Westfield Library Foundation announces Children’s Book Writing Contest winners

Three stories selected in celebration of America’s 250th Birthday

The Westfield Library Foundation (WLF) has announced the winners of its 2026 Children’s Book Writing Contest, held in celebration of America’s 250th Birthday.

This year’s theme, “America’s Birthday Adventure,” invited participants to write about a child or teen who discovers a magical history book in the Westfield Washington Public Library and is transported on an unforgettable journey through American history.

After careful judging, the Foundation selected one winner in each of three age categories. Laney Serrahn, a sixth grader at Westfield Middle School, took home top honors in the Children’s Category with her book, The Dig, about three children who find a book that allows them to time travel to the Civil and Revolutionary wars.

This is the second time Serrahn has entered the Foundation’s book writing contest.

“I didn’t win the first time, but I had a ton of fun writing a book so I thought I’d try again,” she said. “I can’t wait to see my book on the library shelves. I hope a lot of people read it.”

Elisabeth Howard won the teen category with her book The Founding with Abi and Ben. She teamed up with 17-year-old Dana Jean Mansell as an illustrator. Howard is planning to study history in college so she can teach high school students about American history.

Finally, Kira Mueting captured the adult category with her book Star-Spangled Birthday Adventure. A fan of historical fiction, she wrote the book about her 9-year-old step-daughter, Eleanor, with the hopes that the book would encourage Eleanor and her friends to read. Mueting’s niece is planning to illustrate the book.

“I had so much fun researching all the historic characters in the book,” Mueting said. “I really hope kids will be encouraged to learn more about these brave and courageous figures when they read the book.”

All three winning stories will be published and added to the Westfield Washington Public Library’s collection during a special book shelving ceremony. All three authors also received a $250 prize for their efforts.

“We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of these talented authors,” Foundation Executive Director Erin Downey said. “We are grateful to live in a community that supports literacy, storytelling, and the joy of writing. We cannot wait to see what our writers create next.”