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Local Awards Archives

June 9, 2007

Alberta Literary Awards

The Alberta Literary Awards, with categories in novel, non-fiction, poetry, short fiction, drama, and children’s literature recognize excellence in writing by Alberta authors. The $1000 prizes are awarded annually for works created the preceding year.

Sponsored by the Writers Guild of Alberta.

June 10, 2007

Ann Connor Brimer Book Award

In 1990, the Nova Scotia Library Association established the Ann Connor Brimer Award for writers residing in Atlantic Canada who have made an outstanding contribution to children's literature.

The impetus for the award came from the late Ann Connor Brimer who was a strong advocate of Canadian children's literature and saw the need to recognize and encourage children's writers in Atlantic Canada.

Established in 1990. Sponsored by the Nova Scotia Library Association.

Grand Canyon Reader Award

Grand Canyon Reader Award (GCRA), formerly, the Arizona Young Readers' Awards (AYRA)

The purpose of these awards is to stimulate the interest of young readers in outstanding literature written primarily for them. An additional aim of the award is to encourage cooperation among administrators, library media specialists, and teachers in broadening the reading programs at all levels. Since 1977, these awards have had a place among the national children's literature awards.

Ten (10) books are nominated for each of the four categories: picture books, intermediate books, teen books, and non-fiction books. Starting in 2008, the category for Teen will be called T'ween and Teen; and a new category will be started for recommended teen books that will not be a voting category. Books are read and voted upon by the state's children during the period from announcement through the voting deadline. Students may read and vote for books in more than one category.

Established in 1977. Sponsored by the Arizona Library Association.

Bilby Awards

The Bilby Awards are Queensland's children's choice awards. They are run by the Children's Book Council of Australia (Queensland Branch).


Bilby stands for Books I Love Best Yearly.

Established in 1990. Sponsored by Children's Book Council of Australia (Queensland Branch).

COOL Award

Cool Awards - Children's Choice Book Awards in Canberra are compiled as a result of the suggestions sent in by students from across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

The COOL Awards are the children's choice book awards voted for by the younger people of the Canberra Region. The COOL Awards stands for Canberra's Own Outstanding List. It is a programs run for children, allowing them to vote for their favourtie book in the sections of Picture Story Book, Fiction for Younger Readers, and Fiction for Older Readers.

Established in 1991. Sponsored by Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Public Library.

Kanga Awards

The CROW Awards were successful throughout their short history, with the last being presented in 1998. However, by that time, the CROW Committee consisted of one person, who was helped by a succession of temporary assistants, all senior university students who lasted one year before getting a job and handing the CROW position on to a friend. Then, when the solitary Crow was to go overseas in January, 1999, there was nobody willing to take over, and the Award folded. Now, of course, the CROW is dead, but has been resurrected as a KANGA. (And, at the same time, the captain of the football Kangas has become - a Crow. Ah, the mysteries of life!)

Established in 191. Sponsored by multiple South Australia Institutions.

Koala Awards

Kids Own Australian Literature Awards are annual awards made by young readers in NSW to the Australian books they have most enjoyed reading during that year. KOALA is the NSW children's choice reading award.

Established in 1987. Sponsored by the Children's Book Council of Australia, (NSW Branch).

WAYBRA Award

The West Australian Young Readers Book Award, (WAYRBA) is a readers' choice award, organised on a statewide basis for young readers.

As such, it pioneered a new concept in Australia, allowing children the major say in their prize winning literature.

The scheme represents a positive attempt to generate enthusiasm for pleasure reading, to enrich children's reading experiences and to develop their powers of discrimination in comparing quality literature.

Established in 1980. Sponsored by various West Australia institutions.

Beehive Awards

The Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) is a volunteer organization of individuals who have a personal or professional interest in children's literature. The organization's purposes are: to encourage the reading, study, and writing of children's literature; to provide a forum for all points of view and levels of experience in children's books; and to gather and share information about children's literature.

Established in 1980. Sponsored by the Children's Literature Association of Utah.

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

Each year since 1992, the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award has been given in several categories. The purpose of this award is to promote literacy and lifelong reading habits by encouraging students to read quality, contemporary literature. The books selected to be placed on lists for each category are expected to broaden the human experience and provide accurate, factual information. The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award honors outstanding books, chosen annually by Maryland students.

Established in 1992. Sponsored by the Maryland Association of School Librarians.

Blue Hen Book Award

The Blue Hen Book Award is a children's choice award sponsored by the Children's Services Division of the Delaware Library Association. Each year children have the opportunity to vote on selected picture or chapter books published in the last year. The book that receives the most votes in each category will win the Blue Hen Book Award.

Established in 1996. Sponsored by the Delaware Library Association.

Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award

The Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award recognizes the most popular books among middle and high school students in the State of Colorado. Teens nominate their favorite titles and select the winner - adults do not vote.

Established in 1985. Sponsored by Colorado Association of Libraries, Colorado Council for the INternational Reading Association, Colorado Language Arts Society.

South Carolina Book Awards

The purposes of the South Carolina book awards are to encourage our students to read good quality contemporary literature and to honor the authors of the books annually chosen the favorites by student vote. The book award medals will be awarded to the winning authors the following year at the annual conference of the SCASL.

Established in 1976. Sponsored by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians.

Buckaroo Book Award

Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council, the Buckaroo Book Award will provide the opportunity for Wyoming children in grades Kindergarten through third to select favorite books they have read or have listened to and to honor the authors of these books.

Established in 2006. Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council.

Buckeye Children's Book Award

The Buckeye Children's Book Award is a great way to encourage kids to read their favorite books and to nominate and vote for them here in Ohio. It is designed to encourage children in Ohio to read literature critically, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in children's literature programs, and to commend authors of such literature. Since its inception, there have been 36 award winners.

Established in 1981. Sponsored by Ohio Council International Reading Association, The Ohio Educational Library Media Association, The Ohio Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts, The Ohio Library Council, and The State Library
of Ohio.

Building Block Picture Book Award

The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, administered by the Children's Services Round Table of MLA, is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri's public libraries. Designed to encourage reading aloud to children from birth through kindergarten age, the award was first given in 1996. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to read aloud to children from a list of ten titles selected annually by a group of Missouri children's librarians. Colorful posters, bookmarks, activity sheets, and a manual of great ideas add to the fun.

Established in 1987. Sponsored by the Missouri Library Association.

California Young Reader MEdal

The California Young Reader Medal program encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of our state. Since its inception in 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal.

The CYRM program is sponsored by four statewide organizations committed to books and reading: California Association of Teachers of English (CATE), California Library Association (CLA), California Reading Association (CRA) and California School Library Association (CSLA). A committee of representatives from each organization coordinates CYRM activities at the state level. The committee develops a promotional packet about the program, which includes all materials needed to participate: ballots, nomination forms, and nominee lists.

Young people suggest the names of favorite books for nomination, or teachers and librarians note repeatedly read or requested titles, and these are submitted to the California Young Reader Medal Committee. Members of the committee read the suggested books, discuss their merits and appeal to children, and decide upon a well balanced list of nominees. A book must be an original work of fiction published within the last five years by an author who is still living to be considered for nomination.

Established in 1974. Sponsored by California Association of Teachers of English (CATE), California Library Association (CLA), California Reading Association (CRA) and California School Library Association (CSLA).

Carolyn W. Field Award

This award was established in 1983 by the Youth Services Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association. A Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, Carolyn Wicker Field retired in 1983 from the Free Library of Philadelphia where she served as Coordinator of Work with Children for 30 years.

Established in 1984. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Library Association.


Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

The Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award for children's literature has been presented annually since 1971 to an author whose book has been selected through a vote taken by Arkansas school children in grades four, five and six. The purpose of the award is to promote better reading for children and to recognize Mrs. John Gould Fletcher, an outstanding Arkansas author who wrote under the pen name Charlie May Simon.


Established in 1971. Sponsored by Arkansas State Library.

Charlotte Award

Named for the main character in E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, the purpose of the Charlotte Award is to encourage students to read outstanding literature and ultimately become life-long readers. Additionally, the award recognizes the authors and illustrators of such literature. Students in New York State will read titles on the ballot and vote for their favorites.

Established in 1990. Sponsored by the New York State Reading Association.

Colorado Children's Book Award

The Colorado Children's Book Award was established by Dr. Bill Curtis in 1975 to encourage children's active involvement with books and reading. The CCBA committee is sponsored by Colorado Council of the International Reading Association.

Established in 1975. Sponsored by the Colorado Council of the International Reading Association.

Commonwealth Club’s Annual Book Awards

On the evening of June 11, 1931, then Club President James A. Johnston announced the creation of an award whose goal was to foster literature within the Golden State. "It is hoped and expected," he said, "that the recognition afforded by these annual California Commonwealth Club Literature Medals will be a spur and an encouragement to many a California author in this and future years."

The Commonwealth Club’s Annual Book Awards are now among the most prestigious literary awards in the state of California. To date, the Club has recognized more than 450 California authors for outstanding contributions to the art of the written word in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Juvenile Literature, Young Adult Literature, First Work of Fiction, Californiana, and Notable Contribution to Publishing.

Established in 1931. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Club.

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award

First given in 1957, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award has honored quality literature for children for 50 years now. Each spring, a committee of eight carefully selects 30 books to comprise the DCF Master List. After reading at least 5 books from the list, students then vote for their favorite titles the following spring. The winning author is invited to visit Vermont to speak with children about the experience of writing such fine literature for such fine people.

Established in 1957. Sponsored by the Vermont State PTA and the Vermont Department of Libraries.

Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award

Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award for a Wisconsin author/illustrator. Presented by the Wisconsin Library Association for distinguished achievement in children's literature.

Established in 1992. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association.

June 11, 2007

Evergreen Young Adult Book Award

The Evergreen Young Adult Book Award is sponsored by WASHYARG, Washington Young Adult Review Group.

Voters for this award must be in grades 7 - 12. Each must read two or more titles and cast only one vote per ballot.

Established in 1991. Sponsored by the Washington Young Adult Review Group.

Flicker Tale Children's Book Award

The first children's book award given by the North Dakota Library Association was in 1978 under the name Children's Choice Award. This award was presented each year at the annual conference through 1985. The award was not given in 1986. In September, 1986 the name was changed to the current name: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award.

Established in 1978. Sponsored by the North Dakota Library Association.

Friends of Children and Literature (FOCAL) Award

Established in 1979, The Friends of Children and Literature brings children, books, and authors together through special events and programs at the Central Library. FOCAL also established the FOCAL Award which is presented annually to an author or illustrator for a creative work which enriches a child’s appreciation for and understanding of California.

Established in 1980. Sponsored by the Friends of Children and Literature.

Garden State Children's Book Award

http://www.njla.org/honorsawards/book/index.htmlThe Garden State Children's Book Awards were established in 1977 to honor books for younger readers. The Children's Services Section (CSS) of the New Jersey Library Association felt that books for the early and middle grades seldom received proper recognition. Yet it is at this age, more than any other, that the potential reader needs to be encouraged, stimulated and captivated by the printed work and good illustration.

Established in 1977. Sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association.

Garden State Teen Book Award

The Garden State Teen Book Award is a project of the Adult/Young Adult Section of the New Jersey Library Association. Its awards committee, representing libraries from throughout the state, selected the nominees based on teen appeal and quality of writing from the previous year's "Best Books" list. Ballots have been distributed to New Jersey school and public librarians.

Established in 1995. Sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association.

Gateway Readers Awards

Because reading is the gateway to knowledge and lifelong learning, because the teen years are the gateway to adulthood, and because Missouri was the gateway to the Old West, the Gateway Readers Award is for authors of books chosen by high school students in Missouri.

Librarians serving young adults in school and public libraries recognize the need for books written for this audience. We know that the quality of this writing is an imperative so that, as adults, our patrons will continue to seek knowledge and recreation through well-written books.

Georgia Children's Book Award

The Georgia Children's Book Award was established in 1968 by Sheldon Root, Professor of the Department of Language Education in the College of Education at the University of Georgia. The purpose of the award is to foster a love of reading in the children of Georgia, and to introduce them to books of literary excellence. The award is given in two categories – picture books and middle grade novels. Books are nominated for the awards by teachers and media specialists from the state of Georgia. The final lists of 20 nominees are selected by a committee of teachers and media specialists (chaired by a member of the faculty from the Department of Language and Literacy Education).

Established in 1968. Sponsored by the Department of Language Education in the College of Education at the University of Georgia.

Golden Archer Award

The Golden Archer Award is presented to authors of books nominated by students.

Established in 1973. Sponsored by Wisconsin Educational Media Association.

Golden Sower Award

On top of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, stands a 19,000 pound, bronze statue known as the Sower. He stands barefoot and without hat, sowing seeds in the most primitive manner. He is symbolic of the state of Nebraska as a major agricultural state. He is not merely sowing seeds of grain, but something much greater. He is the symbol of sowing the seeds of agriculture, life, hope and prosperity.

The Sower was chosen as the symbol of the Nebraska children's choice literary award for similar reasons.


Established in 1981. Sponsored by the Nebraska Library Association.

Great Stone Face Award

The Children's Librarians of NH have chosen 25 new titles for 2006-2007 to read for students grades four through six for the Great Stone Face Award.

Established in 1982. Sponsored by Children's Librarians of New Hampshire.

Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award

The Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award is an Atlantic Canadian book award which allows children to choose their favourite Canadian and Atlantic Canadian books. This year, the children will read from a selection of forty books divided in four categories: English Fiction, English Non-fiction, French Fiction and French Non-fiction, chosen for their literary, cultural and enjoyment factors. The books have generally been published within two or three years of selection.

Established in 1999. Sponsored by various Atlantic Canada institutions.

Indian Paintbrush Book Award

Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council, the Indian Paintbrush Book Award provides the opportunity for Wyoming youth in grades 4-6 to select a favorite book and honor its author.

Estalbished in . Sposnored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council.

IODE (Toronto) Book Award

Since 1974 the Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE has presented an award intended to encourage the publication of books for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. The award and accompanying cash prize of $1,000 are given annually to either an illustrator or an author of a book judged to contribute to children’s reading, and is chosen by a Committee set up by the Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE. The award-winner must be a Canadian citizen, resident in Toronto or the surrounding area, and the book must be published in Canada.

Established in 1974. Sponsored by the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire.

Iowa Children's Choice Award

The purposes of the Iowa Children's Choice Award are:

• to encourage children to read more and better books. • to discriminate in choosing worthwhile books. • to provide an avenue for positive dialogue between teacher, parent, and children about books and authors. • to give recognition to those who write books for children.

The award is unique in that it gives children an opportunity to choose the book to receive the award and to suggest books for the yearly reading list.

Established in 1991. Sponsored by Iowa Association of School Librarians.

Joan G. Sugarman Children's Book Award

The Sugarman Children’s Book Award was a gift from Joan Sugarman to her late husband, Norman. It was created in 1987, the first of three awards that honor her husband. Others include the Norman A. Sugarman Biography Award, a bi-annual national honor for the best biography written in the United States, administered by the Cleveland Public Library. And, a third award, administered by the DC Jewish Community Center, which recognizes books with Judaic excellence for children and young adults.

Established in 1987. Sponsored by Washington Independent Writers Legal and Educational Fund.

John and Patricia Beatty Award

The California Library Association's John and Patricia Beatty Award honors the author of a distinguished book for children or young adults that best promotes an awareness of California and its people. A committee of librarians selects the winning title from books published in the United States within a given year. Patricia Beatty donated the initial cash endowment for the Award. It now honors both her husband, John Beatty, who served as professor of English history and humanities at the University of California at Riverside prior to his death in 1975, and Patricia herself who died in 1991. Together the Beattys wrote eleven books of fiction for young readers; Patricia Beatty wrote numerous other books for young people, of which many have California or western settings. It was Patricia Beatty's hope that the Award will encourage the writing of quality children's books that bring us an awareness of California, its heritage or its future.

Established in 1988. Sponsored by Book Wholesalers, Inc.

Judy Lopez Memorial Awards for Children's Literature

The Judy Lopez Memorial Awards for Children's Literature, which have grown in prestige over the years, were established in 1985 to honor the memory of one of our founding members, who was a bookseller, publisher's representative, and lifelong lover of children's books. They are given annually to recognize works of literary excellence for nine- to twelve-year-olds. To be eligible for consideration, books must have been published in the United States in the year preceding the award (in 2002 for the 2003 award, for example), and the author must be a citizen or resident of the United States. The winning titles each year are selected by a Southern California-based panel of librarians and other professionals who work with books for young readers.

Established in 1985. Sponsored by the Women's National Book Association, Los Angeles Chapter.

June Franklin Naylor Award

The June Franklin Naylor Award for the Best Book for Children on Texas History, endowed by the family of June Franklin Naylor and sponsored by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, is given annually to the author/illustrator of the most distinguished book for children and young adults, grades K-12, that accurately portrays the history of Texas, whether fiction or nonfiction.

Established in 2004. Sponsored by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library.

Kentucky Bluegrass Awards

The purpose of the Kentucky Bluegrass Award is to encourage the students of Kentucky in grades K through 12 to read quality children's literature. The KBA is one of approximately 45 state children's choice awards nationwide. All Kentucky public and private schools as well as public libraries are welcome to participate in the program.


Established in 1982. Sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University Libraries.

Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature

In 1991, SLMS/NYLA established the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature. It recognizes a New York State author who has demonstrated, through a body of work, a consistently superior quality which supports the curriculum and the educational goals of New York State School.

The award is named for a group of 19th century New York State authors who wished to nurture a national literature. It is presented annually to a living author/illustrator currently residing in New York State.

Tiffany and Company designed the crystal award for which Beverly Choltco Devlin designed the graphic.

Established in 1991. Sponsored by the New York Library Association.

June 12, 2007

Ladybug Award

The Ladybug Picture Book Award is designed to promote early literacy and honor the best in recent children's picture books. A committee of children's librarians from around the state selects 10 picture book titles early in the year. Then, during Children's Book Week in November, New Hampshire children from preschoolers to those in third grade choose the award winner. The winning picture book is announced at the end of the year. The author and illustrator of the winning book will receive a crystal award created by Pepi Herrmann Crystal.

Established in 2003. Sponsored by the New Hampshire State Library.

Land of Enchantment Book Award

The Land of Enchantment Book Award is an exciting program designed to encourage the youth of New Mexico to read outstanding books of literary quality.

A committee selects two lists of books -- children's and young adult. Then, New Mexico’s young people read and vote for the winners.

The Land of Enchantment Book Award is New Mexico's annual state book award.

Established in 1981. Sponsored by the New Mexico Library Association, the New Mexico Council of the International Reading Association, and the New Mexico State Library.

Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award

The Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award is a reading enrichment program of the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana underwritten by Capital One with additional support from Perma-Bound Books. The program was established in 1999 with the first award given in 2000. The purpose of the program is to foster a love of reading in the children of Louisiana by motivating them to participate in the selection and recognition of outstanding books.

Established in 1999. Sponsored by Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana, Capital One, and Perma-Bound Books.

Lupine Award

The Lupine Award is presented annually by the Youth Services Section Interest Group of the Maine Library Association, to recognize an outstanding contribution to children's literature of Maine. This award is granted to encourage the reading, writing and appreciation of children's books, and to foster pride in the state of Maine.

Established in 1989. Sponsored by Maine Library Association.

Katahdin Award

The Youth Services Section Interest Group of the Maine Library Association wishes to encourage the reading, writing, illustrating and study of children's literature in Maine; to elevate the status of children's literature in Maine, and to foster pride in our native state.

The Katahdin Award, chosen by the Lupine Committee, is a lifetime achievement award given by the Youth Services Section Interest Group of the Maine Library Association to recognize an outstanding body of work of children's literature in Maine by one author or illustrator. The award may be given annually but may not necessarily be given each year. The award consists of a commemorative set of bookends or a stone carving.

Established in 1999. Sponsored by the Maine Library Association.

Maine Student Book Award (MSBA)

The Maine Student Book Award (MSBA) is given annually to the book selected by Maine students in grades four through eight as their favorite book of the year. Since Augusta school librarian Ernest Bradbury first established the Maine Student Book Award in 1989, the number of participating schools. libraries, and other student groups has grown each year.

Established in 1989. Sponsored by the Maine Library Association, the Maine Association of School Librarians, and the Maine Reading Association.

Mark Twain Award

The Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) sponsors three children's choice book awards: the Show Me Readers Award, the Mark Twain Award and the Gateway Readers Award. The Mark Twain Award is selected by students in grades four through eight and presented annually. Nominations of titles of literary merit for the stated grade range to be considered for the award are invited.

Established in 1972. Sponsored by Missouri Association of School Librarians.

Show Me Readers Award

The Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) sponsors three children's choice book awards, the Show Me Readers Award, the Mark Twain Award and the Gateway Readers Award. The Show Me Readers Award is selected by students in grades one through three and presented annually. Nominations of titles of literary merit for the stated grade range to be considered for the award are invited.

The Show Me Readers Award is a children's choice award sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Librarians.

Established in 1995. Sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Librarians.

Gateway Readers Award

The Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) sponsors three children's choice book awards, the Show Me Readers Award, the Mark Twain Award and the Gateway Readers Award. The winner of the Gateway Readers Award is selected by students in grades nine through twelve.

Established in 2003. Sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Librarians.

Massachusetts Children's Book Award

The reason for establishing the Massachusetts Children's Book Award program in 1975 was the observation by the award founder, Dr. Helen Constant, that once having learned to read, many children lose interest in books when they reach the intermediate grades. Designed for school children in grades 4-6, the program also included grades 7-9 from 1978 through 1983.

Presently, fourth, fifth and sixth graders who have read five books from the Master List vote for their favorite book. Participating teachers, librarians, and interested publishers nominate titles for the program. A selection committee works with the nominations and chooses 25 titles to appear on the Master List.

Established in 1975. Sponsored by Salem State College.

Maud Hart Lovelace

With this award, Minnesota honors the beloved author Maud Hart Lovelace. Ms. Lovelace was a famous Minnesota author, born and raised in Mankato at the turn of the twentieth century. Maud loved reading and wrote stories from the time she was a child. Her first poems were printed when she was ten. By eighteen, she had sold her first story. Through her Betsy and Tacy Series, Ms. Lovelace has left a lasting history of Minnesota. It is because of her creativity and enduring work that MYRA honors Maud Hart Lovelace through a children and young adult book award.

Established in 1979. Sponsored by Minnesota Youth Reading Awards.

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award

This award, divided into the categories of Young Adult and Children, is presented to the two Manitoba writers whose books for young people are judged the best written. The books must have been published in 2006. The two winning authors will each receive a cash award of $2,500 donated by McNally Robinson Booksellers.

Established in 2001. Sponsored by McNally Robinson Booksellers.

Great Lakes Great Books Award

The Great Lakes Great Books Award is given annually to five books chosen by Michigan students in grades K-12. Books are nominated by students, teachers, librarians, publishers, and others interested in excellent quality books for children and teens. Students read the books nominated for their grade level and vote for their favorite. Winning books are announced at the Michigan Reading Association's annual conference in March.

The Great Lakes Great Books Award encourages children and teens to read more great books. It provides excellent opportunities for young people to discuss books, writing, and illustration with their teachers, parents, librarians, and other caring adults. The award recognizes authors of great books for young people for the wonderful work they do to promote joyous literacy.

Established in 1995. Sponsored by the Michigan Reading Association.

Mitten Award

The Mitten Award is an annual award presented through the Michigan Library Association's Children's Services Division. The mission fo the Mitten Award is "To recognize one children's book published in the United States within the calendar year that has captured the attention of the children's librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience."

Established in 1999. Sponsored by the Michigan Library Association's Children's Services Division.

Nene Award

Each year, Hawaii's elementary and middle school children vote for their favorite fiction book and present the author with the prized Nene Award. This is an exciting time filled with reading and sharing, and voting for the best.

The award began in 1959 when third graders at the University Elementary Lab School decided to create a book award. The Nene Goose, Hawaii's State Bird, was chosen for the award's motif. That year, the children selected The Blue Mountain by Beth Lewis as the first winner of the fledgling Nene Award.

Established in 1959. Sponsored by the Hawaii State Public Library System.

Nevada Young Readers' Award

The Nevada Young Reader’s Award was first established in the fall of 1987 by the Nevada Department of Education. Since then, the award has grown each year. The Nevada Young Readers’ Award is sponsored by the Nevada Library Association. The purpose of the Nevada Young Readers’ Award is to encourage Nevada youth to read modern works of juvenile literature; develop a love of reading and lifelong reading habits; and promotes a sense of community through a statewide reading program.

Established in 1987. Sponsored by the Nevada Library Association.

North Carolina Children's Book Award

The North Carolina Children's Book Award began in 1992. Each year since then, school and public libraries participate in the process of selecting, studying and voting for the next winner! Members of the North Carolina Library Association's children's committee select a group of picture books and junior novels from suggestions submitted by North Carolinian school children. The list of books is then given to each school and public library throughout the state. During the course of the year, classroom teachers, media specialists and public librarians in North Carolina encourage children to become familiar with the nominees and vote for their favorite title in two categories: "Picture Book" and "Junior Book". The award is therefore truly a children's book award - selected by the children of the state of North Carolina!

Established in 1992. Sponsored by North Carolina Library Association.

Nutmeg Book Award

The Nutmeg Book Award encourages children in grades 4-8 to read quality literature and to choose their favorite from a list of ten nominated titles. Jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Educational Media Association (CEMA), the Nutmeg Committee is comprised of children's librarians and school library media specialists who are members of our sponsoring organizations.

Established in 1993. Sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Educational Media Association (CEMA).

Oregon Book Awards

The Oregon Book Awards are presented annually for the finest accomplishments by Oregon writers who work in genres of poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama and young readers literature. All finalists are promoted in libraries and bookstores across the state, and invited to take part in the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour, which brings finalists to public libraries and independent bookstores in towns including La Grande, Klamath Falls, Roseburg and Astoria. Oregon Book Awards Special Awards honor some of the state’s most dedicated supporters and lovers of books.

Established in 1986. Sponsored by Literary Arts.

Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award

The Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award is the oldest children's choice award in the U.S. and Canada. The award was established in 1940 by a Seattle bookseller, the late Harry Hartman, who believed every student should have an opportunity to select a book that gives him or her pleasure.

The Young Reader's Choice Award Selection Policy was adopted by the Board of the Pacific Northwest Library Association in 2006.

Established in 1940. Sponsored by Pacific Northwest Library Association.

Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature

The NSW Premier's Literary Awards were established by Premier Neville Wran in 1979. They were the first comprehensive awards of their kind in Australia and remain the most comprehensive and best remunerated in the country.

Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature is one the of the NSW Premier's Literary Awards awarded annually.

Established in 1979. Sponsored by the NSW Department of the Arts.

Pennsylvania Reader's Choice Award Program

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award is to promote reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in children's literature, and to honor authors whose work has been recognized by the children of Pennsylvania.

Established in 1999. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association.

Prairie Bud & Pasque Children's Book Awards

The Prairie Bud & Pasque Children's Book Awards are sponsored by the South Dakota Library Association. Prairie Bud winners are determined by South Dakota kindergarten, first, second and third grade students. Prairie Pasque winners are determined by South Dakota fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. Students are encouraged to read and vote for their one favorite book of the year from the masterlists of fifteen titles. The books receiving the most votes from the students win the awards. A committee of educators and librarians select the books nominated for the awards.

Established in 1987. Sponsored by the South Dakota State Library.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award was developed to encourage children and young adults to read for personal satisfaction. It is an Illinois award for outstanding literature for young people and is sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois School Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.

Established in 1988. Sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois School Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.

Red Clover Award

The Red Clover Award promotes the reading and discussion of the best of contemporary picture books in nearly all of Vermont's elementary schools. Each year over 29,000 K-4 students read, or have read to them, the ten nominated books.

Established in 1997. Sponsored by Windham County Reads.

Rhode Island Children's Book Award

The Rhode Island Children's Book Award started in 1990 as a joint project of the Rhode Island State Council of the International Reading Association (RISC/IRA), the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) and the Rhode Island Educational Media Association (RIEMA) under the coordinatorship of the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS). Each of the participating bodies selects three representatives who each serve three year terms on a revolving basis.

Established in 1990. Sponsored by Rhode Island State Council of the International Reading Association (RISC/IRA), the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) and the Rhode Island Educational Media Association (RIEMA).

Rocky Mountain Book Award

The Rocky Mountain Book Award is a readers’ choice program, which invites students to choose the best book from a shortlist. This Alberta-based program is designed to stimulate the reading interests of students in grades 4-7. Students and educators are invited to read exemplary Canadian literature, and then the students vote for their favorite book. This award program is for schools, libraries, and interested groups of students. This may include children who are being home-schooled or families who wish to become involved in reading good Canadian children’s literature. Each reading group must have a teacher or adult leader.

Established in 2001. Sponsored by various parties.

Saskatchewan Book Awards

The Saskatchewan Book Awards were established in 1993 by the joint efforts of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Saskatchewan Publishers Group and Saskatchewan Library Association. Saskatchewan Book Awards Inc. was incorporated in 1994.

Our mandate is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Saskatchewan authors and publishers and help promote their books. Awards have been added or changed according to demand and when a sponsor can be found. Leading up to the awards, short list readings help promote nominated books. The awards gala, held toward the end of November, positions winning books for the Christmas market.

Established in 1993. Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Saskatchewan Publishers Group and Saskatchewan Library Association.

Sequoyah Book Awards

With this award, Oklahoma honors the Native American leader Sequoyah, for his unique achievement in creating the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah chose eighty-five symbols to represent all spoken sounds of the Cherokee language. In so doing, he created a way to preserve his people's language and culture.

Established in 1959. Sponsored by Oklahoma Library Association.

British Columbia Book Prizes

The BC Book Prizes, established in 1985, celebrate the achievements of British Columbia writers and publishers.

The Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize is awarded annually as part of the British Columbia Book Prize program to the best children's book published in the previous year written by a writer who has been resident in British Columbia (or the Yukon) for three of the previous five years, published anywhere in the world. Deadline for submissions is December 1st, annually.

Established in 1985. Sponsored by various entities.

Soaring Eagle Award

Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council, the Soaring Eagle Book Award will provide the opportunity for Wyoming youth in grades 7-12 to select a favorite book and honor its author.

Established in 1989. Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council.

Southwest Book Awards

Since 1971 the Southwest Book Awards have been presented in recognition of outstanding books about the Southwest published each year in any genre (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, reference) and directed toward any audience (scholarly, popular, children). Original video and audio materials are also considered.

Established in 1971. Sponsored by the Border Regional Library Association.

Sunshine State Young Reader's Award

The Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Program is a statewide reading motivation program for students in grades 3-8. The program, cosponsored by the School Library Media Services Office of the Department of Education and the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME), began in 1983. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for personal satisfaction, based on interest rather than reading level.

Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Students are encouraged to read books that are above, on, and below their tested reading level in order to improve their reading fluency.

Established in 1983. Sponsored by the School Library Media Services Office of the Department of Education and the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME).

Texas Bluebonnet Award

The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was established in 1979 to encourage Texas children to read more books, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favorite books. The award process provides librarians, teachers, parents, and writers with insight into young students' reading preferences. It further affords an opportunity to honor and encourage imaginative authors who create books with high appeal to children.

Established in 1981. Sponsored by the Texas Library Association.

Pheme Tanner Award

The Pheme Tanner Award is a biennial award presented as part of the La Trobe University, Bendigo Children's Literature Conference. It is jointly sponsored by La Trobe University, Bendigo and the Business and Professional Women's Association (BPWA) of Bendigo. It is presented to recognize distinguished service to Children's Literature and the encouragement of the joys of reading in children.

The award commemorates Miss Euphemia Tanner (1914 - 1993), who was the Bendigo Library's Children's Librarian from 1946 to 1979 and one of the first full-time children's librarians in Australia. Her enthusiasm for literature and wide knowledge of children's books influenced a generation of readers. Her greatest reward, she said, was to know that she had left so many children with a love of books and introduced them to the joys of reading.
She was also President and long time member of the BPWA, raising issues of the status of women in professional life. She took a firm and determined stand on many situations and projects that affected not only her own professional life, but also those of her staff, her peers and all professional women.

Miss Tanner was energetic and enthusiastic, often single-minded and forthright. She made immense contribution to the strong traditions of libraries and children's literature in Bendigo, and was responsible for generations of children in central Victoria reading widely, critically and well.

Established in 1995. Sponsored by the La Trobe University, Bendigo and the Business and Professional Women's Association (BPWA) of Bendigo.

Sasquatch Award

The Sasquatch Award nominees require children to read or have read to them at least two titles in order to vote.

As you may notice in the brochure, we are specifically vague about age and grade level. Our intent is that any child who reads or has read to them two titles, may vote. That student might be a first grader or a tenth grader.


During the first year the committee was exclusively people who happened to attend the board meeting mentioned. The second year, we solicited membership which now includes both public librarians and school librarians and folks from different regions of the state.

This committee meets in the early spring, in Ellensburg. We each bring our pile of book nominations with us. We solicit nominations from teachers, students, a few book shop owners and other librarians. We constantly try to focus on titles that children like and want to read while continually discussing the merits of individual titles in a series such as Redwall, American Girl, etc.

The actual process is a round robin in which each member presents their best title. We do this about three times around or until everyone feels that have presented the titles that have been most favored in their region. At this point we start discussing various titles, balance of male and female focus, ethnic diversity, and a variety of reading levels ranging from the earliest chapter book reader on up. One year we decided to include one picture book for older students (Passage to Freedom) as well as an autobiographical title (Basher Five-Two). I guess we then trust our instincts and negotiate the final list.

The actual award is a pewter goblet with the logo, the author's name, the title of the book and the year engraved. The Washington Children's Choice Award is a small pewter plate. Both awards are presented at the Fall WLMA state conference and then mailed to the winners, if not present.

Established in 1997. Sponsored by Washington Library Media Association.

Willow Awards

Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice - The Willow Awards, Inc. (SYRCA) is a volunteer-run non-profit, charity begun in 2001. The mission of The Willow Awards is to promote reading by granting a "Willow Award" to the Canadian and/or Saskatchewan book(s) voted by Saskatchewan students to be the best of those nominated in designated categories for a specific year.

Established in 2002. Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice.

Thumbs Up! Award

The Thumbs Up! Award was established in 1986 to recognize the excellence, and to celebrate the uniqueness of Teen/Young Adult literature. A committee, consisting of Young Adult and Teen Librarians, meets several times during the year to determine the winner. Beginning in 2001, the Thumbs Up! Committee has included a teen vote.

Established in 1986. Sponsored by the Michigan Library Association.

Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

The award was established in 1995 by the College of Education at Texas State University–San Marcos to encourage authors, illustrators and publishers of books that authentically reflect the lives of Mexican American children and young adults in the United States.

The first award for books published in 1995 occurred September 16, 1996 at a special celebration on the Texas State University–San Marcos campus.

Established in 1996. Sponsored by the College of Education at Texas State University–San Marcos.

Treasure State Award

Carole Monlux, Missoula County Schools Librarian, and Bette Ammon, Missoula Public Library (now Director of the Coeur D'Alene Public Library), established Montana's picture book award, The Treasure State Award, in 1990. They wanted an award program for younger children because for over 50 years, students in grades fourth through eighth have been participating in the Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award. Their purpose was and continues to be to foster reading for pleasure, encourage critical reading skills, and expose readers and listeners to a variety of authors and illustrators.

The criteria for selection are relatively simple. Anyone can nominate titles for the ballot of five picture books. These nominated titles need to have been published within the last five years and are chosen for their powerful appeal to readers and listeners. Some nominations are submitted along with voting tallies. Students in grades K-3 vote during the first two weeks in March, and they must read or listen to all five titles on the ballot. The book receiving the most votes is the winner.

Established in 1990. Sponsored by Missoula Public Library.

Virginia Readers' Choice

PURPOSE:
* to encourage young readers to become better acquainted with contemporary books with outstanding literary appeal,

* to broaden students' awareness of literature as a life-long pleasure,

* to encourage reading aloud in classrooms as a means of introducing reading for pleasure, and

* to honor favorite books and their authors.

Established in 1981. Sponsored by Virginia State Reading Association.

Volunteer State Book Award

Purpose of the Award
The purpose of the Volunteer State Book Award is to promote awareness, interest, and enjoyment of good new children’s and young adult literature. The award also hopes to promote literacy and life-long reading habits by encouraging students to read quality contemporary literature, which broadens understanding of the human experience and provides accurate, factual information. This award will honor outstanding books chosen annually by Tennessee students.

Established in 1978.

West Virginia Children's Book Award

The West Virginia Children's Book Award Committee believes books should be more than merely entertaining, although that is an essential element. Books should add to children's knowledge and enrich their understanding of the world. Reading quality fiction is one way to increase their awareness and appreciation of varied cultures and social patterns, and to experience adventures and activities that are perhaps not possible in their own lives or in real life.

Books are selected based on literary excellence and appropriateness of content. Literary excellence is determined by critical acclaim in recognized reviews of children's books and by the experienced judgment of the committee. Appropriateness of content, also determined by critical judgment, refers to a book's suitability for the emotional maturity and experience of readers in the designated age levels.

Established in 1984. Sponsored by multiple entities.

Young Hoosier Book Award

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).