October 26, 2026:
Congratulations to all of our Youth Mystery Writing Contest participants!
Twenty-three young writers (ages 8-12) submitted original stories to our mystery writing contest inspired by The In-Between, a middle-grade novel by award-winning author Rebecca Ansari. We were amazed by the creativity, imagination, and suspense woven into each story.
Rebecca had the challenging job of reviewing these shadowy and mysterious tales and narrowing the field to the top four stories. She announced the grand prize winner and three runners-up during her visit to the library on Thursday, October 22. The grand prize winner was Ellie Polasik for “The House on the Corner of Maple St.” The runner-ups were Anika Wriskey for “Iceberg, Boat, and Me,” Viviana Chapman for “From the Past,” and Grace Heinrich for “The Multiverse House.”
A special thank-you to Rebecca Ansari for judging the contest. We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Laura Hammond, English teacher at Stillwater Middle School, and Kari Larkey, 3rd grade teacher at Lily Lake Elementary School. Several students shared that they encouraged them to enter the contest—runner-up Anika even dedicated her story to Mrs. Hammond! We deeply appreciate all teachers who inspire a love of reading and writing in their students.
Winner: Ellie Polasik
Ellie is a seventh grader at Stillwater Middle School who loves to read, write, draw, act, and dance. This isn’t her first time entering the library’s mystery writing contest—she’s entered twice before, making this win extra special!
Ellie has written lots of short stories, as well as longer stories with a friend. When she’s not dreaming up stories, she enjoys ballet and acting, and is currently performing in The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue.
At home, she has a sister named Ada and two dogs, Dalhi (Dalhia) and Jade. Some of her favorite reads include the Shatter Me series and The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle, a mysterious fantasy. Congratulations, Ellie!
Author Rebecca Ansari selected Ellie’s story as the winner! She praised the story for its “beautiful descriptions and voice,” noting that she felt she had “a real sense of our main character from the beginning.” And the ending? Rebecca said, “I LOVE the ending. Scary and incomplete in just the right way.”
Runner-Up: Anika Wriskey
Anika, a sixth grader at Stillwater Middle School, is a self-proclaimed book nerd and Potterhead who loves creating stories of her own.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading with her black Lab, Rubea (pronounced Ruby), by her side, and spends time with her younger sister, Lainey.
Anika also loves synchronized swimming, softball, horseback riding, learning to crochet, hanging out with friends, and babysitting. Her recommended reads? The Harry Potter series, especially Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Author Rebecca Ansari selected Anika’s story as a runner-up for its “very nice small details that make the story feel real” and its “good weaving of history into the story.” She especially liked how the main character’s journey changed history and saved the lives of her new friends.
Runner-Up: Viviana Chapman
Viviana is a fifth grader at Hand in Hand who loves reading big books, drawing, playing soccer, and baking. She’s also a big Harry Potter fan! She has a sister named Juliette and two dogs, Cici and Marley.
Viviana has written several imaginative stories, including Safari, about a boy who discovers that a supposedly evil monster is actually kind, and Blue Stone, about girls on an adventure to uncover a mysterious stone.
Her reading recommendations include Anne of Green Gables, the Harry Potter series, the Wingfeather Saga series, books by Jacqueline West, The Chronicles of Narnia, Artemis Fowl, and works by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Author Rebecca Ansari selected Viviana’s story as a runner-up, praising its thoughtful portrayal of a girl who feels different and isolated, the strong friendships that bring her happiness, and the carefully constructed plot. She also enjoyed the chaotic battle scene and an ending that leaves readers wondering: Was it all a dream?
Runner-Up: Grace Heinrich
Grace is a fifth grader in the GATE program at Bayport Elementary, and she loves writing stories! She’s already written a novella called The Pen Is Mightier Than The Blocky Sword and is working on a graphic novel series called Chaosfriends.
When she’s not writing or drawing, Grace enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and playing Minecraft. She also has four older brothers and a cute dog named Pippa, who has a habit of eating sticks!
Grace recommends graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier, the Minecraft: One Last Quest novel, and Chris Colfer’s imaginative The Land of Stories series.
Author Rebecca Ansari selected Grace’s story as a runner-up. She loved the description of walking through the portal, found the story “well cast and very interesting,” and appreciated Grace’s use of humor.