The West Virginia Children’s Choice Book Award’s stated purpose is to “enrich the lives of children grades three through six by encouraging reading books of literary quality.” Established in 1981 by teachers Joyce Lang and Patty Benedum, this program was administered through the West Virginia Children’s Book Award Committee until 2007. It is now hosted by the West Virginia Library Commission in partnership with the West Virginia Center for the Book and is located in Charleston, West Virginia.
The West Virginia Children’s Choice Book Award Committee has collected the tally sheets statewide and the results are conclusive, The 2010-2011 first place winner is
Bird by Zetta Elliot, illustrated by Shadra
Strickland. Its publisher Lee and Low Books focuses on children’s books from diverse perspectives. Told through text and innovative illustration,
Bird, is the story of an artistic African American boy who expresses himself through drawing as he struggles to understand his older brother’s drug addiction and death.
The second largest vote getter was Wendy Mass’ quirky story of friends, family and tilted time,
11 Birthdays published by Scholastic Press. A beautiful picture book for all ages by prize winning author Lois Lowry, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline,
Crow Call was third. It is based on the author’s life in rural western Pennsylvania.
Crow Call is also published by Scholastic Press. In fourth place is a powerful historical novel,
Chains by acclaimed author for young adults, Laurie Halse Anderson. Published by Simon and Schuster,
Chains is a powerful story of a young slave named Isabel who is caught up in the conflict between Rebels and Tories in Revolutionary New York.
Children from grades three through six read books from the
2010-2011 West Virginia’s Children’s Choice Book Award Nominees list then voted for their favorite book. The award is based solely on the children’s votes and thereby allows young readers to have a voice about the types of books they enjoy and would read more often. To read more about the winners...
The West Virginia Children’s Book Award Committee invites children grades three through six to read books from the the
2011–2012 WVCCBA Nominees list, then to vote for their favorite. In August, West Virginia teachers will begin receiving official ballots and tally sheets to submit on behalf of students, however, any child studying at these grade levels in the fall is eligible to vote. Teachers and parents are encouraged to
download materials, including ballots, bookmarks and a tally sheet from this website. See
previous winners by school year or view
criteria for the West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award.
One Book, One West Virginia | Letters About Literature | W.Va. Children's Choice Awards | In Their Own Country