A couple of contests

Best Passages in Children's Books, hosted by Nancy at Journey Woman. There are categories for funniest passage, passage with most poetic use of language, and most memorable passage, and there are prizes, too. Entries need to be in by Sunday, November 5 at midnight. Thanks to Fuse #8 for the tip.

And trying to hunt down a copy of The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems, the new compilation volume which is one of the nominated titles in the Cybils poetry category (which means it's my duty to read through and review but which is nowhere in my library system, perhaps because it's so new), I paid a visit to the Barefoot Books website, where I found out that the friendly and no doubt barefoot folks at Barefoot Books are running a poetry contest for children. Entries due on or before December 31. Kelly at Big A little a has a glowing review of the book here.

Homeschool contest: Tell your favorite American history story

and you just might win a prize!

If this sounds like a fun way to kick off your family's new school year, not to mention a nifty writing assignment for the kiddies, Jennifer Armstrong, author of the new history title, The American Story, wants you. Details of Ms. Armstrong's new contest just for homeschoolers are here, and as she writes, "Have fun! Writing about history is a blast!" Ten winners will receive an autographed copy of the book.

And did you notice that Jennifer Armstrong's new blog is called Just for Homeschoolers? Color me impressed.

UPDATED to add: I'm feeling even more colorfully impressed this morning.