The Louisiana Young Readers' Choice program was founded in 1999 with the first award given in 2000. Louisiana’s young people have read nearly 1.4 million books and cast 438,000 votes in the 24 years since the program began. 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. The lists are well-balanced selections of high-quality fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Now entering its 24th year, the program continues to encourage Louisiana’s youth to read for pleasure. The Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award is a reading enrichment program of the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library with additional support from the following sponsors:
3-5th Grade
Winner: Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator (Little Bigfoot, Penguin Random House) written by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter
Honor: Swish! The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Hachette) written by Suzanna Slade, illustrated by Don Tate
6-8th Grade
Winner: Dress Coded (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House)
written by Carrie Firestone
Honor: Twins (Graphix, Scholastic) written by Varian Johnson, illustrated by Shannon Wright
9-12th Grade
Winner: Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir (Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins) written by Robin Ha
Honor: I’ll Be the One (Katherine Tegen Books, HarperCollins) written by Lyla Lee
To be Qualified to Vote Each Student:
How To Submit Votes:
Any student who reads every title on their Louisiana Readers’ Choice Nominated list can receive a certificate of achievement signed by the State Librarian.
** If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Youth Services Consultant, Megan Thomas at mthomas@slol.lib.la.us or 225-342-9716.