April is National Poetry Month and the Mokena Community Public Library is giving local middle school and junior high school students a chance to show off their writing chops.

For the eighth year, the library is hosting a Poetry Slam and Short Story contest for all fourth- through eighth-grade students. Winners will be honored May 8 at 6 p.m., in the library's Adult Reading room.

“It's a cute event for the kids and parents,” said Wendy Asbridge, Young Adult Coordinator at the library. “The kids really enjoy getting up and ready, with their parents there and sometimes their teachers come, too.”

The contest, which received 76 entries last year, is off to a slow start this year, but Asbridge said she's expecting a flood of last-minute entries. The deadline is Friday, April 20. 

“Everybody did send them in last-minute last year,” Asbridge said. “With the way Easter fell and the holidays this year, I'm probably going to extend [the deadline] a few days.”

During the May 8 celebration, attendees will have a chance to enjoy refreshments, hear some of the winners read their short stories and poems and enjoy the social event.