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:
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:
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.