Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

  • The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades 4 through 8 in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults.
     
    Participating in this award program is a great opportunity for students to voice their opinion about which books they truly enjoy.  Jefferson has many voters each year, and we track popularity of titles and participation through graphs displayed in our Learning Commons.  All students are encouraged to participate, and it's easy.  Here's how: 
    1. Pick up a contract in the Learning Commons (or download a form on the right).
    2. Read at least three titles.
    3. Log what you read on the contract AND keep track of that piece of paper!
    4. Respond to each book by conferencing with your LA teacher and having him/her sign your contract OR submit a review on Atriuum.
     
    The deadline for completing the above is February 22nd. Online voting will be opened to qualified voters the last week in February.  Special recognition is given to students who read all twenty nominees during the voting cycle, provided they meet the response requirements and submit at least three Atriuum reviews. See Mrs. Sherry with any questions.
     

Mock Newbery

  • The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. Since its inception in 1922, the award is presented annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Matt de la Pena, Kwame Alexander and Kate DiCamillo are the most recent authors to receive this honor, and Hatchet, Holes, and A Wrinkle in Time are some classic Newbery winners. To access all titles, look for the Newbery Winners on the List tab in Atriuum.

     
    Although students have no voice in the actual award process, Anderson's Bookshops offers a program for them to weigh in on their favorite titles of any given year.  Each September, their staffers put together a list of 25 of their favorite titles released for the year, and students who read at least three of them are eligible to vote in what's known as the Mock Newbery Program.  Jefferson always participates, and it's a great chance for all readers to get exposed to the best books of the year.
     
    To participate:
     
    1. Pick up a contract in the Learning Commons.
    2. Read at least three titles.
    3. Log what you read on the contract AND keep track of that piece of paper!
    4. Respond to each book by conferencing with an adult and having him/her sign your contract OR submit a review on Atriuum.
    The deadline for completing the above is the end of January.  Voting will be online, and the winners announced prior to the official award given at the Midwinter ALA Conference.  See Mrs. Sherry with any questions.

Mock Sibert

  • The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. Information books are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable, factual material for children. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. ALSC has been administering this award since its inception in 2001.
     
    Just like they do for fiction, Anderson's puts for a list of 25 nonfiction titles each year that they believe are likely candidates for this award.  Students who read/respond to three or more titles are encouraged to participate in the Mock Sibert Award Challenge.  The process is the same, and deadline is the end of January. Copies of the list and contracts are available in the Commons.

Helpful Links

Participation Forms