Contests

New Story Contest: PUZZLES

Life—and this issue of Cricket—is full of puzzles and puzzling situations. Will time tick forward when the numbers take a break in “Time Off!”? How could the American women of “Number, Please?” be celebrated for their World War I service but not have the right to vote? Just what did that dragon mean by “scales” in “The Dragon’s Scales”? For this month’s contest, everybuggy would like to read your story about a perplexing situation—and its resolution.

Maybe “The Legend of the Giant’s Causeway” and “<3 Quest” will inspire you to tackle the conundrum of how to outsmart a larger-than-life bully. Or your story might introduce a character puzzling out a place to belong, like Solly in “Bar Mitzvah Man” trying to find out how he fits into his religious community—and into his dad’s life. Maybe your story will imagine the struggles of a scholar trying to understand the visionary work left behind by a brilliant mathematician like Srinivasa Ramanujan. Or you might picture what happens when you solve a mythical creature’s riddle or fit the final piece into an enchanted jigsaw puzzle.

Whether your puzzle is lighthearted or thought-provoking, wild or mild, realistic or imaginary, everybuggy in Cricket Country will be ready to read your very best story—of 350 words or fewer, please—and puzzle over your brilliance!

  • (Show Rules)
    Here are the only rules: (Hide Rules)

    1. Your contest entry must be your very own original work. Ideas and words should not be copied.

    2. Your entry must be signed by your parent or guardian, stating that it is your own work, that no help was given, and that Cricket has permission to publish it in the magazine and on our website. 

    3. Be sure to include your name, age, and full address on your entry.

    4. Only one entry per person, please.

    5. Your entry must be received by January 25, 2025.

    6. Email entries to cricket@cricketmedia.com.

    7. We will publish winning entries in the November/Deecember 2024 issue and on the Cricket website.