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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.