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: 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

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 Martin 2007 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 by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999 Poppy by Avi 1998 The Worst Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

2009 Children’s : Roberte Clemente : Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter Young Adult : So B. It by Sarah Weeks

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.

The Children’s List for 2009/2010

The Young Adult List for 2009/2010

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!!!