Feature
January
05
Young Readers to Name Favorite Book
by Terry Trahan Jr.
Young readers in Louisiana have just under a month to finalize their 2012 top book selection, which will be the recipient of the Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award.
The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana began the program in 1999; the first award for the literary honor was given in 2000. The library sought to increase interest in reading among children by providing them with a list of engaging, outstanding books they could read and vote on.
“It allows them to participate by voting for what they think is their favorite book,” said Mary Cosper LeBoeuf, director of the Terrebonne Parish Library System. “They have a list and a year to read the books.”
The Terrebonne Parish Library has been participating in the program since its inception. This year, students in grades 3-5 can choose from a list of 15 books that have been nominated for their superiority by librarians across the state. Students in grades 6-8 have a dozen books that they can vote on.
Young readers are eligible to vote if they have read at least three titles on their respective list, live in Louisiana and are in the appropriate grade levels. They can cast their ballots at the library or at participating schools. Readers may vote only once, and all votes must be submitted by Feb. 1. Winners will be announced in the spring.
In 2000, young readers across the state cast 5,485 votes for their favorite book, which can be a work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. That number climbed to over 29,000 votes by 2009. While the public library promotes the program with a display that contains all of the nominees for the categories, local schools have also played an active role in getting the high-quality books to their students.
“It’s the schools that really have great involvement,” said Amy Whipple, assistant director of the Terrebonne Parish Library System. “They do a great job of promoting these books.”
To maintain the effort, the Terrebonne Parish Library partnered with Honduras Elementary School and Village East Elementary School to write grants that have brought all of the titles on the list for grades 3-5 to the students at the schools.
“It’s more fun if it’s done as a class,” Whipple said.
The State Library of Louisiana has also extended the program this year to include the Louisiana Teen Readers’ Choice Award. Like the award that young readers vote on, teen readers can select their favorite among 10 titles. They are required to read or listen to two books from the list, and votes must be submitted online at www.state.lib.la.us/ltrc2012 by Feb. 1.
The top vote-getter from each category will be recognized at the Louisiana Book Festival, and the authors of the winning books will receive plaques. The books will also receive a sticker that acknowledges the award.
And that recognition helps to place quality literature in the hands of developing young minds.
“We keep current,” Whipple said about the public library’s selection. “Our budget allows us to have some of the best books, especially for younger readers.”
