YRCA Frequently Asked ?'s

The Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award is the oldest children's choice award in the U.S. and Canada. The award was established in 1940 by a Seattle bookseller, the late Harry Hartman, who believed every student should have an opportunity to select a book that gives him or her pleasure.

The Young Reader's Choice Award Selection Policy was adopted by the Board of the Pacific Northwest Library Association in 2006.

NOMINATIONS

Nominations are taken only from children, teachers, parents and librarians in the Pacific Northwest ~ Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Nominations will not be accepted from publishers.

Nominations may include fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, animae and manga.

Children, teachers and librarians may recommend to their state or provincial representative titles for the next year's ballot. Nominations are due by February 1 each year. Titles that you wish to nominate should be sent directly to the YRCA Chair; they can be sent at any time but are due by February 1st. When nominating a title please include the following:
* Title
* Author
* Copyright Date
* Division where you feel the title is most appropriate
-- Junior Division: Grades 4-6
-- Middle Division: Grades 7-9
-- Senior Division: Grades 10-12

** Remember: Send nominations to Barbra Meisenheimer, the YRCA Chair. **

Nominated titles are those published 3 years prior to the award year (for example, for the 2009 list nominees must have a copyright date of 2006), printed in the U.S. or Canada, and are already favorites with readers.

All nominations will be reviewed and voted on by a committee assigned to a particular division (Junior/Middle/Senior) and consisting of at least four (4) people (two YRCA state/provincial representatives and at least two persons of their choosing).

JUDGING

Books will be judged on popularity with readers. Age appropriateness will be considered with choosing which of the three divisions a book is placed. Other considerations may include reading enjoyment; reading level; interest level; genre representation; gender representation; racial diversity; diversity of social, political, economic, or religions viewpoints; regional consideration; effectiveness of expression; and imagination.

The Pacific Northwest Library Association is committed to intellectual freedom and diversity of ideas. No title will be excluded because of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political or social view of either the author or the material.

VOTING

Only 4th to 12th graders residing in the Pacific Northwest are eligible to vote. Annual voting takes place March 15th through April 15th. Students must have read or listened to at least three of the nominated titles in order to vote. Balloting will be done electronically beginning in 2007.

TIMELINE

All nominations are due to the YRCA Chair by February 1. The final YRCA nomination list is determined by the YRCA Chair, with guidance from the three division committees. The YRCA Chair has final authority to use her/his judgment in selecting titles that appear on the ballot. Each division will be no more than eight (8) titles or fewer than six (6) titles. The final YRCA list will be posted by March 15.

When do we vote? - Between March 15 and April 15.

Where do we vote? - Generally, in a student's school library but a participating public library may also conduct balloting.

How do we vote? - A participating institution may design its own ballot or use the one provided here: 2008 Ballot (Word document - available soon).

Where should we send the ballots? - The voting on YRCA nominees will take place between March 15th and April 15th. Voting will done electronically beginning in 2007. The 2008 electronic ballot is currently closed.

When are the winners announced? - In mid-April.

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS

Individuals wishing to express their opinion or concerns about a title on the ballot may do so in writing to the YRCA Chair. The Chair will respond promptly either by email or post to the individual, making sure all members of the Board and YRCA State and Provincial Representatives receive a copy of the correspondence.

Who's my State or Provincial YRCA Representative?

Where can I find a list of past winners?

Where can I find a list of this year's nominees?

Where can I find Teacher's Resources for the nominees and winners?

More questions about YRCA? Contact YRCA Chair, Barbra Meisenheimer

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