REACH Book Author Contest Winners

Hartford Public Library Park Street Branch @ the Lyric and SINA is proud to support the REACH Book Author Contest. The contest is a great opportunity for students in grades K-5 to write and illustrate their own story. Winners books can be checked out at the library. The contest began in 2022 and a total of 45 books have been published and put into circulation at the library. Click here for more information on this year’s contest.

2026 REACH Book Author Contest Winners: Secrets and Surprises Theme

      • The Story of the Lost Wallets – written and illustrated by Eliana Grace Alicea and Mia Elizabeth Quito, second-grade students from Maria Sanchez Elementary School. 
      • The Mystery of the Forest – written by Juan Mendez Ortiz and Christopher Perez and illustrated by Dafni Lopez and Jackeline Ortiz Velasquez, third-graders from Maria Sanchez Elementary School.
      • Spider Kitty – written by Yahdiel Caraballo and illustrated by Jacob Lopez Herrera and Anderson Ramirez, fourth graders at Maria Sanchez Elementary School.
      • The Quest – written and illustrated by Mercy HseeZar, a fourth grader at Maria Sanchez Elementary School.
      • Alexis and the Monkey Greg – written and illustrated by Jonathan Zamorano, a fifth grader at Maria Sanchez Elementary School.
      • The Stranger Danger Mystery – written by Isabella Venkatsammy and Jeremiah Lopez Cruz and illustrated by Jessica Wah and See Soy, fourth graders at EB Kenelly Elementary School.
      • The Unknown – written and illustrated by Carolyn Soto, Natalie Arias, and Arianis Declet, fourth graders at EB Kenelly Elementary School. In
      • Dany’s Journey to Calm – written and illustrated by Arnab Rana, a fourth grader at Betances STEM Magnet School.
      • Cherry and the Great Nut Mystery – written and illustrated by Viviana Bathina, a fifth grader at Montessori Magnet at Batchelder.
      • The Treasure Hunt – written and illustrated by Aarush Bajpai, a fifth grader at CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary School. 

2025 REACH Book Author Contest Winners: Community Heroes Theme

      • The Adventures of Coney – written by Romy Blanco-Faustini and Genesis Martinez and illustrated by Arianna Moyer-Washington and Meadow Sobolow, 5th graders from CREC Montessori Magnet School.
      • Bird Boy – written and illustrated by Aryash Gupta, Kindergarten from Betances Learning Lab Magnet Elementary School.
      • Books Galore – written and illustrated by Dhyanaa Satish Kumar,  4th grader from Glastonbury East Hartford Magnet School.
      • Letters to Heroes – written and illustrated by Jomyra R. Valentin, 5th grader from CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary School.
      • Lola the Community Hero – written and illustrated by Mayra Almodovar, 5th grader from CREC Montessori Magnet School.
      • Sophia Learns to Swim – written and illustrated by Neishle Guzman, 3rd grader at Maria Sanchez Elementary School.
      • The Transformers – written and illustrated by Anaya Gupta, 4th grader from Betances Learning Lab Magnet Elementary School.
      • Victor the Garbage Man – written by Dayanand Arulampalam and illustrated by Emmet Ennever and Jason Devaux, 5th graders from CREC Montessori Magnet School.
      • Will Tiara Feel Smart Again? – written and illustrated by Viyankhaa Satish Kumar, 2nd grader from Glastonbury East Hartford Magnet School .
      • Xyallah’s Mystery Illness – written by Natalie Reyes Mazaba and Sophia Stewart and illustrated by Alice Rodriguez Villanueva and Jayleen Diaz, 5th graders from CREC Montessori Magnet School.

2024 REACH Book Author Contest Winners: Disability Awareness Theme

        1. Alex – Written and Illustrated by Viyankhaa Satish Kumar
        2. All About Blindness – Written and Illustrated by Mercy Hseezan
        3. A Tale of Two Friends – Written by Jennyeliz Fontanez and Wilson Escalante, and Illustrated by Saniyah Feliciano and Daily Velasquez.
        4. Charlie and the Spelling Bee – Written and Illustrated by Myah Cruz
        5. Charlie’s Broken Leg – Written by Victor Rojas and Johnathan Velez, and Illustrated by Randy Gonzalez and Adrian Jimenez.
        6. Delilah has Dyslexia – Written by Aaliyah Lawrence and Illustrated by Jomyra Valentin.
        7. Don’t Deny It, Defy It! – Written by Kaiden Baptiste, and Illustrated by Kaiden Baptiste and Marley Williams.
        8. Fly Bird Fly? – Written and Illustrated by Olivia Leroux.
        9. Millie and Roofus – Written and Illustrated by Eliana Rios, Olivia Starr, and Ava Marques.
        10. My Voice – Written by Nathaniel Reid, and Illustrated by Nathaniel Reid, Danino Sgro, Jayce Thelwell, Micah Vernon, Jayvion Butler, and Zackary Perez.
        11. Rainbow Smile – Written and Illustrated by Anaya Gupta.
        12. Sparkle Sparkles – Written and Illustrated by Dhyanna Satish Kumar.
        13. The Cat with Three Legs  – Written and Illustrated by Ashly Tema and Joniel Navarro.

2023 REACH Book Author Contest Winners: Civic Engagement Theme

        1. Hungry Bob – Written and Illustrated by Dhyanna Satish Kumar
        2. Caring About the Ocean – Written and Illustrated by Bianca Boza Merino
        3. Stopping Light Pollution – Written and Illustrated by Sandrialys Rivera
        4. Yes, We Can – Si, Se Puede – Written and Illustrated by Melanie Perez
        5. The Hunger Heroes – Written and Illustrated by Anaya Gupta
        6. Never Fear to Volunteer – Written by Paula Sanchez-Barreto and Illustrated by  Mallory Velzaquez, Madison Malone, and Paula Sanchez-Barreto
        7. Alexandra Being a Hero to the Community – Written by Saymara Maldonado and  & Illustrated by Anthony Escalante and Saymara Maldonado.
        8. Keeping Tommy’s Animal Shelter Open – Written by Jayden and Kayden and Illustrated by Victor and Johnathan

2022 REACH Book Author Contest Winners: Earth Day Theme

    1. Runny the Bunny Recycles – Written and Illustrated by Dhyanna Satish Kumar
    2. Earth Goes Back! – Written and Illustrated by Henry Burns
    3. Saving the World – Slavando El Tierra Planeta – Written and Illustrated by Neymar Perez, Drenier Robles, Broshin Ortiz, and Ana Zamorano
    4. Saving the Luna Red Panda- Written by Ada Ploor and Illustrated by Ela Vega and Selena Brown