LOUISIANA YOUNG READERS' CHOICE AWARD

10th Anniversary

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 founded by the State Library’s Youth Services Consultant, Gale Criswell, 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 recognition of outstanding books.

Each year two ballots of 15 titles are compiled by a committee of school and public librarians: one for students in grades 3-5 and one for students in grades 6-8. Suggestions for titles to be considered for the ballot may be sent to the chair of the committee. The ballots are a well-balanced selection of high-quality fiction, nonfiction and poetry.   Students may read or listen to the books and vote for their favorite one.  This is a great way to involve students in literature and get them excited about reading for pleasure.

The titles that receive the most votes from the students are the award winners.  The books with the second most votes are the honor books. The award or honor book authors or illustrators are invited to the Louisiana Book Festival in the fall to accept the awards.

Questions, comments or suggestions for titles may be directed to in library development at        (225) 342-4931.

Suggestions for Titles

How to Promote LYRC in Schools

Public Library and School Cooperation

AWARD WINNERS 2009

(for previous winners, click here)

Award Winner for Grades 3-5                                         Honor Book for Grades 3-5

The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine                            Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare
Click Here to Read a letter from                                         by Patricia Polacco
Anne Fine and Tuffy (the Killer Cat)                                  

Award Winner for Grades 6-8                                            Honor Book for Grades 6-8
Secrets of my Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita                      Storm Thief by Chris Wooding
Click Here to Read a letter from Jen Calonita

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Promotional materials, including posters, brochures, bookmarks, and seals for award books, are available free of charge.

Beginning in July 2009, you may Order Promotional Materials Here.  You may email your order to amilton@state.lib.la.us. The order form may be printed and faxed to (225) 342-3547, or it may be mailed to Library Development, State Library of Louisiana, PO Box 131, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

LOGO Click here for reproducible images of the LYRC SEAL black and white or  color. 
Two new clip art images are available this year:
Pelican 1 (Black and White, Full Color)
Pelican 2 (Black and White, Full Color)

LYRC VOTING PROCEDURES

Votes must be submitted by February 1, 2010.

TIMELINE

• Fall 2009 Students read books on the 2010 Ballots. Promotional materials for the 2010 Ballots will be available from theState Library August of 2009.
• February 1, 2010 Deadline for submitting votes to State Library for Ballots 2010.
• March 2010 Announcement of voting results and award winners.
• Spring 2010 presentation of 2011 LYRC ballots at the annual Louisiana Library Association Conference.

LYRC 2010 TITLES

(For previous lists and accompanying Study Guides and PowerPoints, click here)

Title List - Ballot 2010 Grades 6-8

PowerPoints

Presentation Grades 3-5

Presentation Grades 6-8

PowerPoint Presentations by Kirsten M. Steintrager, Our Lady of Mercy School, Baton Rouge

2010 Additional Resources

Voting Ballot - Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Students can mark their favorite title, formerly were available as ballot notepads 

Study Guides  -  Study Guides prepared by Library School graduate students Elizabeth Borne and Kimberly Callais.

Booktalks -  Sample booktalks submitted by LYRC committee members and other Louisiana librarians

2010 Brochure in PDF Format

** An achievement certificate is available upon request for those students who have read all 15 titles on the LYRC ballot.  These are excellent to give out at the end of the school year award ceremony. 

For even MORE Additional Resources Click Here

LYRC 2011 TITLES

Title List - 2011 Grades 3-5
Annotated Bibliography 2011 Grades 3-5

Title List - 2011 Grades 6-8
Annotated Bibliography 2011 Grades 6-8

2011 Additional Resources

Consideration lists for the 2011 nominees:  3-5th Grade List, 6-8th Grade List
The titles above were strongly considered by the LYRC committees but did not make the final list of 2011 nominated titles.

** Please Note: Beginning with the 2011 list, there will only be 12 titles for 6-8th grade.  The rules remain the same, read three titles and vote for your favorite.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE LYRC AWARD

BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED SERVICES FOR LYRC PARTICIPANTS

Additional Questions may be addressed to Angela Germany, Teen Services Consultant at (225) 342-4931 agermany@slol.lib.la.us