A young Arlington resident has been named a first-place winner in her age group in this year’s Letters About Literature (LAL) awards, according to an announcement from the Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB).
Sixth grader Fiona Dos Santos was recognized at the awards ceremony on May 27 at the State House for her letter to author Angie Thomas about the book “The Hate U Give.”
Each year, the LAL awards invites students grades four through 12 to read a book of their choice and write a personal letter to the author reflecting on the book’s message and the impact the work has made on them. Dos Santos earned her first-place ranking in the category for grades four through six.
More than 100 students, family members, teachers and legislators attended this year’s ceremony. MCB Executive Director Courtney Andree praised the 2026 honorees for the “rich, insightful, and meaningful writing that [they] submitted.”
In their letters to authors, students addressed a range of issues that they are now facing, including their struggles to find acceptance, their efforts to advocate for themselves and others, and their experiences with loss, loneliness, and bullying.
In attendance at this year’s State House ceremony was Massachusetts Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, who provided the legislative welcome in the Great Hall. Sabadosa addressed the crowd and drew examples from Massachusetts writer Henry David Thoreau, noting that, “Thoreau challenges us to slow down, attune ourselves to the world that surrounds us, and take time to think deeply and live deliberately.”
Sabadosa thanked the students “for having the courage to forge [their] own path[s], and for being engaged readers.”
A complete list of this year’s winners and honorable mentions are published here.
This news item was published on June 3, 2026.
