Iowa State Awards Book Lists and Nominees

The purpose of the Goldfinch Award (K-3) is 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;  and to give recognition to those who write books for children. The Goldfinch 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.

The purpose of the Iowa Children’s Choice Book Award (3-6) is to encourage to read more and better books;  to provide an avenue for positive dialogue between teachers, parents, and children about books and authors; to give recognition to those who write books for children;  to provide children an opportunity to choose a book to receive the award; and to offer an avenue for students to suggest books for the yearly reading list. The Iowa Children’s Choice 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.

The purpose of the Iowa Teen Award (6-9) is to encourage to read more and better books; to provide an avenue for positive dialogue between teachers, parents, and students about books and authors;  to give recognition to those who write books for 6th – 9th grades;  to provide students an opportunity to choose a book to receive the award; and  to offer an avenue for students to suggest books for the yearly reading list. The Iowa Teen Award is unique in that it gives students an opportunity to choose the book to receive the award and to suggest books for the yearly reading list.

The purpose of the Iowa High School Book Award is to encourage to read more and better books; to provide an avenue for positive dialogue between teachers, parents, and students about books and authors; to give recognition to those who write books for young adults; to provide students an opportunity to choose a book to receive the award; to offer an avenue for students to suggest books for the yearly reading list; to promote leisure reading among Iowa high school students; and to provide Iowa high school students with a diversified, quality reading list.

The purpose of the Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award is to promote early literacy and reading to children through the introduction of quality picture books nominated by a committee of librarians, teachers, preschool and early literacy leaders. The award book will be chosen based on quality and characteristics of a good “read aloud”. The award will engage children in the voting process and develop a lifelong love of books and reading.