Westfield Library Foundation announces Book Writing Contest winners

Nine writers recognized for standout submissions

The Westfield Library Foundation (WLF) has announced the winners of the 2025 Children’s Book Writing Contest. The contest, held in April as part of Library Appreciation week, was open to youth, teens, and adults in Westfield. This year’s creative theme was “A Night at the New Library.”

In the Adult Category, third place was awarded to A Night in the Library by Maggie Hoover. Second place went to Raccoon Raucous by Samuel and Mindi Glenn. The first-place winner was Psst! William Bret, Over Here! by Karen Reist.

“We are blessed to have such a gem at our disposal,” Reist said of the library. “I wanted my story to celebrate this treasure, so I wove a variety of characters into my story, hoping they’ll evoke memories of readers’ favorite books and remind readers that our imaginations are limitless.”

In the Teen Category, third place went to Rolling Through the Library by Kinleigh Bounds. Second place was awarded to What Happens at Night When the Library is Closed by Veronica Amaya. The first-place winner was The Reading Harbor by Ainsley Hensel, a student at University High School in Carmel, who said, “I wanted to capture the feeling of books being a safe place and the idea that the magic of books is eternal.”

In the Children’s Category, third place was awarded to The Library Never Sleeps by Cole McCrory. Second place went to A Magical Night at the Library by London Reichel. The first-place winner was A Night at the New Library by Anna Rabadi, a fifth grader at Westfield Intermediate School.

“I was surprised and excited when I heard the news. It was really fun writing my story,” Rabadi said.

All three winners in each category will have their books published. In addition to publication, first-place winners will also receive a cash prize. A shelving ceremony will be held to commemorate their work once printed copies are available.