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Winners Announced for 2026 WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest

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MADISON, WI -- Three young Madison writers were announced and recognized this week as the winners of Madison Public Library and Forward Madison FC's 5th Annual WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest.   

Since its inception, Forward Madison FC has been the community's club. This year's theme of Community in Action is extremely important to the club's values and reflects our partnership with the Madison Public Library. We're grateful to continue to be able to recognize the winners of this contest at Forward matches and congratulate these young writers on their accomplishments.

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Kyler Donovan, Forward Madison FC General Manager 

Eloise Anderson is the WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest Grand Prize Winner for 2026

Overall Winners:  

  • Grand Prize Winner: Eloise Anderson (16) for Cold Tea, Hot Kettle 
  • Runner Up: Alayna Yang (13) for  A Tuna Tale  
  • Runner Up: Olivia Lubcke (12) for Just A Tree 

Each winner was presented with Forward Madison FC gear at halftime of this past weekend's match. The winners will also receive a cash prize thanks to the Madison Public Library Foundation--the Grand Prize Winner receives $500, two runners-up receive $250 each, and three finalists receive $100 each.   

Finalists:  

  • Finalist: Betsy Lord (12) for  The People 
  • Finalist: Lottie Eidsath (9) for The Sprite of the Lake's Weekend Trip 
  • Finalist: Erra Ciarletta (17) for  I Am a Part Of Your Hill 

The Grand Prize Award-winning story this year, Cold Tea, Hot Kettle explored the unexpected bonds formed and uncovered when a small town's residents from different generations come together for a common purpose, embodying the contest's theme of Community in Action. Other stories from the top six explore themes of friendship, unexpected perspectives, and making a meaningful contribution to one's chosen community. All of the six winning stories are available to read online now at  madpl.org/youthvoices.  

It is such a gift to our whole community that so many young writers contributed original works this year! I'm grateful to our 2026 community judges for sharing their time and talents and, most of all, to the writers who bravely shared their voices on the theme of Community in Action. We were honored to be entrusted with your work, and we urge you to keep writing and keep being active in building our community!

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Abby Ryan, Youth Services Librarian at Central Library and Youth Voices Writing Contest Facilitator 

The WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest received more than 90 submissions from kids aged 6 to 18, all of which were read and carefully reviewed by a panel of community judges representing a wide swath of the literary community in Madison:  

  • Octavia Ikard, the Youth Ambassador for the writing contest and the former City of Madison Youth Poet Laureate 
  • Tenzing Manske, Forward Madison FC Goalkeeper 
  • Bianca Martin, City Cast Madison Podcast Host and Storyteller 
  • Lisa Hempstead, Library Media Specialist at Thoreau Elementary 
  • Collin McCamy, Forward Madison FC Defender/Midfielder 
  • Ash Gartler, 2025 Youth Voices Writer's Contest Grand Prize Winner 

Anthology Unveiling at the Wisconsin Book Festival 

WE READ Youth Voices Anthologies lined up in libraries

Although only six stories won prizes, more than 50 youth will see their work published in the 2026 edition of the WE READ Youth Voices Anthology later this fall. The anthology will be available at all Madison Public Library locations and at all Madison Metropolitan School District library locations. 

Featured authors will have the opportunity to pick up their print copies of the anthology on Saturday, October 17 in the Children's Area on the Lower Level of Central Library as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration.  

The book festival is honoring and encouraging these young authors with a short reception featuring light refreshments, coffee and a Q&A with the grand prize winner and two runners-up beginning at 9:30am. 

This event just oozes joy! Saturday is the biggest day of programming at the Wisconsin Book Festival's Fall Celebration, and the tradition of starting the day uplifting and celebrating younger voices in our community feels exactly right. It's impossible not to feel hopeful for the future after hearing their words. Their imagination provides perspective; their courage is inspiring; and their extraordinary talents leave us in awe every time.

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Jane Rotonda, Wisconsin Book Festival Director

Following the WE READ Youth Voices Anthology author reception, kids and families are invited to attend a youth-focused event hosted by the Wisconsin Book Festival beginning at 10:30am in the Youth Program Room on the lower level of Central Library.   

Read each of the contestants' winning stories and learn more about the community judges by visiting  madpl.org/youthvoices.   

The WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest is hosted in partnership with Forward Madison FC and the Wisconsin Book Festival. It is made possible thanks to the support of the Madison Public Library Foundation and generous literacy advocate Eve Galanter. 

Additional support for WE READ comes from: Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Roots & Wings Foundation, American Family Dreams Foundation, Jane Doughty / David Wood, and David Hall / Marjorie Devereaux. 

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About Madison Public Library 

With more than 1.3 million annual visitors across nine library locations each year, Madison Public Library's tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for 150 years. Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram. 

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