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Louisiana Readers' Choice

The Louisiana Young Readers' Choice program 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 over 29,000 students participating in 2009. The purpose of the program is to foster a love of reading in the children of Louisiana by motivating them to participate in the recognition of outstanding books. The lists are well-balanced selections of high-quality fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Now entering its 24th year, the program continues to encourage Louisiana’s youth to read for pleasure. The Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award is a reading enrichment program of the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library with additional support from the following sponsors:

2021-2022 LOUISIANA READERS' CHOICE WINNERS

Link to Press Release

3-5th Grade

Winner: The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) written by Natascha Biebow, illustrated by Steven Salerno

Honor: Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team (HarperCollins Children's Books) written by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

6-8th Grade

Winner: New Kid (Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins) written and illustrated by Jerry Craft

Honor: Maybe He Just Likes You (Aladdin, Simon & Schuster) written by Barbara Dee

9-12th Grade

Winner: Two Can Keep a Secret (Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House) written by Karen M. McManus

Honor: With the Fire on High (Quill Tree Books, HarperCollins) written by Elizabeth Acevedo

2023-2024 LOUISIANA READERS' CHOICE NOMINATED TITLES

Link to Press Release

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Promotional materials, including posters, brochures, bookmarks, and seals for award books, are available free of charge while supplies last. Promotional materials may be ordered by downloading and filling out the LYRC Order Form or the LTRC Order Form and e-mailing the form to Megan Thomas, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or faxing to 225-342-3547. (As of September 27, 2022, materials are still available and are still being mailed.)

Any student who reads every title on their Louisiana Readers’ Choice Nominated list can receive a certificate of achievement signed by the State Librarian.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Youth Services Consultant, Megan Thomas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 225-342-9716.

LOGO Click here for reproducible images of the LYRC SEAL black and white or color and the LTRC SEAL black and white only. You are welcome to use these logos to promote the LYRC program at your library or school.

Pelican 1 (Black and White, Full Color)
Pelican 2 (Black and White, Full Color)

2020-2021 LTRC 9-12th Additional Resources

Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2020-2021 9-12th grade nominated titles.

Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection of resources for the LYRC 6-8th grade nominated titles through this link, https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlvxije.

Teaching Books Overview video, https://www.teachingbooks.net/support.cgi?f=support_quickstart#t_introvideo

Book Taco is a free online resource designed to support the administration, assessment, and motivation of student participation in the LYRC program while providing educators a dynamic, interactive platform where they can monitor student reading progress (quiz results, book reviews, surveys), assign activities, and reward effort. Click the logo to access the site and create your free account, https://booktaco.com.

Book Taco Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/b8zvqhoWm7I

Resources are still being added, so please check back soon for more!

1. Belles, The by Dhonielle Clayton

The Book Series Website, The Belles’ World, http://www.dhonielleclayton.com/the-belles/

2. Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air: Book 1), Theby Holly Black

Discussion Guide: https://blackholly.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Cruel-Prince-Downloadable-Book-Club-Guide.pdf

3. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Discussion Guides: from Simon and Schuster, https://www.simonandschuster.net/books/Dry/Neal-Shusterman/9781481481960#reading-group-guide; http://classroom.walkerbooks.com.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Dry-Classroom-Ideas.pdf

Official Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTSCB5V0ME

4. Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Official Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T5VGE4JwCg

5. Lying Woods, Theby Ashley Elston

6. Poet X, The by Elizabeth Acevedo

Teaching Guide: https://b0f646cfbd7462424f7a-f9758a43fb7c33cc8adda0fd36101899.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/teaching-guides/TG-9780062662804.pdf

Facts About Elizabeth Acevedo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdd9b3pfA-o

7. Price of Duty by Todd Strasser

8. Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Discussion Guide: https://b0f646cfbd7462424f7a-f9758a43fb7c33cc8adda0fd36101899.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/reading-guides/RG-9780062564047.pdf

9. Sadie by Courtney Summer

Discussion Questions: https://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/discusion-guides/9781250105714DG.pdf

10. Summer of Jordi Perez, The (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles)by Amy Spalding

2020-2021 LYRC 6-8 Additional Resources

Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2020-2021 6-8th grade nominated titles.

Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection of resources for the LYRC 6-8th grade nominated titles through this link, https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlvxije.

Teaching Books Overview video, https://www.teachingbooks.net/support.cgi?f=support_quickstart#t_introvideo

Book Taco Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/b8zvqhoWm7I

Resources are still being added, so please check back soon for more!

1. Benefits of Being an Octopus, The by Ann Braden

Study Guides: http://www.curiouscitydpw.com/download/17316/

2. Boy Bites Bug by Rebecca Petruck

3. City of Ghostsby Victoria Schwab

Official Book Trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfXoDfqBV9Y

4. Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald

Study Guides: From Vermont, https://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/DCFBookReviewsQuestions19-20.pdf#page=28
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFDK8PCh0wc

5. Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngblood

Study Guides: https://books.disney.com/content/uploads/2019/04/Love-Like-Sky-DG_vFINAL.pdf

6. Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

Study Guides: Pages 4 and 5, http://images.randomhouse.com/teachers_guides/9780451479723.pdf#page=4

7. Night Diary, The by Veera Hiranandani

Study Guides: Penguin Publisher’s Guide, http://images.randomhouse.com/teachers_guides/9780735228511.pdf
- Discussion Questions and Activities from Brightly, https://www.readbrightly.com/brightlys-book-club-for-kids-the-night-diary/

8.Serpent's Secret, The (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1) by Sayantani DasGupta

Book Trailers: Two Videos here, http://www.sayantanidasgupta.com/writer/books/the-serpents-secret/
- Official Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJDRgjgRBG8

9. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

10. So Done by Paula Chase

11. Storm Runner, The (A Storm Runner Novel, Book 1)by J.C. Cervantes

Study Guides: https://books.disney.com/content/uploads/2018/09/Storm-Runner-FULL-DG-_final.pdf

12. Tight by Torrey Maldonado

2020-2021 LYRC 3-5 Additional Resources

Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2020-2021 3-5th grade nominated titles.

Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection of resources for the LYRC 3-5th grade nominated titles through this link, https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlgxiyx. Teaching books provides access to author interviews, discussion guides, and much more.

Teaching Books Overview, https://www.teachingbooks.net/support.cgi?f=support_quickstart#t_introvideo.

Book Taco Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/b8zvqhoWm7I

Resources are still being added, so please check back soon for more!

1. All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy

• Author website: https://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/homepage.htm

• Publisher Guide includes this book on pages 30-36, https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/3874896/9781481477529_cg_all%20that%20trash.pdf

2. Art of the Swap, The by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone

• Author website: Kristine Asselin, https://www.kristineasselin.com/ AND Jen Malone, https://www.jenmalonewrites.com/

• Publisher Classroom Discussion Guide, https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/3826424/9781481478717_cg_the%20art%20of%20the%20swap.pdf

3. Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Bryan Collier

• Author website: https://sandraneilwallace.com

• Discussion points from The Classroom Bookshelf,

http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/03/between-the-lines-how-ernie-barnes-went-from-the-football-field-to-the-art-gallery/

• Book Trailer by Illustrator Bryan Collier , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBxKPZwj2s4

4. Boo-Boos That Changed the World, The: A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!)

by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu

• Study Guides

o Activity Guide, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0750/0101/files/boo-boos-discussion-activity-guide.pdf?204

o Discussion Guide, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0750/0101/files/BOO-BOOS-curriculum-guide.pdf?204

o Resources from the TX BlueBonnet Award, https://texasbluebonnetaward2020.wordpress.com/the-boo-boos-that-changed-the-world-a-true-story-about-an-accidental-invention-really/

• Book Trailer

o TX Bluebonnet made trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToTPxlGZXVg

5. Charlie and Frog (Book #1) by Karen Kane

• Author website: http://www.karenkanebooks.com/

6. Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker's Story by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes

• Author website: https://www.josephbruchac.com/

• Publisher Discussion Study Guide: https://www.albertwhitman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Chester-Nez-Teachers-Guide.pdf

7. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Tiemdow Phumiruk

• Author website: http://www.helainebecker.com/

• Publisher Discussion Guide pages 11-12: https://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/RCeduguide19-20.pdf#page=13

• Discussion points from The Classroom Bookshelf, http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/09/nothing-stopped-sophie-and-counting-on-katherine/

• Official Book Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNSXwJSk-4A

8. Dear Sister by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Joe Bluhm

• Author website: https://alisonmcghee.com/

9. Fly to the Rescue (Tiny Geniuses: Book 1) by Megan E. Bryant

• Author website: https://meganebryant.com/

10. Hammering for Freedom by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by John Holyfield

• Author website: https://ritahubbard.com/

• Publisher Teacher’s Guide: https://www.leeandlow.com/uploads/loaded_document/683/HAMMERINGFORFREEDOM_TeachersGuide.pdf

11. Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment (Book #1) by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, illustrated by Beverly Johnson

• Author website: https://kids.jamespatterson.com/

• Book Website: https://www.jamespatterson.com/titles/james-patterson/max-einstein-the-genius-experiment/9780316523950/

• Publisher Classroom Guide: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Max-Einstein-Classroom-Guide.pdf

• Book Trailer Dominoes https://youtu.be/V4_iT_QIn2o

12. Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, The by Stacy McAnulty

• Author website: http://www.stacymcanulty.com/novels

• Publisher Educator Guide: https://images.randomhouse.com/promo_image/9781524767570_5289.pdf

• Publisher Building Empany Guide with Books discussion questions and activities on page 8, https://images.randomhouse.com/promo_image/9781524720087_5252.pdf#page=8

• Teaching Ideas from Texas Bluebonnet Award, https://texasbluebonnetaward2020.wordpress.com/the-miscalculations-of-lightning-girl/

• Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKBIaL9norM

13. Phantom Tower, The by Keir Graff

• Author website: http://keirgraff.com/books-for-kids/the-phantom-tower/

14. Saving Fiona: The Story of the World's Most Famous Baby Hippo by Thane Maynard

• Author website: http://cincinnatizoo.org/about-us/thane-maynard/

• Book Trailer (So Cute!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6x5y5AntiY

15. Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann

• Author website: https://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_strongheart.html

LYRC & LTRC 2020-2021 Program

To be read by students during the 2020-2021 school year and voted on by March 1, 2021.

3-5th Grade

Brochure for 3-5th Nominated List

3-5th Grade Annotated Title List: Word Doc, PDF

3-5th Grade Title List

3-5th Grade Consideration List

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

3-5th Ballot of Titles

3-5th Google Slides Presentations with and without Book Trailers and Book Talks

3-5th PowerPoint Presentation No Book Trailers

6-8th Grade

Brochure for 6-8th Nominated List

6-8th Grade Annotated Title List: Word Doc, PDF

6-8th Grade Title List

6-8th Consideration List

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

6-8th Ballot of Titles

6-8th Google Slides Presentations with and without Book Trailers and Book Talks

6-8th PowerPoint Presentation, No Book Trailers

Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Program (LTRC)

9-12th Grade

9-12th Grade Annotated Title List: Word Doc, PDF

9-12th Grade Title List

9-12th Grade Consideration List

9-12th Brochure 2020-2021

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

9-12th Ballot of Titles

9-12th Google Slides Presentations with and without Book Trailers and Book Talks

9-12th Grade PowerPoint Presentation, No Book Trailers

2019-2020 LTRC Additional Resources

Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2019-2020 9-12th grade nominated titles, including two sites that teachers and librarians can use to promote student participation:

Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection for the 9-12th grade LYRC nominated resources at https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlmp22v