Do you love reading and talking about books? Are you the friend or the influencer with all the best book recommendations? Is your bookshelf a carefully curated trophy case of all your favorite reading adventures? Our annual Book Review Writing Contest is your time to shine!
# Write About Your Favorite Book & Win
During Jacksonville's Celebrate Reading Week 2027, four young writers will be awarded $100 in cash for writing the most persuasive book review. Submit reviews to your local Jacksonville Public Library starting December 1, 2026, through January 16, 2027. The contest is open to all K-12 public, private, and homeschool students in Duval County.
# Writing Prompt
# "What is your favorite book and why do you recommend it?"
Contest Rules
Is there a word limit?
How do I submit my entry?
Submit your entry via email to ilovebooks@coj.net or fill out an entry form at your local library by January 16, 2027.
If you email your review directly to ilovebooks@coj.net, please include your name, parent’s name, grade level, and contact information in the body of the email. To ensure judging is fair and impartial, we ask that you only include your name on the entry form or in the body of the email and not on the book review itself.
How are the four prizes awarded?
The best book review from each age group wins $100 cash.
- Group 1: Kindergarten - 2nd
- Group 2: 3rd - 5th grade
- Group 3: 6th - 8th grade
- Group 4: Grades 9th - 12th
The four first-place winners will be announced to the public at Family Reading Day on Saturday, January 30, at the Main Library where they will receive their $100 cash prize. Winners will be notified in advance to ensure they are in attendance.
Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) is a funding agent for the City of Jacksonville. KHA invests millions annually in children's and youth programs and services in Duval County.
Read Jax is a community effort to improve third grade reading scores of students in Duval County.
Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers is a citywide literacy challenge for students of all ages. Participants are challenged to read 20 minutes a day and to log their reading in BeanStack.
