Process and Participation

Process

The Elementy Library Information Specialists from The Edmonds School District consider intermediate grade books published two years prior that include a diversity of characters, families, and life experiences, and that receive recognition from the American Library Association. This recognition includes the Newbery Medal/Honor, the Belpré Award/Honor, the King Award/Honor/New Talent, the Schneider Family Award, the Batchelder Award/Honor, the Stonewall Award/Honor, the Sibert Award/Honor, Asian/Pacific American Library Association Award/Honor, and/or being named an ALSC Notable. Picture books and YA books are eliminated.

From this short list, each of us read as many books as possible and share our individual opinions and comments. A group meets to review the submitted comments and discuss the relative merits of each book. In this way, we identifiy our top 8 choices nminees.

Paricipation

We welcome the participation of students outside of our district in determining the winner of this award. In order to vote, however, a student must read at least two of the eight books. Of course, the more they read, the better informed they are as a voter.

We have aligned our voting period with the Washington Library Association's Sasquatch Award voting. If students at your school will be participating, please email your contact information to carpenterc@edmonds.wednet.edu or wittmannt@edmonds.wednet.edu to  receive reminders and announcements about voting.