The Louisiana Young Readers' Choice program was founded in 1999 with the first award given in 2000. Participation in this program has climbed from 5,485 votes the first year to over 29,000 students participating in 2009. 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:

2021-2022 LOUISIANA READERS' CHOICE WINNERS

3-5th Grade

Winner: The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) written by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno

Honor: Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team (HarperCollins Children's Books) written by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

6-8th Grade

Winner: New Kid (Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins) written and illustrated by Jerry Craft

Honor: Maybe He Just Likes You (Aladdin, Simon & Schuster) written by Barbara Dee

9-12th Grade

Winner: Two Can Keep a Secret (Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House) written by Karen M. McManus

Honor: With the Fire on High (Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins) written by Elizabeth Acevedo

To be Qualified to Vote Each Student:

• Must read 2 or more titles (9-12th) or 3 or more titles (K-2nd, 3-5th, 6-8th) on the ballot.
• Must live in Louisiana.
• Must be in grades K-2nd, 3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th (or equivalent).
• Students with special needs may participate regardless of their grade.
• May vote only once and vote for only one book

How To Submit Votes:

• Each student may vote in his/her participating school or public library.
• Teachers and librarians must total the votes of their class or group and submit the tally. Individual ballots from students in groups will not be accepted. You may submit your votes online with the Vote Submittal Forms.
• The Vote Submittal Forms may be submitted online or printed and emailed to mthomas@slol.lib.la.us with Subject "Voting for LRC" or mailed to Megan Thomas, LRC, State Library of Louisiana, PO Box 131, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
• Children who do not have access to a participating school or library may submit the Vote Submittal Form directly from the web site or they may mail or fax the ballot.
• Blind and physically handicapped students may submit their votes directly to the Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Call 1-800-543-4702.
• The Vote Submittal Forms must be filled out completely with name and complete address. Incomplete forms will not be counted.

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.