As part of the Lacey Loves to Read initiative, the North Thurston Public School (NTPS) is holding a teen writing and cover art contest for students from grades 6-12 with an entry deadline of Jan. 11.
Lacey Loves to Read is a community reading initiative encouraging NTPS students to become lifelong readers and learners. Activities include a district-wide bookmark creation contest, writing events and community involvement.
The contests are sponsored by Timberland Regional Library, NTPS, the City of Lace, and community partners.
Each year, a notable children's author visits to share insights on writing and reading, and foster a culture of reading in the school's community.
Children and young adult novel writer Varian Johnson is the featured author for 2025.
“Varian Johnson, this year’s best-selling author, explores interpersonal relationships in many of his stories. All contest entries should explore, include, or reflect themes of relationships between humans, and how our friendships and family relationships inform our identity/ies. All entries should be submitted with an all-ages audience in mind,” the contest’s website stated.
Johnson is the author of several children and young adult novels, including "The Parker Inheritance," which bagged both the Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards; the graphic novel "Twins," illustrated by Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book, and "The Great Greene Heist," an ALA Notable Children’s book and Kirkus Reviews Best Book.
Born in Florence, South Carolina, Johnson attended the University of Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Johnson also holds a Master in Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, Texas, with his family.
More details about the author can be found on his website.
Meet Lacey Loves to Read’s featured award-winning author Johnson on Feb. 13 for an author presentation and book signing event.
The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Koval Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Sleater-Kinney Road NE.
The free community event features a presentation from Johnson, as well as a book signing. There will also be a Browser's Books book sale on-site.
Read Around Lacey, an interactive literacy community adventure, involves kindergerten to fifth grade NTPS students.
The students will visit at least six businesses, read a paragraph to someone from the business, and listen as a representative from the business talks about the importance of reading in their line of work.
The contest runs from Jan. 17-31. Students shall turn in their maps to their teachers by Friday, Feb. 7.
Students who complete their maps are eligible to win prizes.
The reading program is done in partnership with the Lacey South Sound Chamber, the City of Lacey, the Lacey Timberland Library and local businesses.
The 2024-25 Lacey Loves to Read Bookmark Grand Prize winners were announced in the middle of December.
The Grand Prize winners are:
The Superintendent's Choice is the work of Lilian, a Grade 11 student from River Ridge High School.
“These students’ beautiful pieces were selected from hundreds of entries from around the district,” NTPS’s social media post stated.
According to NTPS, all winners will have their bookmarks printed and distributed at local schools, sponsor locations and the Lacey Timberland Regional Library.
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