Since its inception in 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal. You can find out more about this program at californiayoungreadermedal.org

It has become a tradition of mine to read through the five nominated Primary level picture books with the entire student body of the schools I work at.  Some of my best critics and thoughtful responses come from students in the fifth and sixth grade who haven’t picked up a picture book in years. 

It generally takes me two months to read the five selections to all the classes and then we conduct a school wide election.  What makes this medal so prestigious is that the selections have been nominated and voted by the students in California.  This is one of the few awards where the publishers, librarians, psychologists and teachers take a back seat and after a few consecutive years running this program I have to give it to the kids-they pick a winner every year!

Here are the 2009 results :  

 Primary     Stanley’s Wild Ride
by Linda Bailey. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. 
Kids Can Press, 2006

This is a story I can personally relate to about a dog who just can’t be contained in their yard.  The illustration fill the page and will have your child pausing before they turn the page to catch all the vivid details.  The moral of the story at the end though is what makes this story so clever and has all ages cracking a smile.  Interesting note: Last years primary winning book was also about a dog-do I see a trend here? 

 Intermediate      Sheep
by Valerie Hobbs. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006Told in a first-person (canine) voice, this is the story of a border collie who loses his purpose and place on a ranch after a devestating fire.  The story follows the dog through the various homes and masters he encounters and different names he is given. Some full of love and others cruel and unkind. The book is heart-warming and manageable at 115 pages.  Recommended for any animal lover and relunctant readers. 

Middle School/Junior High      Heat
by Mike Lupica Philomel Books, Penguin, 2006

Mike Lupica takes his experience as a sports reporter and gives us a gripping novel ripped from the headlines.  This is a story of a 12 year old Cuban immigrant whose team has a chance at the Little League World Series when accusation regarding his age jeopardize the whole team.  The twist in the story is that the accusation bring the possability of a real life scandal to the surface that could cost him much more than a baseball dream.

Young Adult      Sold
by Patricia McCormick.  Hyperion, 2006.

This is the story of a 13 year old girl sold into the sex trade by her parents to pay their debts.  It is detailed and honest and heartbreaking.  The book is written in free verse, a style becoming more popular with YA genre and should be considered for older readers.

Picture Books for Older Readers      Mystery at the Club Sandwich
by Doug Cushman.  Illustrated by Doug Cushman. 
Clarion Books, 2005.

Written and illistrated in the style of noir detective stories. Early on children can solve ”who done it” but will enjoy the story to the end because of the clever word play.