Charles J. Shields, author of “Mockingbird: a Portrait of Harper Lee,” addressed more than 500 area students for the Robert H. Jackson Center’s 11th annual Young Readers program.

Each year, the center partners with the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program of the New York State Bar Association to bring a young adult author to the center in celebration of the important contribution young people’s literature makes to lifelong literacy, education and good citizenship.

Since the publication of his book, Shields has spoken to thousands of readers across the country and abroad. His biography of Lee, the first ever published, became a New York Times bestseller, was a Literary Guild Selection and a Book-of-the-Month Club Alternate. His young adult biography of Harper Lee, “I Am Scout” was chosen an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year and a Junior Literary Guild Selection. His student presentation for this year’s Young Readers Program focused on how he became a writer, why he chose to write a biography on Lee and the surprises he encountered along the way.

In conjunction with the author’s presentation, middle school students were invited to participate in a statewide essay contest based on Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Essay contest entrants were asked to tell how Lee’s character, Atticus Finch, challenged the forces of racism and discrimination while also explaining the importance of Lee’s novel to their own lives.

Three eighth-grade students were recognized for their winning essays at an awards dinner hosted at the Jackson Center. Each winner was presented with a $250 cash prize, a certificate and an autographed copy of “Mockingbird” in recognition of their winning entries. The contest winners were: Ariya Roberts, Casey Middle School, Williamsville; Della Knapp, Heim Middle School, Williamsville; and Kristal Grindley, Milton L. Olive Middle School, Wyandanch, N.Y.

This program was made possible through the generous support of the New York State Bar Association Law, Youth and Citizenship Program; Shults Management Group; Bloomquist Landscaping; Campbell and Shelton Law Firm; Double A Vineyards; Evans Discount Liquors and Wines; Jamestown Mattress; Safety Compliance; Serta Mattress; Shawbucks Press Room, Restaurant; Southern Tier Pediatrics; Weinberg Financial Group and The Stanley A. Weeks, Robert H. Jackson Fund and the Paul W. Sandberg Fund with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

The program, which was coordinated by Jackson Center volunteer Paul Lombardo, is part of the ongoing Youth Education Initiative at the Jackson Center that provides outreach, programming and educator development throughout the year. For more information on this year’s program and to read the selected student essays, please visit our website www.roberthjackson.org.

The Robert H. Jackson Center was established to and interpret the inspirational life and extraordinary accomplishments of Robert H. Jackson. The center is located at 305 E. Fourth St., Jamestown. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, or to schedule a tour of the center outside of regular business hours, email info@roberthjackson.org or contact the Robert H. Jackson Center at 483-6646.