The judges said, "It is difficult to write about an actual event, yet structure the narrative to swiftly engage the reader's interest. Jan Breen has deftly avoided the usual pitfalls. The first-person narration is exactly right. At first negativity reigns (as does cynicism) and then comes an awakening of her experience that is warm, deeply involving, and finally exciting. The climax will bring tears even to the most jaded reader.

"The story is structured wisely, with tones of doubt at first, then the carefully plotted revision of the singer-actress's behavior and attitudes. Finally, we are confronted with an unexpectedly beautiful world created by personality and song and the narrator's complete capitulation of her initial negative approach.

"The language is imperceptibly comfortable. Never on display. Only the story gets center stage."

See a newspaper article about Ms. Breen's award, "Glassboro teacher wins international writing contest".

The judges said, "It has a quality that can be read and enjoyed more than once; the levels of experience indicate a happy degree of observation, feeling, and intelligence. Life flows in it—as life often does, in its own way and with its own directions and meanings. To respond to it requires not only sympathy and empathy with the narrator but a willingness to be part of the flow, sharing the travails of the writer firsthand. The author brilliantly contrives to engage the reader so forcefully, it becomes impossible to put the story aside at the finish. It's a tale to savor, to read and re-read."

The judges said, "Byers has taken a somewhat simple story, not too unusual in these times, and yet has given it a warmth and a reality that is touching and 'felt'. The characters are fully believable, while the story is told in simple, direct language, carefully controlled to avoid over-statement and unnecessary literary flourishes."