Thursday, July 23, 2009

Young Hoosier Book Award

At my previous library in Illinois, I was passionate about the Rebecca Caudill Book Award. I've said time and time again that state book award nominees are a great resource for teachers and parents looking for quality books that have kid appeal. Well, now that I'm working in Indiana, I think it's high time that I post about the Young Hoosier Book Award.

The YHBA is divided into three categories - Picture Books, Intermediate, and Middle Grades. Each list has 20 nominees and kids who read at least 12 of the picture books or five of the intermediate or middle grade books may vote on their favorites.

Since my department serves kids through 5th grade, I'm primarily concerned with the picture book and intermediate lists. (Also of note is the Eliot Rosewater High School Book Award!) I don't typically review picture books on this blog, so today I'm going to post the list of intermediate YHBA nominees.


Young Hoosier Book Award Intermediate Nominees


Archer's Quest by Linda Sue Park.

The Aurora County All-Stars by Deborah Wiles.

Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian*.

Counting on Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban*.

A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin.


Gabriel's Horses by Alison Hart.

Hey There, Stink Bug! by Leslie Bulion


Julia's Kitchen by Brenda Ferber.

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies.

Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt by Judith St. George.

The Many Rides of Paul Revere by James Cross Giblin.

Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Theis Raven.

On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck.

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan.

Punished! by David Lubar.

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo by Sy Montgomery.

The Society of Secret Superheroes: The Great Cape Rescue by Phyllis Shalant.

Starred titles are ones that I've read (pathetic!). Ah, well. The kids don't vote until April, I believe, so I have plenty of time to get caught up. ;)

Any Indiana librarians out there? Do you read the YHBA nominees? Do any special programs for YHBA?