It’s been so hard for me to keep this information secret, but they finally released the titles of next year’s Mark Twain Award nominees and Show Me Readers Award nominees! This is my third year on the Mark Twain Award committee, and I have enjoyed reading the hundreds of books that have been sent to the committee for consideration for the award. It’s a tough job, but I can at least say that I’m very familiar with current books for our kids. Ok, enough chit chat – here’s what you’ve been waiting for:

2012-2013 Mark Twain Award Nominees:

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
The Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby
Drizzle by Kathleen Van Cleve
The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein
Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret
Half Upon a Time by James Riley
Hide & Seek by Katy Grant
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Twenty Gold Falcons by Amy Gordon

2012-2013 Show Me Nominees:

Fly Free by Roseanne Thong
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Librarian on the Roof!: A True Story by M.G. King
Lucky Beans by Becky Birtha
Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian
Pierre the Penguin: A True Story by Jean Marzollo
Stand Straight, Ella Kate by Kate Klise
Sylvia Jean, Scout Supreme by Lisa Campbell Ernst
The Blue House Dog by Deborah Blumenthal
The Can Man by Laura Williams

You might start looking in your book orders and at the spring book fair for these titles! I will host my annual Mark Twain Book Club this summer if you want the challenge of reading all 12 books before the start of the school year. It’s always a great time.

Enjoy!

The 2010-2011 Show Me Readers Award nominees have been announced. This award is given for the best picture book as voted by kids in the state of Missouri. Be sure to start looking for these books on your book orders to prepare for next year. Here’s the list!

2010-2011 Show Me Award Nominees

Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Titanicat by Marty Crisp
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers
Owney the Mail Pouch Pooch by Mona Kerby
Two Bobbies, A True Story by Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery
Willow by Denise Brennan Nelson
Mr. Muddle’s Holidays by Laura Mielsen
For the Love of Autumn by Patricia Polacco
Lucky Star by Judy Young

Since we have the new Mark Twain Award nominees, we might as well take a look at next year’s Show Me Reader Award nominees as well. Remember, this award is given to a picture book, and is geared toward kids in grades 1-3. I usually read all ten nominees to the kids throughout the year during library class so they all get a chance to be voters. Here is next year’s list:

Melissa Parkington’s Beautiful, Beautiful Hair by Pat Brisson
Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg
One Potato, Two Potato by Cynthia DeFelice
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind  by Judy Finchler
Can I Bring My Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson? by Lois G. Grambling
Lilly’s Big Day by Keven Henkes
Gold Miner’s Daughter: A Melodramatic Fairy Tale by Jackie Mims Hopkins
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Jake’s 100th Day of School by Lester Laminack
Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli