Louisiana Young Readers' Awards Program

Louisiana Readers' Choice was founded in 1999 with the first award given in 2000. Participation in this program has climbed from 5,485 votes the first year to 29,000 students in 2009. The purpose of the program is to foster a love of reading in Louisiana students by motivating them to participate in the recognition of outstanding books. Now entering its 16th year, the program continues to encourage Louisiana youths to read for pleasure. The Louisiana Readers’ Choice program is an important element of one of the core missions of the State Library of Louisiana—to foster a love of reading in Louisianians.

For the 2015 awards, 23,000 children and teens read more than 67,000 books and cast votes for their favorite books. The 2015 award winners were:

3rd – 5th Grade

Winner: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Honor: Bully by Patricia Polacco

6th – 8th Grade

Winner: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Honor: Buddy by M.H. Herlong

Teen Readers’ Choice

Winner: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Honor: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Click here to see a list of qualifying books for the 2016 Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards.