrote essays and played with limericks. I would tell you about authors trapping our attention. Across that bridge you would see me whispering to the wind new ideas discovered by my students. That bridge will take you to a day that juggled my student’s fears, careful not to drop their concerns and see them joyfully catch a new book title to hug close with anticipation. I would show you where these books spread their roots at my student’s feet, sinking deep into their thoughts. Each room they walked into, they seemed to try their curiosity in the lock and it opened our minds to more of the world. I would take you across this bridge, like I did my students, and start this day The English Festival Writing Award for Teachers winner, Marcia Skidmore, in the Skidzone with her students from Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts.

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39 E. Lockhart Gene Luen Yang Kaitlyn Huff For more information on National Ambassador for Grade 10 this speaker, please visit Young People’s Literature Niles McKinley High School First Prize “Supported by Every Child a Reader and the Library of Congress”

Julie Pham Grade 7 St. Patrick School, Kent First Prize 2017 Edition A Festival of Writing fromPrize-Winning the Thirty-Ninth Annual Essays

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY Youngstown State University GS ENGLISH FESTIVAL FESTIVAL Featuring FOUNDED 1978 The Thomas and Carol Gay Lecturer E. Lockhart The James A. Houck Lecturer #YSUEF2018 Gene Luen Lang @YSUEngFestival 10th–12 th Grades Wednesday, April 26, 2017 7th–9th Grades Thursday, April 27, or Friday, April 28, 2017 9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Kilcawley Center Youngstown State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age, religion or veteran/military status in its programs or activities. Please visit www.ysu.edu/ada-accessibility for contact information for persons designated to handle questions about this policy.