First begun in 1974, the Young Hoosier Book Award exists to encourage recreational reading in Indiana students. Since 1992, the Award has been divided into three categories based on grade level: Kindergarten-3rd grade, 4-6th grade and 6-8th grade.
Each year teachers, students, parents and media specialists submit suggestions (see guidelines below) to the Young Hoosier Book Award Committee, which is composed of AIME (Association for Indiana Media Educators) members. The Award Committee then selects twenty nominees for each category. Students take part in the process by reading a certain number of the books on the list. In April the students vote for their favorite book. Votes are then tallied and the winning illustrator and authors are presented the award at the annual AIME spring conference the following year. Their names are added to the list of winners spanning from 1975 to the present.
Established in 1974. Sponsored by AIME (Association for Indiana Media Educators).