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Arkansas Charlie May Simon Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2022-23

See Book List    2021-22

Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominees

See Book List  2022-23

See Book List    2021-22

Arkansas Teen Book Award Nominees 2021-22

See Book List    Level 1

See Book List    Level 2

The Charlie May Simon Book Award was created to promote reading, discussion of books and quality children’s literature for students in Grades 4-6. Each year, intermediate grade students read from a list of recommended titles and cast a ballot for their favorite book. Ballots are distributed in early spring by a Commissioner’s Memo posted on the Web. The winning author receives the Charlie May Simon Medallion during an annual fall celebration.

The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award made its debut in 1998. The award was established to encourage reading for students in Grades K-3. In its first year, more than 52,000 Arkansas primary students participated in the voting process. This award follows the same procedures used in selecting the Charlie May Simon Award.

The Arkansas Teen Book Award recognizes books in two divisions: Level 1, grades 7-9 and Level 2, grades 10-12. The books chosen for the final teen reading lists were read and voted on by teachers and librarians across Arkansas. Students vote at their school library or a local public library for their favorite book from the list of nominated titles

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Illinois Monarch Award – Illinois’ K-3 Readers Choice Award Nominees

See Book List    2022

See Book List    2023

Illinois Bluestem Award – Illinois’ Readers Choice Award Nominees

See Book List    2022

See Book List    2023

Illinois Lincoln Award – Illinois’ Teen Readers Choice Award Nominees

See Book List    2022

See Book List    2023

Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2022

See Book List    2023

See Book List    2024

In the summer of 2002, several past presidents of ISLMA discussed the need for a K-3 children’s book award. The ISLMA Board established a work group to investigate creation of such an award. In April 2003, ISLMA approved the establishment and support of The Monarch Award: Illinois’ K-3 Readers’ Choice Award. The name Monarch was chosen because of its familiarity to K-3 children and to symbolize the growth, change and freedom that becoming a reader brings. The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children’s books, authors and illustrators. The program is open to all K-3 age children in Illinois

In the spring of 2008, the ISLMA board approved establishing a committee to explore the possibility of a new book award that would fit between the Monarch and Rebecca Caudill Awards. Interested library media specialists met in June, and an outline of the proposed new award was presented to the board in August. In September, a survey about the new award was conducted, and 92% of respondents favored the creation of a new award. The ISLMA board approved the new award at their October meeting. The award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles. Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the The Bluestem Award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists.

The Lincoln Award is given to the book from that year’s master list that earns the highest number of student votes. For a book to reach the master list, adult and young adult fiction and nonfiction titles must be nominated by teachers or librarians and vetted by the nominations committee. While the popularity of a particular title is important, the overall quality of the work is of primary importance. Each year, a panel of high school librarians, teachers, public librarians and students determines the final master list of twenty titles. Registered schools promote these books, and students who have read four or more titles are eligible to vote.  This program encourages teens to read for pleasure and to become lifelong readers. Named after former President Abraham Lincoln, an avid reader and noted author, the Lincoln Award is sponsored by AISLE and administered by the steering committee.

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults. 

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Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees 2023-24

See Book List    Picture Book

See Book List    Intermediate

See Book List    Middle Grade

Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees 2022-23

See Book List    Picture Book

See Book List    Intermediate

See Book List    Middle Grade

Indiana Eliot Rosewater High School Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2022-23

See Book List    2021-22

The Young Hoosier Book Award Program encourages self-selected reading among elementary and middle school/junior high school children. Select a category below to view each age group’s reading list and access resource guides and activity sheets for each book. Students vote on their favorites!

 Eliot Rosewater is a recurring fictional character in Kurt Vonnegut’s novels, including God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. Vonnegut is a famous Hoosier author who grew up in Indianapolis. This award was named to honor him and all Indiana writers. The Eliot Rosewater High School Book Award is often referred to as the “Rosie Award” or “Rosie.”

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Iowa Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2022

Iowa Goldfinch Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2021 – 22

See Book List    2022-23

Iowa Children’s Choice Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2021-22

See Book List   2022-23

Iowa Teen Book Award Nominees

See Book List    2021-22

See Book List     2022-23

Iowa High School Book Award Nominees 

See Book List    2021-22

See Book List     2022-23

Iowa High School Battle of the Books List

See Book List    2022

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Kansas Book Awards and Reading Lists 2020-23

See Book List     2023 Bill Martin Jr Award Nominee List (K-2)

The William Allen White Children’s Book Award is the oldest statewide Children’s book award in the United States. It was established in 1952 by the late Ruth Garver Gagliardo, a children’s literature specialist at Emporia State University. To honor the memory of one of Kansas’ most distinguished citizens, the award was titled The William Allen White Children’s Book Award. William Allen White was an American author, politician, leader of the Progressive movement and the newspaper editor of The Emporia Gazette.

The Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award was established in 1996 by the Kansas Reading Association. Since March 2018, the award became a state-wide award presented by Emporia State University. The purpose of the award is to promote an appreciation of quality literature in young children across Kansas. The award is named for Bill Martin, Jr., American educator and author of more than 300 children’s books.

KNEA members serve on the Kansas NEA Reading Circle to read and screen the best children’s literature published each year. Since 1926 KNEA has published a list of recommended books by reading level as a service for school librarians and classroom teachers.

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Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award Nominees 2022-23

See Book List   Preschool

See Book List    Grades K-2

See Book List    Grades 3-5

See Book List    Grades 6-8

See Book List    Grades 9-12

Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award Nominees 2021-22

See Book List   Preschool

See Book List    Grades K-2

See Book List    Grades 3-5

See Book List    Grades 6-8

See Book List    Grades 9-12

The Kentucky Bluegrass Award is our statewide student-choice reading program. All Kentucky schools and libraries are encouraged to participate in this endeavor to promote quality literature and recreational reading among all of our PreK-12th grade students.

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Michigan Great Lakes’ Great Books Award Nominees 2022-23

See Book List    Grades K-1

See Book List    Grades 2-3

See Book List    Grades 4-5

See Book List    Grades 6-8

See Book List    Grades 9-12

Michigan Great Lakes’ Great Books Award Nominees 2021-22

See Book List    Grades K-1

See Book List    Grades 2-3

See Book List    Grades 4-5

See Book List    Grades 6-8

See Book List    Grades 9-12

The Great Lakes Great Books Award is presented annually by the Michigan Reading Association. Eight nominees in 5 categories are voted on by Michigan K-12 readers, and announced at the spring MRA conference.

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Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award Nominees 2022-23

See Book List    Division I

See Book List    Division II 

See Book List   Crossovers

Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award Nominees 2021-22

See Book List    Division I

See Book List    Division II 

See Book List    Crossovers

Minnesota Star of the North Picture Book Award Nominees 

See Book List    2022-23

Minnesota Star of the North Picture Book Award Nominees 

See Book List    2021-22

The Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award is a children’s read and vote book award. Its purpose is to encourage recreational reading among school age children. Nominated titles are works of fiction of recognized quality selected by independent regional reading groups. Students in grades 3-5 who have read or listened to at least three titles from the Division I nominee list and students in grades 6-8 who have read or listened to at least three titles from the Division II nominee list are eligible to vote for the award.

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Missouri Book Awards and Reading Lists 2023-24

See Book List     2023-24 Show Me Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2023-24 Mark Twain Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2023-24 Truman Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2023-24 Gateway Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

2023 -24 Dogwood Readers Awards Nominees 

See Book List      2023-24 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (K-2)

See Book List     2023-24 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (3-5)

See Book List     2023-24 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (6-8)

See Book List      2023-24 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (9-12)

Missouri Book Awards and Reading Lists 2020-23

See Book List      2020-21 Great Kids Can Read Book Award Nominee List (GKCASL)

See Book List      2021-22 Great Kids Can Read Book Award Nominee List (GKCASL)

See Book List      2022-23 Great Kids Can Read Book Award Nominee List (GKCASL)

See Book List      2020-21 Missouri Building Blocks Picture Book Award Nominees (MLA)

See Book List      2021-22 Missouri Building Blocks Picture Book Award Nominees (MLA)

See Book List      2022-23 Missouri Building Blocks Picture Book Award Nominees (MLA)

See Book List      2021-22 Show Me Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2022-23 Show Me Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2021-22 Mark Twain Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2022-23 Mark Twain Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2021-22 Truman Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2022-23 Truman Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2021-22 Gateway Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2022-23 Gateway Book Award Nominee List (MASL)

See Book List      2020-21 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (K-2)

See Book List     2022-23 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (K-2)

See Book List     2020-21 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (3-5)

See Book List      2022-23 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (3-5)

See Book List      2020-21 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (6-8)

See Book List      2022-23 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (6-8)

See Book List      2020-21 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Award Nominee List (MASL) (9-12)

See Book List      2022-23 Dogwood Nonfiction Book Awards Nominee List (MASL) (9-12)

The purpose of the Mark Twain Award is to provide children of Missouri with a recommended reading list of literature that will enrich their lives. The books should: interest children in grades four through six; be an original work written by an author living in the United States; and be of literary value which may enrich children’s personal lives.

The purpose of the Show Me Readers Award is to promote literature, literacy, and reading through picture books –  in Missouri elementary schools for grades one through three; and to promote recognition of authors and illustrators of books that are favorites of Missouri children in these grades.

The Truman Readers Award encourages students in their early teen years to express their unique voice through exploring new literary genres, communicating with their peers about young adult literature, and honoring authors writing for young teens. The books should interest students in grades 6-8; be written by an author living in the United States, and be of literary value and enrich children’s lives.

The Gateway Readers Award promotes books of interest to young adults in grades nine through twelve and appeal to their needs, interests and reading levels.

The Dogwood Readers Award is a NEW award, promoting books of interest to a range of readers in grades PreK-12 and connect young readers in Missouri with quality non-fiction books to broaden their knowledge of the world.

The GKC Read Program of the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians, promotes reading by providing an annual Nominee List of quality books for students within the 2.8 – 4.8 reading range. Books on the GKC Read Nominee list are intended to introduce quality contemporary literature to students.

The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, sponsored and selected by the Youth Services Community of Interest (YSCI), is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri’s public libraries and is designed to encourage reading aloud to children from birth through kindergarten age.

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Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominees 2023-24

See Book List    Picture Books – Grades K-2

See Book List    Chapter Books – Grades 3-5

See Book List    Novels – Grades 6-8

Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominees 2022-23

See Book List    Picture Books – Grades K-2

See Book List    Chapter Books – Grades 3-5

See Book List    Novels – Grades 6-8

The Golden Sower Award is a children’s choice award given annually to authors and illustrators as determined by the votes of thousands of school-age readers from across Nebraska. The award is given out in three categories: Elementary, Juvenile, and Young Adult. This program facilitates and awards kids for reading the nominees and voting for their favorite.