Book Awards

The Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults. Initially, the award was established in 1969 to recognize authors and then was expanded to include a separate award for illustrators in These awards are given to commemorate the life and work of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King( )for her continuing efforts in working for peace and civil rights issues.

Criteria: 1. Must portray some aspect of the black experience, past, present, or future. 2. Must be written/illustrated by an African American 3. Must be published in the U.S. in the year preceding presentation of the Award. 4. Must be an original work 5. Must meet established standards of quality writing for youth which include: -Clear plot -Well drawn characters, which portray growth and development during the course of the story. -Writing style which is consistent with and suitable to the age intended accuracy 6. Must be written for a youth audience in one of three categories: -Preschool-grade 4 -Grades 5-8 -Grades 9-12 Particular attention will be paid to titles which seek to motivate readers to develop their own attitudes and behaviors as well as comprehend their personal duty and responsibility as citizens in a pluralistic society. Illustrations should reflect established qualitative standards.

Charlie May Simon The first prominent children’s book author from Arkansas. Wrote almost 30 books in her lifetime. Married to another writer. The two lived in a home overlooking the Arkansas River in Little Rock. An award was created in her name in 1971 and is given to an outstanding book chosen by Arkansas students in grades 4-6.

The Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award for children's literature has been presented annually since 1971 to an author whose book has been selected through a vote taken by Arkansas school children in grades four, five and six. The purpose of the award is to promote better reading for children and to recognize Mrs. John Gould Fletcher, an outstanding Arkansas author who wrote under the pen name Charlie May Simon. Charlie May Simon was born August 17, 1897, at Monticello, Arkansas, but moved to Memphis at an early age. She attended Memphis State University, Stanford University and the Chicago Art Institute. She returned to Arkansas after she married John Gould Fletcher in Throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Fletcher traveled extensively, gathering information for her many prize winning biographies. She lived at Johnswood, her home in Little Rock, until her death in 1977.

An award that is given to a author that has wrote the most distinguished children’s book of the year.

Book Selection The Children’s School Librarian’s Sections of the American Library Association decides who wins the Newbery Award.

John Newbery John Newbery was an English publisher and bookseller. He established juvenile literature as an important branch of the publishing business. Although he published his books anonymously, it is assumed that he planned and wrote a number of them himself. In 1921 the Newbery medal was established by Frederic Melcher to be awarded by the American Library Association to the most distinguished children's book of the year written by an American.

Criteria The book must be published in English in the United States the previous year. The author must be a citizen or resident of the United States. The book must relate to a child audience. The book must contribute to literature. The book must stand alone and not as a part of a multimedia presentation

The Caldecott Medal The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth- century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. This has been awarded annually by the American Library Association since 1938 "to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children." There is one medal winner and usually a number of honor books.

Frederic G. Melcher suggested in 1937 the establishment of a second annual medal to the Newbery Medal. This medal is to be given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year and named in honor of the nineteenth- century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott ( ). Terms 1.Medal shall be awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year. 2.There are no limitations as to the character of the picture book except that the illustrations be original work. 3. The award is restricted to artists who are citizens or residents of the United States. Books published in a U.S. territory or U.S. commonwealth are eligible.

Michael L. Printz Award

Eligibility 1. The award-winning book may be fiction, nonfiction, poetry or an anthology. 2. As many as four honor titles may be selected. 3. Books must have been published between January 1 and December 31 of the year preceding announcement of the award. 4. To be eligible, a title must have been designated by its publisher as being either a young adult book or one published for the age range that YALSA defines as "young adult," Adult books are not eligible. 5. Works of joint authorship or editorship are eligible. 6. Books previously published in another country are eligible (presuming an American edition has been published during the period of eligibility). 7. If no title is deemed sufficiently meritorious, no award will be given that year.

Printz was a school librarian at Topeka West (KS) High School for many years and retired from teaching in He was active in YALSA and served on the Best Books for Young Adults Committee and the Margaret A. Edwards Award Committee. He had a passion for books and reading. Finding the right book for the right student at the right time was not just a slogan to Mike-he lived it.

Arkansas Diamond Award

The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award was established in 1998 to encourage reading for students in Grades K-3. The award was established to encourage reading for students in grades K-3. The award is selected by an annual vote. Children in Grades K-3 must have read at least three of the titles from the annual reading list and select one title. Voting is done each year in April.

Arkansas Teen Book Awards The purpose in establishing this award is to encourage young adults across Arkansas to read. The award will recognize books in two divisions: Level 1, 7th-9th grade and Level 2, 10th-12th grade. The books chosen for the final teen reading lists were read and voted on by teachers and librarians across Arkansas.

1. Unless the book can stand on its own, it must be the first in a series. 2. Copyright date goes by the hardback edition unless it was originally published as paperback. 3. Translations going by the US copyright date. Guidelines