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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW In a world where almost everything is now available in a digital form, it's becoming more and more rare to see the latest elementary school generation taking the time to enjoy hardcovers and paperbacks. The students are Mapleshade Elementary are bucking that trend and they demonstrated their passion for literature by participating in the Massachusetts Letters About Literature contest earlier this school year. The fourth grade classes in the school are normally the ones who participate in the contest, according to teacher Deborah Barry. Last year, when student Michael Hampton was a fourth grader, he received an honorable mention for his work. Letters About Literature is a national reading and writing promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library Congress. The state-level contest is hosted by the Massachusetts Center for the Book at Simmons College. To participate in the contest, students write letters to authors, living or deceased, whose books made a difference in their lives. Open to students in grades four through 12, Hampton decided he wanted to write another letter this year. He received first place in the state for his letter to Greg Mortenson, author of "Three Cups of Tea." Broadcaster Tom Brokaw said, "'Three Cups of Tea' is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson's dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.'" Hampton wrote that the book taught him about the people in Pakistan and how generous they can be, and that "the best way to fight terrorism is not to fight back with more force and weapons." "The book was about kids like me who want to learn but don't have a school, and [Mortenson] wanted to help them," Hampton said. With his outstanding letter, the fifth grader moved on to the national level, where he became one of only 18 winners selected from over 59,000 entries. For his excellent letter, Hampton received $1,000 from the Center for the Book to donate to any public library of his choosing. He chose to give it to the library inside of Mapleshade. "The town library has 20 rooms of books," Hampton said. "This library needed it." "He's a big hearted young man," Hampton's mother said. His parents are Joyce and Steve Hampton. Last Wednesday, Kristen O'Connell, assistant director of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, and Sharon Shaloo, executive director of the Massachusetts Center for the Book, visited Hampton at Mapleshade to present his award. He was also presented a citation from Rep. Angelo Puppolo by Superintendent Edward Costa. "Reading provides a sense of pleasure and power," O'Connell said. "Michael embodies what we hope for in all children." Hampton's name and school are currently listed on the Library of Congress' Web site (www.loc.gov) in the Letters About Literature section. | ||||||
