Begun in 1981 as a joint effort with the New Mexico International Reading Association and the New Mexico Library Association in conjunction with the New Mexico State Library as New Mexico’s Children’s Choice Award. Until the year 2000, there was only one list to read from and only one winner chosen. In 2000, it was decided to have 2 lists – one for Children and one for Young Adults to allow students to make better choices.

Some of the past winners are:

2010 Children’s: United Tweets of America by Hudson Talbott

Young Adult: Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

2009 Children’s : Roberte Clemente : Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter

Young Adult : So B. It by Sarah Weeks

2008 Children’s : Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald

Young Adult : A Dog’s Life : Autobiography of a Stray by Ann Martin2007      Children's: George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra & Madeleine Comora

      Young Adult: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

2006       Children's: Togo by Robert J. Blake        Young Adult: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

2005       Children's: El Cucuy! as told by Joe Hayes        Young Adult: Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

2004       Children's:  Pee Wee's Tale by Johanna Hurwitz        Young Adult: Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

2003       Children's:  Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo        Young Adult:   Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

2002       Children's:   Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter by Diane Stanley        Young Adult:   Ghost Canoe by Will Hobbs

2001       Children's:  A Spoon for Every Bite by Joe Hayes       Young Adult:   Holes by Louis Sachar

2000        Children's:  Library Lil by Suzanne Williams      Young Adult: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher  Paul Curtis

1999       Poppy by Avi

1998       The Worst Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

1997       TheGiver by Lois Lowry

1996       Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka

1995      Terror at the Zoo by Peg Kehret

1994      Shiloh by Rhyllis Reynolds Naylor

1993      Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

1992      Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

1991      Pecos Bill: a Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg

1990      There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar

1989      Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You by Barthe DeClements

1988      The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright

1987      Zucchini by Barbara Dana

1986      Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie Gilson

1985      Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade by Barthe DeClements

1984      Superfudge by Judy Blume

1983      Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan

1982      Bunnicula: a Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe

1981      Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary

The authors chosen by the students of New Mexico receive an engraved Nambé tray listing the book title and year of the win.

Because this is something unique to New Mexico, authors are very pleased to get this award. It is usually presented by a student to the author at a conference of the NMIRA or the NMLA.

Starting in the Fall of 2010 we’ll have a new category:

Picturebook Narrative

•Illustrated text less than 50 pages long.

•Pictures are significant to the story.

•Reading Level of 3.0 or higher.

•Author and illustrator living in the U.S.

The Picture Book List for 2011-2012

Read 3 and vote in April 2012!

The Children’s List for 2011-2012

Read 3 and vote in April 2012!

The Young Adult List for 2011-12

Read 3 and vote in April 2012!

Criteria – You must read at least 3 books from one list (We prefer you read more) to be eligible to vote in April. If you wish to vote on both lists, you must read at least 3 books from each list. Don’t read 2 from one list and 1 from another and expect to be able to vote.

[Ask your teacher or librarian if there is a REWARD FOR VOTING]

Where can you find these books in this library?

How are they marked to show that they are on this year’s reading lists?

Are there any questions?

Let’s get reading!!!