METAMORPHOSIS WRITING CONTEST

A famous story called “The Metamorphosis” was written in the early 20th century by Franz Kafka. (A metamorphosis is a “complete change,” as when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly). Kafka’s story is about a man who wakes up in bed one morning and finds himself changed into a giant cockroach! Imagine what it would be like to suddenly wake up as another creature. How would you feel in this creature’s body? What would you look like to yourself? What would you do? Your senses might be changed, so how would the world around you seem different? How would other people, your family for instance, react to you? What would eventually happen to you?

This was the task of imagination presented to young authors between the ages of 10 and 17 this past summer for the Providence Public Library’s Metamorphosis Writing Contest, which was sponsored by the Friends of Rochambeau. Originally, there were to be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize winners in two age categories. But after reviewing the ten entries, our judge, author Ryder Windham, was so impressed with each story that he decided to declare all of them winners. On Saturday, September 6th, the authors attended an Awards Party at the Rochambeau Branch. Cupcakes and lemonade were served, and each author was awarded a $20 gift certificate to Borders Books.

These are the winning entries. Click on the author to read the story

JESSICA BECKENSTEIN Age: 10 (Horse)

SYLVIE MAYER Age: 12 (Garter Snake)

REBECCA KAPLAN Age: 10 (Rat)

MADELINE MAHONEY Age: 10 (Ant)

LEHIDY FRIAS Age: 12 (Bird)

MEAGHAN LAWRENCE Age: 11 (Spider)

TAMARRA WASHINGTON Age: 13 (Cat)

KIM DALTON Age: 10 (Red Panda)

MICKAELA DALTON Age: 10 (Fennec Fox)

ARIANA CALLENDER Age: 10 (Butterfly)