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California Young Reader Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The California Young Reader Medal is a set of five annual literary awards conferred upon picture books and fiction books selected by vote of California schoolchildren from a ballot prepared by committee.[1] The program was established in 1974 with Intermediate, Primary, and Young Adult Medals that were inaugurated in 1975, 1976, and 1977 and were conferred biennially, and annually beginning in 1983.[2][a]

The program is intended to encourage recreational reading and is sponsored by four organizations that promote reading and literacy: the California Association of Teachers of English, the California Library Association, the California Reading Association, and the California School Library Association.[1]

There are five medals, last modified for 2002: Primary (grades K-3), Intermediate (grades 3–6), Middle School/Junior High (grades 6–9), Young Adult (grades 9–12), and Picture Books for Older Readers (grades 4 and up)—that is, roughly age 10 and up.[b] Both writer and illustrator receive the Primary and Picture Book Medals, where applicable.[1]

The ballot for each medal comprises 3–5 books published during the preceding four years—two to five years ago when the process concludes. For example, 17 books published from 2010 to 2013 were nominated for 2014–2015.[3]

Rules and process

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Young readers, their parents, educators, librarians, and "anyone who works with young people" may recommend books. Candidates must be original works of fiction by living authors, available in English, published during the four preceding years and still in print.[4]

Nominations are made by award category and the books should be "often read or requested" and have "strong appeal for the age group".[4] A committee of the sponsoring organizations selects "a well-balanced list of nominees" (finalists), considering merit and appeal.[1]

Children may vote in all categories where they know all of the candidates by reading or hearing read aloud. They cast a combined paper ballot at once, in a classroom or library monitored by an adult.[5][c]

Winners

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The medals in four categories inaugurated in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1980 were biennial until 1983, and thereafter annual.[2] For each category (now five) CYRM maintains a "Booklist" of finalists (3–5 annually) that provides basic bibliographic data for all, and cover images beginning in 2005 or so.[6]

1970s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 19751979[2]
Year Category Author Title
1975 Intermediate Thomas Rockwell How to Eat Fried Worms
1976 Primary Bill Peet How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head
1977 Intermediate Mary Rodgers Freaky Friday
Young Adult Richard Adams Watership Down
1978 Primary Lucy Bate, illus. by Diane de Groat Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth
1979 Intermediate Roald Dahl Danny, the Champion of the World
Young Adult Sandra Scoppettone The Late Great Me

1980s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 19801989[2]
Year Category Author Title
1980 Middle School/Junior High Betsy Byars The Pinballs
Primary Bill Peet Big Bad Bruce
1981 Intermediate Wilson Rawls Summer of the Monkeys
Young Adult Lois Lowry A Summer to Die
1982 Primary Harry Allard, illus. by James Marshall Miss Nelson is Missing
Middle School/Junior High Ellen Conford Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood
1983 Primary Mercer Mayer Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp
Intermediate Judy Blume Superfudge
Middle School/Junior High Judy Blume Tiger Eyes
Young Adult Lois Duncan Summer of Fear
1984 Primary Phyllis Green, illus. by Joel Schick Bagdad Ate It
Intermediate Theodore Taylor The Trouble with Tuck
Middle School/Junior High Paula Danziger There's a Bat in Bunk Five
Young Adult Lois Duncan Stranger with My Face
1985 Primary Carol Chapman, illus. by Kelly Oechsli Herbie's Troubles
Intermediate Lynne Reid Banks The Indian in the Cupboard
Middle School/Junior High Norma Fox Mazer Taking Terri Mueller
Young Adult Frances Miller The Truth Trap
1986 Primary Edward Marshall, illus. by James Marshall Space Case
Intermediate Barthe DeClements Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade
Middle School/Junior High Willo Davis Roberts Girl with the Silver Eyes
Young Adult Meredith Pierce The Darkangel
1987[d] Primary Audrey Wood, illus. by Don Wood The Napping House
Intermediate Betty Ren Wright The Dollhouse Murders
Middle School/Junior High Patricia Hermes You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye
Young Adult Michael French Pursuit
1988 Primary Laura Joffe Numeroff, illus. by Felicia Bond If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Intermediate Stephen Manes Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days
Middle School/Junior High Janet Lunn The Root Cellar
Young Adult William Sleator Interstellar Pig
1989 Primary Carol Carrick, illus. by Donald Carrick What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs?
Intermediate Elizabeth Winthrop The Castle in the Attic
Middle School/Junior High Joan Lowery Nixon The Stalker
Young Adult Eve Bunting The Face at the Edge of the World

1990s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 19901999[2]
Year Category Author Title
1990 Primary Margaret Leaf, illus. by Ed Young Eyes of the Dragon
Intermediate Robert Kimmel Smith The War with Grandpa
Middle School/Junior High Joan Lowery Nixon The Other Side of Dark
Young Adult Cynthia Voigt Izzy, Willy Nilly
1991 Primary Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn M. Munsinger Tacky the Penguin
Intermediate Dick King-Smith Harry's Mad
Middle School/Junior High Mary Downing Hahn December Stillness
Young Adult M.E. Kerr Night Kites
1992 Primary Denys Cazet Never Spit on Your Shoes
Intermediate Lois Lowry All About Sam
Middle School/Junior High Theodore Taylor Sniper
Young Adult Eve Bunting A Sudden Silence
1993 Primary Kevin Henkes Julius, the Baby of the World
Intermediate Judy Blume Fudge-a-Mania
Middle School/Junior High Avi Something Upstairs
Young Adult Annette Curtis Klause The Silver Kiss
1994 Primary Mary Calhoun, illus. by Erick Ingraham High-Wire Henry
Intermediate Willo Davis Roberts Scared Stiff
Middle School/Junior High Jerry Spinelli There's a Girl in My Hammerlock
Young Adult Robert Cormier We All Fall Down
1995 Primary Susan Meddaugh Martha Speaks
Intermediate Pam Conrad Stonewords
Middle School/Junior High Ben Mikaelsen Rescue Josh McGuire
Young Adult Will Hobbs Downriver
1996 Primary Janell Cannon Stellaluna
Intermediate Mary Downing Hahn Time for Andrew
Middle School/Junior High Rodman Philbrick Freak the Mighty
Young Adult Sherry Garland Shadow of the Dragon
1997 Primary Erica Silverman, illus. by S. D. Schindler Don't Fidget a Feather!
Intermediate Bruce Coville Jennifer Murdley's Toad
Middle School/Junior High Ben Mikaelsen Sparrow Hawk Red
Young Adult Chris Crutcher Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
1998 Primary Dav Pilkey Dog Breath
Intermediate Erika Tamar The Junkyard Dog
Middle School/Junior High Christopher Paul Curtis The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
Young Adult Chris Crutcher Ironman
1999 Primary Pamela Duncan Edwards, illus. by Henry Cole Livingstone Mouse
Intermediate Sid Fleischman, illus. by Peter Sis The 13th Floor
Middle School/Junior High Graham Salisbury Under the Blood Red Sun
Young Adult Kristen Randle The Only Alien on the Planet

2000s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 2000–2009[2]
Year Category Author Title
2000 Primary Paul Brett Johnson and Celeste Lewis, illus. by Johnson Lost
Intermediate Pam Muñoz Ryan Riding Freedom
Middle School/Junior High Gail Carson Levine Ella Enchanted
Young Adult A. M. Jenkins Breaking Bones
2001 Primary Rod Clement Grandpa's Teeth
Intermediate Dan Gutman Honus & Me
Middle School/Junior High Margaret Peterson Haddix Among the Hidden
Young Adult Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville Armageddon Summer
2002 Primary Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn M. Munsinger Hooway for Wodney Wat
Intermediate Dan Gutman The Million Dollar Shot
Middle School/Junior High Jack Gantos Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Picture Books for Older Readers Paul Fleischman Weslandia
Young Adult Jean Ferris Bad
2003 Primary Lauren Child I Will Never, Not Ever, Eat a Tomato
Intermediate Kate DiCamillo Because of Winn-Dixie
Middle School/Junior High Ben Mikaelsen Touching Spirit Bear
Picture Books for Older Readers David A. Adler The Babe and I
Young Adult Julie Anne Peters Define Normal
2004 Primary Sharon Creech, illus. by Harry Bliss A Fine, Fine School
Intermediate Andrew Clements The School Story
Middle School/Junior High Wendelin Van Draanen Flipped
Picture Books for Older Readers Janet Stevens And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon
Young Adult Lensey Namioka Ties that Bind, Ties that Break
2005 Primary Candace Fleming, illus. by G. Brian Karas Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
Intermediate Sharon Creech Ruby Holler
Middle School/Junior High Andrew Clements Things Not Seen
Picture Books for Older Readers Patricia Polacco Mr. Lincoln's Way
Young Adult Anthony Horowitz Stormbreaker
2006 Primary Michael Garland Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook
Intermediate Avi The Good Dog
Middle School/Junior High Sue Corbett 12 Again
Picture Books for Older Readers Candace Fleming, illus. by Stacey Dressen-McQueen Boxes for Katje
Young Adult Francine Prose After
2007 Primary Keiko Kasza My Lucky Day
Intermediate William Wise Christopher Mouse
Middle School/Junior High Gennifer Choldenko Al Capone Does My Shirts
Picture Books for Older Readers Karen Hesse, illus. by Wendy Watson The Cats in Krasinski Square
Young Adult Gail Giles Shattering Glass
2008 Primary Caralyn Buehner, illus. by Mark Buehner Superdog: The Heart of a Hero
Intermediate Deborah Wiles Each Little Bird That Sings
Middle School/Junior High Neal Shusterman The Schwa Was Here
Picture Books for Older Readers Frank Asch, illus. by Devin Asch Mr. Maxwell's Mouse
Young Adult Michael Morpurgo Private Peaceful
2009 Primary Linda Bailey, illus. by Bill Slavin Stanley's Wild Ride
Intermediate Valerie Hobbs Sheep
Middle School/Junior High Mike Lupica Heat
Picture Books for Older Readers Doug Cushman Mystery at the Club Sandwich
Young Adult Patricia McCormick Sold

2010s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 2010–2019[2]
Year Category Author Title
2010 Primary Alexander Steffensmeier Millie Waits for the Mail
Intermediate Andrew Clements No Talking
Middle School/Junior High Watt Key Alabama Moon
Picture Books for Older Readers Mona Kerby, illus. by Lynne Barasch Owney: The Mail-Pouch Pooch
Young Adult Sherman Alexie The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
2011 Primary Carmen Agra Deedy, illus. by Michael Austin Martina the Beautiful Cockroach
Intermediate Robert Paul Weston Zorgamazoo
Middle School/Junior High Cynthia Kadohata Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam
Picture Books for Older Readers Lane Smith John, Paul, George & Ben
Young Adult Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games
2012 Primary Amanda Noll, illus. by Howard McWilliam I Need My Monster
Intermediate Danette Haworth Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning
Middle School/Junior High Wendy Mass Every Soul a Star
Picture Books for Older Readers Ellen Levine, illus. by Kadir Nelson Henry's Freedom Box
Young Adult Kristin Cashore Graceling
2013 Primary Mo Willems We Are in a Book!
Intermediate Iain Lawrence The Giant Slayer
Middle School/Junior High Sharon Draper Out of My Mind
Picture Books for Older Readers Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery, illus. and photos from members of the Marines team Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle
Young Adult Ally Condie Matched
2014 Primary Herve Tullet Press Here
Intermediate Lisa McMann The Unwanteds
Middle School/Junior High Brian Selznick Wonderstruck
Picture Books for Older Readers Chris Van Allsburg Queen of the Falls
Young Adult Veronica Roth Divergent
2015 Primary Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Tom Lichtenheld Exclamation Mark
Intermediate R. J. Palacio Wonder
Middle School/Junior High Jennifer A. Nielsen The False Prince
Picture Books for Older Readers Audrey Vernick, illus. by Steven Salerno Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Team
Young Adult John Green The Fault in Our Stars
2016 Primary Drew Daywalt, illus. by Oliver Jeffers The Day the Crayons Quit
Intermediate Sarah Lean A Dog Called Homeless
Middle School/Junior High Elizabeth Partridge Dogtag Summer
Picture Books for Older Readers Doreen Rappaport, illus. by Matt Tavares Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Young Adult Marissa Meyer Cinder
2017 Primary Mac Barnett, illus. by Jon Klassen Sam & Dave Dig a Hole
Intermediate Chris Grabenstein Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Middle School/Junior High Shannon Messenger Keeper of the Lost Cities
Picture Books for Older Readers Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by E. B. Lewis Each Kindness
Young Adult Victoria Aveyard Red Queen
2018 Primary B. J. Novak The Book with No Pictures
Intermediate Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Jon Klassen Pax
Middle School/Junior High Jennifer A. Nielsen A Night Divided
Picture Books for Older Readers Marissa Moss, illus. by Yuko Shimizu Barbed Wire Baseball
Young Adult Ruta Sepetys Salt to the Sea
2019 Primary David Litchfield The Bear and the Piano
Intermediate Kimberly Brubaker Bradley The War That Saved My Life
Middle School/Junior High Pam Muñoz Ryan Echo
Picture Books for Older Readers Laurie Ann Thompson, illus. by Sean Qualls Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Young Adult Aisha Saeed Written in the Stars

2020s

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California Young Reader Medal winners, 2020–present[2]
Year Category Author Title
2020 Primary Drew Daywalt, illus. by Adam Rex The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors
Intermediate Kimberly Brubaker Bradley The War I Finally Won
Middle School/Junior High Alan Gratz Refugee
Picture Books for Older Readers Dave Eggers, illus. by Shawn Harris Her Right Foot
Young Adult Neal Shusterman Scythe
2021 Primary Tony Fucile Poor Louie
Intermediate Gordon Korman Restart
Middle School/Junior High Donna Gephart Lily and Dunkin
Picture Books for Older Readers Patricia McCormick, illus. by Iacopo Bruno Sergeant Reckless
Young Adult Wendy Mills All We Have Left
2022 Primary Minh Lê, illus. by Dan Santat Drawn Together
Intermediate Dan Gemeinhart The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Middle School/Junior High Kristin Levine The Jigsaw Jungle
Picture Books for Older Readers Susan Wood, illus. by Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen The Skydiving Beavers
Young Adult Ruta Sepetys The Fountains of Silence
2023 Primary Ryan T. Higgins We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Intermediate Jennifer L. Holm The Lion of Mars
Middle School/Junior High Ben Guterson Winterhouse
Picture Books for Older Readers Caron Levis, illus. by Charles Santoso This Way, Charlie
Young Adult Elizabeth Acevedo With the Fire on High

Notes

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  1. ^ The Middle School/Junior High Medal was added in 1980 and all four became annual in 1983. The fifth award category, Picture Books for Older Readers, was inaugurated in 2002. ("Nominees and Winners List" at google.docs)
  2. ^ US school children commonly turn six years old during kindergarten (K), nine years old in grade 3, and so on.
  3. ^ Presumably children may cast ballots at school and once for each public library or after-school program they join. ("Vote" at CYRM)
  4. ^ Beginning in 1987, the illustrators of Primary Award-winning books have officially received full recognition alongside the writers.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "(Home page)". California Young Reader Medal. May 1, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
     The home page covers the current cycle below a short introduction. As of May 18, 2015, for example, it presents the five 2015 medal winners and the 17 books that are on the 2016 ballots.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "California Young Reader Medal Nominees and Winners List". CYRM (at google.docs). Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  3. ^ "Nominees" Archived 2015-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. CYRM. Retrieved 2015-05-18. Linked front cover images 2010–2011 to present.
  4. ^ a b "California Young Reader Medal Recommendation Form"[permanent dead link]. CYRM. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  5. ^ "Vote" Archived 2015-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. CYRM. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  6. ^ "Winners". CYRM. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-08-12. Linked front cover images 2011 to present.