Pigeon Contest
Create a museum exhibit about Cher Ami and her heroic last flight. List the types of objects you would include in the display. Then write the information that will appear next to the display
Truce by Jim Murphy
Magic Contest
Do you think George did the right thing in giving up his magical powers? Answer this question in a well-organized essay.
The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol
Monster Contest
The writer J.R.R. Tolkein said, “I believe that legends and myths are largely made of ‘truth.’” What does Tolkein mean? What is the “truth” in the legends and myths surrounding creatures like giant squid and Bigfoot? Answer both questions in an essay. Use text evidence.
The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr
You Write It Contest
Read our interview with Zoe San Miguel. Choose a central idea and write a three-paragraph article about Zoe in your own words. Be sure to use quotes from our interview.
$25 Visa gift card
Gratitude Contest
Write your own poem about gratitude, using Jennifer Dignan’s poem as a model.
$25 Visa gift card
Blizzard Contest
Why was the blizzard of 1888 so dangerous? How did the time and place of the blizzard contribute to the danger? Answer both questions in a well-organized essay. Use text evidence.
Blizzard! by Jim Murphy
My America Contest
You belong to a group that would like to create a monument in Oklahoma City honoring Barbara Posey and the Oklahoma City Youth Council. Write a proposal for the monument. Include a description of what the monument would look like and why it should be made.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Fish Contest
An aquarium has hired you to help educate the public about what to do with a pet fish that can no longer be cared for. Make a short video or poster on this topic. Be sure to include why it’s important not to release pet fish into the wild.
Squirm by Carl Hiaasen
The Perfects Contest
Think about the challenges that Max from the short story and Marie Nash from this article face as kids in military families. How are they similar? How are they different? Answer in an essay.
Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
Spicy Contest
The owner of the Scope Bistro wants your opinion: Should she add spicy dishes to the menu—and if so, just how spicy should those dishes be? Write a letter explaining your point of view. Support your ideas with details from the infographic.
$25 Visa gift card
Noah Contest
Choose two character traits that Noah possesses. In a well-organized essay, explain how Noah demonstrates those traits. Support your ideas with text evidence.
Lu by Jason Reynolds
Giving Contest
Explain what makes the gifts Jim and Della give each other valuable. Answer this question in a short essay. Draw on the play and the informational text in your answer.
Very Rich by Polly Horvath
Kilauea Contest
How do volcanoes like Kilauea both destroy and create? Answer this question in a well-organized essay, using text evidence from both articles.
Volcano Discoveries by Dr. Tom Pfeiffer and Dr. Ingrid Smet
Valentine Contest
Naomi Shihab Nye writes that “Nothing was ugly just because the world said so.” Choose something not generally considered beautiful—like skunks. Write a poem or an essay that shows its beauty.
$25 Visa gift card
Monkey Contest
Read the passage on page 28 of your December 2018/January 2019 issue of Scope. Note the words and phrases in bold. They are vague—meaning they are not very descriptive. Follow the prompts in the blue circles to make the writing more vivid.
$25 Visa gift card
All contest entries can be e-mailed to:
Please attach entries as Word documents or PDFs, put the contest name in the subject line, and include the e-mail address of the entrant's parent or legal guardian.
Please note: We cannot accept Google docs.
You can also mail entries to:
"Contest Name" c/o Scope
P.O. Box
New York, NY 10013-0712
Read page 32 of the October 2018 issue of Scope. Pick one of Jason Reynolds’s three story starters and write an original short fiction story. If Reynolds picks YOUR story as the winner, you’ll get $100 and have your story published on Scope Online (plus prizes for your teacher and classmates)!