SUGGESTIONS FOR UIL PROSE CATEGORY A: INSPIRING MY JOURNEY
This category requires students to explore the concept of past or present heroes/heroines or survivors.
The introduction plays a crucial role in reflecting the inspirational qualities of a hero or survivor.
Contestants should define what a hero/heroine or survivor means to them. The rules state that a
contestant shall perform a single prose selection, and the selection may be fiction or non-fiction, written
by one author or a collaborative work by two or more authors or written anonymously. Note: It is
always a good idea to bring all of your original sources with you to the actual competition. Please,
consult the UIL Handbook for all official rules and regulations regarding documentation requirements.
The key to this category is defining the idea behind a hero/heroine or survivor in the introduction;
therefore, here is an example of “how” a contestant could possibly write an introduction:
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION FOR THIS CATEGORY
This year, like many teenagers across the country, I embarked on the arduous journey of getting my very
first job. Did you know that, according to statistics, less than 25% of American teenagers work and go to
school? Which, with the ever-increasing demands of more stringent school curriculums, makes sense, I
suppose. Today's teenagers who are adept at time management, prioritizing, and staying focused on
the tasks at hand, will no doubt become this country's next big decision makers and future leaders...and
for those reasons...to me...the teenagers who balance both school and gainful employment...are my
personal unsung heroes. In his critically acclaimed short story, author Jake Barton introduces to a young
man...who...through a series of confessions...is simply trying to survive... the trials and tribulations...of
his very first job.
"Confessions of a Teenage Rat"
By Jake Barton
LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR UIL PROSE CATEGORY A: INSPIRING MY JOURNEY
“And the Award Goes To” by Shannon Cartwright
The Gray Book
A young girl tells the story of how she survived a physically abusive father.
“Another Teenage Cliché” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Eight
The story centers on surviving a teenage stalker.
“Ball” by Brian Lobel
Star Lit Volume Two
“Ball” is the true story of how, at the age of 20, author Brian Lobel was diagnosed with testicular
cancer—and survived.
“The Big One” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Red Book
Surviving the loss of a father—a young girl/woman tells of the trials and tribulations that occurred over
the many years her father took her fishing. So, are you ready to get hooked?
“The Code” by Leland Faulkner
The Gold Book
A young man survives the loss of his brother—while at the same time, he lives with the guilt that his
attempt to teach him a lesson was a major contributing factor in his brother’s untimely death.
“Confessions of a Teenage Rat” by Jake Barton
The Ivory Book
A young man recalls following in his father’s footsteps—as he survives the humility of ‘dressing up like a
giant rat’ on his very first job.
“The Days of Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Five
This is the story of leaving home and surviving in the big city—and at the same time, trying to survive
the obstacles of living your dream and becoming a respected artist.
“Dear Batman” by Jake Barton
The Orange Book
Through a series of letters to his favorite superhero, a young boy living with clinical depression struggles
to survive each and every day to overcome his feelings of despair.
“Eye Spy” by Michaela Murphy
Star Lit Volume One
Simply surviving childhood is a miracle at times. In her humorous essay, Michaela Murphy reflects on
her youth, as she recalls the one summer she accidentally kicked out her Uncle Al’s glass eye during a
game of chicken fights—while her family vacations in Hyannisport and secretly spies on the Kennedy’s.
“The F-Word” by Matthew Yasuoka
Star Lit Volume Six
A young boy/mentally-challenged young man recalls surviving his childhood without any true friends.
He also learns the true meaning of “The F-Word.”
“Forgive and Forget” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Three
A young woman recounts how she and her sister survived the taunting of a bully from their childhood—
and how she can forgive the perpetrator from her past—but she will never forget.
“Forgotten” by Elise Sharron
Star Lit Volume Four
After being dishonorably discharged from the army, a young soldier from the Iraqi War recounts how he
struggles daily to survive the harsh streets as a young homeless vet.
“The Good Mother” by Elise Sharron
The Ivory Book
A woman takes a vigilante approach and becomes her son’s unsung hero, after she takes vengeance on
the neighbors who broke the law by taking away her son’s innocence.
“How to Terrify the Opposite Sex” by Michaela Murphy
Star Lit Volume Two
Michaela Murphy revisits her youth, as she humorously tells the story of how she—almost with
disastrous results—narrowly survived her first boy-girl party.
“Hydrangea” by Regina Phelps
Star Lit Volume Two
A young woman recounts how she survived her youth, even though every woman in her family,
including herself, was named after a flower.
“I Love Lucy” by Celeste LeBeaux
Star Lit Volume Six
Along with her older sister—two young girls survive a sexual assault from their youth.
“Isaac Woodard in His Own Words” by James Blaylock
The Bronze Book
This is the true story of a young African-American male who, immediately after being discharged from
the Army during World War 2, becomes the victim of a hate crime. He is taken off his bus, dragged into
an alley and blinded by a small town sheriff in a Southern state. He tells the story of how he survived
the rest of his life living as a disabled, blind man and how ultimately—justice was never served.
“Lies of the Heart (And Other Hidden Trivia Facts)” by Kendra Sparks
The Brown Book
Surviving a two-year relationship—only to break-up and finally be truthful about what could have been
the problems in the relationship in the first place.
“Love in a Unit” by Robert Hodgson Van Wagoner
Perform Volume One
Told from the perspective of the husband, Robert Hodgson Van Wagoner asks the rhetorical question,
“How does a couple survive, both emotionally and physically, after the wife has been raped and the
perpetrator killed?”
“Millionaire Boy” by J.E. Matzer
The Gold Book
Surviving on the iconic television game show, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? In his autobiographical
essay, author J.E. Matzer recalls how he survived one agonizing question at a time—knowing his
“lifelines” were slowly vanishing and the questions were getting more difficult. It’s the story about
fifteen questions, meeting Regis Philbin, and trying to win one million dollars.
“Missing Michael” by Leo Cannon
Star Lit Volume Eight
A young man tells the story of surviving his younger brother’s untimely death.
“Mother’s Day” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Yellow Book
This first-person confessional introduces us to Dill, the daughter of a mentally-challenged mother.
“Mother’s Day” tells the story of surviving a childhood with a single parent who lived with severe mental
retardation.
“Mourning Love” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Green Book
Surviving after the loss of her first and only love—a young woman tells the story of how, after seeing no
mourners at a graveside service on her way to work one day, she decides to attend funerals on her days
off. It is at one of these funerals that she finds her one true love. He makes her promise not to attend
any more funerals. She agrees, and then he stops having any contact with her. So the young woman
breaks her promise and attends yet another funeral. Little did she know—this particular funeral—would
be the final farewell to her one true love.
“Never Clip Your Toenails Under the Influence of Drugs” by Sandy Maranto
Star Lit Volume Nine
This is the true story of Sandy Maranto’s humorous, yet poignant journey after being diagnosed and
surviving breast cancer.
“Parton Me” by Tamara Coston
The Teal Book
Speaking in public is one of many people’s biggest phobias. This is the humorous story about a young
girl, who enters a Dolly Parton look-alike contest and survives.
“The Perfect Love Story” by Michael McClain
The Blue Book
Surviving the trials and tribulations of dating, this is the story of a man obsessed with perfection who
goes on a series of imperfect dates—determined to find that one perfect girl.
“Pretty” by Yolanda Williams
The Pink Book
A teenage girl tells the story of how her best friend survives a sexual assault by a fellow classmate.
“The Queen of Oz” by Kristy Thomas
Star Lit Volume Seven
A woman recounts the day she survived the infamous 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado, because that was
the same day her husband lost his life and her daughter disappeared and has never been found.
“Queen of the Swamp” by Leland Faulkner
The Bronze Book
Surviving a series of summers spent with his grandparents along the Louisiana swamps—a young man
(or perhaps old man) recalls a series of stories, including the death of his best friend.
“Ribbons” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Pink Book
A teenage girl tells the story of surviving the loss of her mother who died of breast cancer.
“Special” by Jake Barton
Star Lit Volume Nine
A young, mentally-challenged student, unaware of what actually took place, recounts what happened
on the day of a school shooting.
“The Star-Gazer” by Jake Barton
Star Lit Volume Three
A young teenager tells the story of how, while driving home alone one night after working at a small
town grocery story—he/she survived after being abducted by aliens.
“A Taste of Purple” by Carol Rust
The Purple Book
Growing up in the segregated South—living day in and day out with separate drinking fountains and
restrooms for blacks and whites—a young girl/older woman recounts how—against everything she’d
ever been taught—she shared a purple popsicle with a young black girl—and survived.
“The United States of Science” by Matthew Yasuoka
Star Lit Volume Nine
In his science fiction short story, Matthew Yasuoka takes us to the future, where one’s sexual
orientation is determined scientifically before birth—which forces the question, “How does one survive,
if one does not agree with the sexual orientation status dictated by the government?”
“The Witness” by Shannon Cartwright
The Blue Book
Surviving the death of a brother and serving as a witness at his execution by lethal injection.
“Wreckage” by Jake Barton
The Silver Book
A driver, working for a wrecking service, tells a series of job-related stories, as he comes to pick up the
metal carnage after a series of horrific accidents. He is one of many unsung heroes, who go the extramile to lend a helping hand when others are suffering.
“You Are My Sunshine” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Seven
A young mother tells the story of surviving the daily challenges of raising a child with special needs.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PROSE CATEGORY B: EXPANDING THE JOURNEY
The following list features suggestions for possible themes as contestants and coaches create their
thematic programs for this year’s UIL Prose Category B: EXPANDING THE JOURNEY. This category
requires each contestant to use at least TWO and no more than FOUR selections to create a unique
thematic program. Please, remember: An individual student may NOT use the same author in both
categories. To make searching easier, the following list includes titles, authors, the original source, and
possible thematic suggestions for each selection. This category allows contestants to choose from the
following genres of literature: fiction, nonfiction, news sources, speeches and essays. In addition, for
ONE of the sources, contestants may use a script from a movie, documentary, television show or movie,
radio show or play; however, contestants shall NOT use poetry, song lyrics, and musicals, plays written
in verse or novels in verse. The selections may be woven, and original transitions may be used. The rules
also state that at least 50% of the program must be Prose in nature. (Please, note: This list does NOT
serve as official documentation, because it is up to the contestants and coaches to ensure that all of the
selections chosen work together to create a cohesive thematic program and fit the requirements of this
category.) Note: It is always a good idea to bring all of your original sources with you to the actual
competition. Please, consult the UIL Handbook for all official rules and regulations regarding
documentation requirements.
LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR UIL PROSE CATGORY B: EXPANDING MY JOURNEY
“008” by Herb Duncan
The Purple Book
Possible themes: James Bond; Espionage; Auditioning; Good vs. evil
“The 17th Annual Malcolm X. Jefferson Elementary Talent Show” by Gregory T. Burns
The Green Book
Possible themes: Fundraising; Schools; Talent Shows; Deer hunting; Suicide; Janitors
“27 Dolls” by Leland Faulkner
The Purple Book
Possible themes: Dolls; Boy-girl relationships; Living in the South
“And the Award Goes To” by Shannon Cartwright
The Gray Book
Possible themes: Physical child abuse; Emotional abuse; Love of the movies; Overcoming obstacles;
Scars
“Another Teenage Cliché” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Eight
Possible themes: Teenage relationships; Stalking
“The Art of Falling Apart” by Yolanda Williams
The Orange Book
Possible themes: Interracial dating; Complex relationships; Single mothers
“B My Name Is Bob” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Being a man in the new Millennium; Dads; Job interviews; Movies; Clichés
(Please note: Contestants may NOT use the “poems” within this play.)
“Ball” by Brian Lobel
Star Lit Volume Two
Possible themes: Testicular cancer; Tour de France; Surviving cancer; Hula-hoop contests
“The Banality Briefs” by Shannon Cartwright
The Yellow Book
Possible themes: Dynamics of female relationships; Cheerleading; Goth girls; Business women; Elderly
women
“Believing in Bruce” by Gregory T. Burns
The Brown Book
Possible themes: Ghosts; Tourist attractions; Conmen
“The Big One” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Red Book
Possible themes: Fishing; Father-daughter relationships; Loss of a parent
“Bikes I Have Loved (And the Boy Who Rode Them)” by Kendra Sparks
The Maroon Book
Possible themes: Bicycles; Helmet Safety; Unrequited love
“Blackbird” by Ray Dillard
The Yellow Book
Possible themes: Guns; youth and guns
“The Blue Raspberry Banditos” by Leroy Wayson
Star Lit Volume One
Possible themes: Murphy’s Law; 7-Eleven; Slurpee’s; Safety reenactment
“The Brand” by Ray Dillard
The Silver Book
Possible themes: Youth taking responsibility; Dogs; Cattle branding; Dog grooming
“Camp Bigfoot” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Nine
Possible themes: Bigfoot; Yetis; Specialized children’s camps; Sweat shops
“A Chance of Rain” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Four
Possible themes: Dating; Boy-girl relationships; Unrequited love
“Chasing Sarah Jessica Parker” by Gregory T. Burns
The Pink Book
Possible themes: Obsessions; Fan clubs; Road trips; Sarah Jessica Parker
“The Code” by Leland Faulkner
The Gold Book
Possible themes: Rural living; Brothers; Excessive punishment; Death of a sibling
“The Columnists Widow” by Michelle Sanderson
The Maroon Book
Possible themes: Widows; Loss of spouse; Visiting the White House; Politics; Writers
“Confessions of a Teenage Rat” by Jake Barton
The Ivory Book
Possible themes: First Jobs; Like father like son; First love; Pizza parlors; Costumed characters
“Danny’s How-To VLOG on Surviving Middle School, Defeating the Bad Guys and Ruling the World”
By Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Ten
Possible themes: Bullying; Geography bees; Video-blogging; Surviving middle school
“The Days of Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Chasing dreams; Leaving home; Struggling artists
“Dear Batman” by Jake Barton
The Orange Book
Possible themes: Depression and youth; Batman; Superheroes; Little sisters
“Dustin” by Leo Cannon
Star Lit Volume Eight
Possible themes: Mentally-challenged youth; Accidental homicides; Interrogations
“Election Day” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Political campaigns; Presidential elections
“Eye Spy” by Michaela Murphy
Star Lit Volume One
Possible themes: The Kennedy’s; Spying; Family vacations; Glass eyes; Accidents
“The F-Word” by Matthew Yasuoka
Star Lit Volume Six
Possible themes: Friendship; Parental abandonment; Gay father; Tolerance; Acceptance
“Forgive and Forget” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Chronic Memory Syndrome; Bullying; Sisters; Forgiving; Forgetting
“Forgotten” by Elise Sharron
Star Lit Volume Four
Possible themes: Homeless; War vets; Friendly fire
“Friends 4 Life” by Gregory T. Burns
The Red Book
Possible themes: Friendships; Boy-girl relationships; Dolls; Death of a friend; School
(Please note: Contestants may NOT use the “song” in the “talent show” scene.)
“A Ghost of a Chance” by Jake Barton
Star Lit Volume Four
Possible themes: Life after death; Murder mysteries; Meeting friends online
“Gilgamesh, Iowa” by Scott Augustson
Star Lit Volume One
Possible themes: Friendships; Childhood role-playing; Terminal illness; Assisted suicide
“Group Scare-apy” by Gregory T. Burns
The Maroon Book
Possible themes: Psychology; Famous movie monsters; Group therapy
“Giving Thanks” by Gregory T. Burns
The Ivory Book
Possible themes: Dysfunctional families; Thanksgiving; Paybacks
“The Good Mother” by Elise Sharron
The Ivory Book
Possible themes: Sexual child abuse; Vigilante justice; Women in prison
“Goodbye Dick and Jane” by Arthur Hoppe
Star Lit Volume Two
Possible themes: Textbook publishing; Evolution; Sex Education; Reinventing the family unit; Keeping up
with the times
“The Grimm Girls” by Gregory T. Burns
The Gray Book
Possible themes: Revenge; Hair; Agoraphobia; Breaking and entering; Crime doesn’t pay; Fear of short
people; The Brothers Grimm; Spoofs
“Group Scare-apy” by Gregory T. Burns
The Maroon Book
Possible themes: Psychology; Famous monsters; Group therapy; Halloween
“Gums” by Bryan Denbow
The Gray Book
Possible themes: Small town celebrations; Fireworks; Spoofs; Jaws; Salmon; Fear of going into the water
“Heads Up; Off; Whatever: An Oral Book Report on Marie Antoinette” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Seven
Possible themes: The Internet; Misinformation; Girl’s schools; Marie Antoinette
“How to Terrify the Opposite Sex” by Michaela Murphy
Star Lit Volume Two
Possible themes: Creativity; Boy-girl parties; Phantom of the Opera; Costume parties
“Human Interest Story” by Rick Francis
Star Lit Volume Five
Possible themes: News Reporters; Workplace romances; Secret relationships; Tabloid television
“The Human(e) Society” by Gregory T. Burns and Bryan Denbow
Perform Volume One
Possible themes: Dogs; Adoption; Politics; Birth; Science fiction; Shelters; The future
“Hydrangea” by Regina Phelps
Star Lit Volume Two
Possible themes: Importance of names; Living in the South; Family ties
“I Dream of Lillian” by Elise Sharron
Star Lit Volume Five
Possible themes: Motherhood; Cancer; Guardian angels
“I Love Lucy” by Celeste LeBeaux
Star Lit Volume Six
Possible themes: Sexual assaults; Sisters; Intruders; I Love Lucy
“I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe” by Dawson Nichols
Star Lit Volume One
Possible themes: Edgar Allan Poe; Mental health; Mental institutions; Fire; Insanity
“The Incredible Adventures of Maw-Maw’s Blanket” by Bryan Denbow
The Brown Book
Possible themes: Imagination; Sibling relationships; Adventures
“The Invisible Line” by Manuel Montez and Kassondra Ortiz
Star Lit Volume Ten
Possible themes: Human trafficking; Human smuggling; Illegal aliens; Crossing the border; Searching for
a better future
“Isaac Woodard: In His Own Words” by James Blaylock
The Bronze Book
Possible themes: Racism; World War 2; Living with Blindness; Heroes; Soldiers
“It’s Not About the Hair” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Eight
Possible themes: Hair; Cancer; Locks of Love; Sister bonding
“The Judy Dream” by Gregory T. Burns
The Green Book
Possible themes: Psychology; Dreams; The Wizard of Oz; Reincarnation
“Kissing Lessons” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Six
Possible themes: Boy-girl relationships; Boy-girl parties; Kissing; Closets
“Labels” by James Blaylock
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Bullying; Judging people; Hazing; Football; Being the new kid in school
“Lies of the Heart (And Other Hidden Trivia Facts)” by Kendra Sparks
The Brown Book
Possible themes: Boy-girl relationships; Break-ups; Hot dogs; Cellos; Trivia game shows
“Little Secrets” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Purple Book
Possible themes: Incest; Sisters; Road trips
“Locked In” by Rick Francis
Star Lit Volume Five
Possible themes: Trapped; Ghosts; Mexican restaurants; Bathrooms
“Love in a Unit” by Robert Hodgson Van Wagoner
Perform Volume One
Possible themes: Rape; Marriage; Surviving traumatic experiences
“Malcolm X. Jefferson Elementary Proudly Presents a Fifth-Grade Production of A Chorus Line”
By Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Four
Possible themes: Inappropriate teachers: Acting: Putting on a play
“The MANcation” by Gregory T. Burns
The Bronze Book
Possible themes: Vacations; Male bonding
“Millionaire Boy” by J.E. Matzer
The Gold Book
Possible themes: Game shows; Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; Contestants; Regis Philbin; Trivia
knowledge
“Missing Michael” by Leo Cannon
Star Lit Volume Eight
Possible themes: Divorce; Allergic reactions; Siblings; Death of a brother; Michael Jackson
“Mother Dear” by Bryan Denbow
The Silver Book
Possible themes: Physical and mental child abuse; Mother-daughter relationships; Movie stars; Acting
“Mother’s Day” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Yellow Book
Possible themes: Mental retardation; Mother-daughter relationships; Death
“Mourning Love” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Green Book
Possible themes: Funerals; Romance; Death; Finding love in unlikely places
“The Munchies Games” by Jennifer Riley and James Killmurry
Perform Volume One
Possible themes: Survival; The Hunger Games; Odd game shows; Satires
“The Mysterious Gift in Apartment 122” by Bryan Denbow
Star Lit Volume Five
Possible themes: Urban living; Paranoia; Relationships
“Never Clip Your Toenails Under the Influence of Drugs” by Sandy Maranto
Star Lit Volume Nine
Possible themes: Breast cancer; Breast Augmentation; Relationships
“The Northwest Chapter of the Mississippi Coon Club Presents William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream” by Gregory T. Burns
The Bronze Book
Possible themes: Fundraising; William Shakespeare; Acting; Putting on a play
“Office Space: Cubical Paradise or Death Factory?” by Gregory T. Burns
Star Lit Volume Ten
Possible themes: Work-related accidents; Working in an office; Misfortunes; Surviving personal
tragedies
“Parton Me” by Tamara Coston
The Teal Book
Possible themes: Fear of public speaking; Overcoming obstacles: Dolly Parton; Look-alike contests
“The Patron Saint of Pinocchio” by Gregory T. Burns
The Blue Book
Possible themes: Siblings; Death of parents; Puppets
“Perfect” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Two
Possible themes: Marriage proposals; Murphy’s Law; Relationships; Fear of commitment
“The Perfect Love Story” by Michael McClain
The Blue Book
Possible themes: Relationships; Marriage proposals; Quest for perfection; Hot air balloons
“The Pom-Pom Boys” by Joseph Reed
The Ivory Book
Possible themes: Football players; Cheerleaders; Peer acceptance; Tolerance; Punishment
“Pretty” by Yolanda Williams
The Pink Book
Possible themes: Sexual assault; Defining beauty; Self-mutilation
“Prissy Thomas” by Sarie Fisher Norvel
The Orange Book
Possible themes: Post Traumatic Syndrome; Bullying; Altered personalities
“The Queen of Oz” by Kristy Thomas
Star Lit Volume Seven
Possible themes: Surviving a natural disaster; Tornadoes; Joplin, Missouri; The Wizard of Oz
“The Queen of the Swamp” by Leland Faulkner
The Bronze Book
Possible themes: Unusual pets; Alligators; Childhood; Grandparents; Siblings: Death; Summer vacations
“The Rabbit Report” by Gregory T. Burns
The Orange Book
Possible themes: Plagues; Rabbits
“Ribbons” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Pink Book
Possible themes: Breast cancer; Mother-daughter relationships; Ribbons for a cause
“Romeo and Juliet in Hollywood” by Gregory T. Burns
The Teal Book
Possible themes: William Shakespeare; Movies; Romeo and Juliet; Boy-girl relationships; Hollywood
“Ruffled Feathers” by Gregory T. Burns
The Teal Book
Possible themes: Defining beauty; Ugly; Acceptance; Appearances; Ducks
“Sally Smart: Second Grade Sleuth” by Gregory T. Burns
The Red Book
Possible themes: Crime solving; Smart kids; School; Hamsters
“The Secret Language of Fish” by Gregory T. Burns
The Gold Book
Possible themes: School; Biology; Dissecting a frog; Freshmen; Boy-girl relationships; Fish; Flirting
“Sparkle: The Documentary” by Gregory T. Burns
The Pink Book
Possible themes: Beauty pageants; Unusual talents; Beauty
“Special” by Jake Barton
Star Lit Volume Nine
Possible themes: School shootings; Mentally-challenged young adults
“The Star-Gazer” by Jake Barton
Star Lit Volume Three
Possible themes: Alien abductions; UFOs; Aliens
“Sunflower Street: Episode 4 (Erma and Molly Get a Date)” by Bryan Denbow
Star Lit Volume Seven
Possible themes: Dating; Sadie Hawkins Dance; Puppets; Sesame Street; Children’s television
programming
“A Taste of Purple” by Carol Rust
The Purple Book
Possible themes: Segregation; Popsicles; Rural living
“Teensploitation” by Scott Augustson
The Gold Book
Possible themes: Best friends; Teenage relationships; Teacher-student relationships; Friendship; Prom
“The Testing of Napoleon” by Gregory T. Burns
The Blue Book
Possible themes: Obsessions; Remote-controlled cars; English as a second language; Searching for
friends
“Thirty Minutes with Julie” by Gregory T. Burns and Sandy Maranto
Star Lit Volume Nine
Possible themes: Teenage pregnancy; Unwed mothers; Adoptions
“The Three Step Method” by Scott Augustson
Star Lit Volume One
Possible themes: Psychology; Patients; Insanity; Role-playing; Pushing someone over the edge
“Tiger in a Cage” by Jake Barton
The Teal Book
Possible themes: Euthanasia; Drowning; Being in a coma
“Timeline’s Primetime Special: The Amazing Adventures with Ann and Armando (Exposed!)”
By Gregory T. Burns
Possible themes: Exploitation; Television ratings; Children’s television programming; Grief; Manipulation
“To Every Coin” by Gregory T. Burns
The Gray Book
Possible themes: Defining beauty; Physical beauty; Relationships; Break-ups
“Tree Huggers” by Gregory T. Burns
The Yellow Book
Possible themes: Environmental activism; Fighting for a cause; Misunderstandings
“The United States of Science” by Matthew Yasuoka
Star Lit Volume Ten
Possible themes: Sexual identity; Gender identity; Sexual preference; The future
“Unsigned Paintings” by Joseph Reed
The Maroon Book
Possible themes: Nervous breakdowns; Funeral Directors; Mental Health; Loss of sister; Marriage
“When I See Her” by Sujin Jeong
Perform Volume One
Possible themes: The Sewol Ferry disaster; Boating tragedies; Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome
“The Witness” by Shannon Cartwright
The Blue Book
Possible themes: Death by lethal injection; Gangs; Saying goodbye; Sibling relationships; Faith
“Wreckage” by Jake Barton
The Silver Book
Possible themes: Blue collar workers; Traffic fatalities; Death; Towing
“You Are My Sunshine” by Bridget Grace Sheaff
Star Lit Volume Seven
Possible themes: Raising a child with special needs; Prosopagnosia; Face blindness; Psychological
disorders
SUGGESTIONS FOR POETRY CATEGORY A: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
The following list serves as suggestions for this year’s UIL Poetry Category A: A JOURNEY THROUGH
TIME. This category asks contestants to examine a decade(s) and/or a social/political movement. In this
category, the contestant shall perform a program centered on a time period and/or movement such as
but not limited to: The Roaring 20’s, The Great Depression, Animal Rights, Anti-War, Apartheid, Arab
Spring, Black Consciousness, Chicano Movement, Civil Rights, Human Rights or Women’s Liberation.
The thematic program shall include at least TWO poems or excerpts of poems by TWO or MORE poets.
Poems shall be published in hard copy. The program may be woven or may incorporate verbal and/or
nonverbal transitions. Song lyrics may be used as transitions only, unless published as poetry.
If the program is woven, it shall be stated in the introduction. The introduction should be used to
identify the significance of the decade, social or political movement. Works co-authored or by
anonymous poets are permissible. The poets used in this category shall not be used in Category B. Note:
It is always a good idea to bring all of your original sources with you to the actual competition. Please,
consult the UIL Handbook for all official rules and regulations regarding documentation requirements.
LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR POETRY CATEGORY A: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
“Attack of the B-Grade Boyfriends” by Yolanda Williams
The Yellow Book
A collection of poems that pays homage to the famous movie monsters from the B-grade films of the
1950’s. If choosing these poems, the contestant should try to find another poem by another poet about
famous movie monsters from the 1950’s.
“The Beatles Poems” by Shannon Cartwright
The Red Book
Music played a large role in reflecting the times during the 1960’s. The British Invasion, led by The
Beatles, was a musical movement that began during the 1960’s and has left a legacy on the music
industry. If choosing any of these poems, the contestant should try to find another poem by another
poet about either The Beatles or how music played an important role during the 1960’s.
“Cap’n Crunch and 2% Milk” by Matthew Yasuoka
Star Lit Volume Five
This collection of poems examines the tragic aftermath of a school shooting. The poems introduce us to
the shooter, his mother, and his girlfriend. Any or all of these poems could be put into a program
featuring another poem by another poet about gun violence or school shootings, which have come to
define the violent nature of the past two decades.
“The JFK Poems” by James Blaylock
The Green Book
This collection of poems focuses on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during the turbulent
1960’s. If using any of these poems, the contestant should try to find another poem by another poet
that focuses on John F. Kennedy, Kennedy’s assassination, or Kennedy’s legacy as a president.
“I Dreamed I Was a Video Game” by Jake Barton
The Gray Book
This poem deals with the epidemic of gun violence and school shootings across our country. This poem
should be paired with another poem by another poet and placed into a poetry program dealing with gun
control or school shootings.
“If Columbine Was a Game Show” by Richard Callahan
Star Lit Volume Nine
This poem deals with the tragic school shootings at Columbine High School. This poem should be paired
with another poem by another poet and placed into a poetry program dealing with gun control, school
shootings or the tragedy at Columbine High School.
“Make No Mistake” by Kameron Lavine
Star Lit Volume Nine
This poem deals with the controversial issue of gun control. This poem should be paired with another
poem by another poet and placed into a poetry program dealing with the issue of gun control.
“Numbers” and “Dark Shadows” by Richard Callahan
The Orange Book
These two narrative poems tell the story of the tragedy that occurred on The University of Texas’
campus in 1961, when Charles Whitman walked up into a tower of higher learning and committed one
of the worst mass murders in the history of our nation. Either or both of these poems could be placed
with another poem by a different poet that centers on the violence of the 1960’s.
“The Seven Brightest Stars in Heaven” by Celeste LeBeaux
The Pink Book
This collection of poems pays tribute to the astronauts who lost their lives during the Space Shuttle
Challenger’s explosion in the 1986. If using any of the poems in this collection, the contestant should
look for another poem by another poet that talks about NASA’s space program during the 1980’s, one of
NASA’s astronauts, or space exploration in general.