“That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason.” — from Jackson's Opening Statement before the International Military Tribunal

2008 N.Y. Essay Contest

2008 Author Visit and Essay Contest Announced


The Robert H. Jackson Center and the Law Youth and Citizenship Program of the New York State Bar Association have announced plans for the 2008 N.Y. essay contest featuring Karen Levine's multi-award-winning book, Hana's Suitcase

Award-winning author Karen Levine will be in Jamestown on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, for two presentations, the first at the Reg Lenna Civic Center from 9:45–11 a.m. and the second at the Robert H. Jackson Center from 12:45–2 p.m.

The book details a Japanese woman’s search for the story of a child, Hana Brady, the owner of an empty suitcase, who perished in the Holocaust leaving only a brother. Hana’s Suitcase has won more awards than any other Canadian book for young people in the last 35 years, has been translated into 36 languages and is sold in 47 countries. 

The program is for grades 5-8, and multi-aged book club members. Students attending the presentation must have read Ms. Levine’s book prior to this event, or teachers may choose to read the book aloud to classes. Recommended websites for information on Hana’s Suitcase can be accessed at:
http://www.hanassuitcase.ca/

Plot summary, awards and reviews can be found at
Albert Whitman & Company's Website.
Allen & Unwin Book Publishers Website. This site includes links to Notes for teachers and Karen Levine's profile.

Also visit the New York State Bar Association's Law, Youth and Citzenship (LYC) Program's page for additional information related to the essay contest.

Theme and NYS standards PDF

Entry Form

Judging Rubric

Jackson Center Schedules 2-Day Author Visit and Program in Conjunction with Book Essay Contest