With thousands of fantastic entries in the Scout Life 2024 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest, choosing the winners was tough. Here is the top essay from each age group.
8 AND UNDER CATEGORY
First Place: Annabelle D., 8, Cookeville, Tennessee
Have you ever read a really good book? My favorite this year was Sally’s Story by Bonnie Bader.
This book is about a little dachshund puppy, Sally, rescued by an animal hospital vet tech named Kat. The breeder didn’t want to care for Sally because she had problems. Kat rescued Sally because Sally wasn’t able to breathe. As a last resort, Kat brought Sally to her house to save her. Kat put Sally in a breathing bubble. The plastic bubble was designed to give her the extra puffs of oxygen that she needed. Sally started breathing! The dog took short breaths in and out of the bubble. Sally was safe for now.
Later, Sally had trouble breathing because the bubble got too small for her. Kat designed a bigger bubble that she could get into with her as Sally’s lungs grew and got stronger. Here’s a fun fact about Sally: she hated baths!
At the end of the story, Sally gets adopted by a woman named Bonnie. Bonnie has a house full of dogs named Jack, Zero, Ginger and Bella. Sally grew stronger and stronger while she made friends with the other four dogs!
I liked the book because it was a rollercoaster of ups and downs, with Sally getting better and then worse. I saw how strong Sally was. The book taught me never to give up and keep going despite challenging times.
I recommend this book because the book is heartfelt. Some parts make you want to cry when you feel for Sally, and other parts make you cry happy tears when she gets adopted. This book was one of the first chapter books that I read entirely on my own.
9- AND 10-YEARS OLD CATEGORY
First Place: Jillian C., 10, Frisco, Texas
This series was a gateway into an exciting world—a mix between The Hunger Games and Harry Potter! It was a book that grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go from start to finish. So, what was this series I read this year? It was The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann.
The key elements and characters taught me important lessons as I traveled through this world. These lessons made this the perfect book to open the door to a magical universe that pulled me into the rest of the series.
The first lesson this book taught me is that the world is boring without creativity.
We all live in a world full of repetition. But as the world of creativity opened up, it revealed color, excitement, and endless possibilities. The characters didn’t just survive—they flourished. The Unwanteds encounter talking stone statues, attend classes to master magic, and begin to shape a new world where imagination is power.
The second lesson is that learning makes the world fun and colorful.
Through their lessons, the characters begin to control their magic—not just for their own good, but to help others. They find joy in growing and discovering new things. The possibilities feel endless, and they begin to break free from the grayness of their past. My favorite magical character is Simber, the flying stone cat, who carries the characters on his back and helps them explore, laugh, and learn.
The third lesson is that while people can disagree, everyone has the power to choose.
Alex, the main character, is torn between his loyalty to his brother, Aron, and his love for the new world he’s helped build. Aron makes questionable choices—like creating a farm that only feeds the Wanted, leaving others with nothing. He stands against creativity, while Alex embraces it. Alex must decide what kind of world he wants to support.
He eventually makes a choice, but like most important decisions, it comes with consequences. Alex has to ask himself whether to live in the world with his brother or return to the one that inspired him.
This story made me realize that all choices come with challenges. There’s rarely a perfect option—just the path we choose and what we’re willing to give up for it.
11 TO 17 YEARS OLD CATEGORY
First Place: Michaela G., 16, Tupelo, Mississippi
This year, I picked The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, and I can confidently say it was the best book I read. The story follows siblings Evan and Jessie who, after a minor disagreement, end up in a full-blown lemonade-selling competition. The clever narrative blends humor with deeper themes like family dynamics, rivalry, and the challenges of growing up—making it not just an enjoyable read, but a truly memorable one.
What really struck me was how relatable both characters are. Evan, the older brother, is trying to navigate the tricky waters of fifth grade, while Jessie, his younger sister, is determined to prove she can keep up with—and even beat—him, despite being underestimated. I saw echoes of my own relationship with my sibling in their rivalry.
There were moments this summer when my brother and I challenged each other just for fun—whether it was in video games or a contest to make the best lemonade. Little did we know, we were echoing Evan and Jessie’s spirited competition!
Davies does a fantastic job capturing the emotions that come with competition. As the story unfolded, I found myself rooting for both characters, hoping they’d find a way to reconnect and understand each other.
One pivotal moment was when Jessie decided to sell her lemonade at a different location—it made me reflect on how important it is to see things from someone else’s perspective. It reminded me of a time my brother and I argued over who’d get the last slice of pizza. Like Evan and Jessie, we ended up finding a compromise.
The book also introduces smart financial lessons—like calculating costs, setting prices, and understanding profit margins—that really stuck with me. When I ran my own mini lemonade stand at a local community event, I found myself remembering the strategies Evan and Jessie used. While my stand didn’t spark a sibling rivalry, it did teach me some valuable real-world entrepreneurship skills.
The Lemonade War isn’t just about the lighthearted fun of summer—it dives into the emotional depths of sibling relationships, empathy, and personal growth. The vivid descriptions and engaging plot made me feel like I was right there with Evan and Jessie. On more than one occasion, I even laughed out loud—much to the surprise of my family!
In the end, this book beautifully captures the magic of childhood while exploring the real-life lessons that come with it. Reading it this summer was a joyful escape and sparked many fond memories of time spent with my sibling. If you’re looking for a story that combines adventure with meaningful life lessons, I wholeheartedly recommend The Lemonade War. It’s a book that perfectly captures the essence of summer fun, sibling rivalry, and the importance of understanding the people closest to us.
Be the first to comment