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Louisiana Readers' Choice
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award

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)

2019-2020 LYRC 6-8 Additional Resources

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Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2019-2020 6-8th grade nominated titles, including two sites that teachers and librarians can use to promote student participation: 
 
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.
 
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Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection for the 6-8th grade LYRC nominated resources at https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlwgr4v.  
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1. All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jameson 
• Study Guides
o Educator Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
2. Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
• Author website: http://www.laurenwolk.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Educator Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
3. Brave by Svetlana Chmakova
• Author website: http://svetlania.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Educator Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student 
 
4. Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia, illustrated by Frank Morrison
• Illustrator website: https://morrisongraphics.com/ 
• Study Guides
 
5. Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
• Author website: https://ellieterry.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
6. Frogkisser! by Garth Nix
• Author website: http://www.garthnix.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
7. Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt
• Author website: http://www.jburtbooks.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
8. In the Shadow of the Sun by Anne Sibley O'Brien
• Study Guides
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
9. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
• Author website: https://www.dustibowling.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Discussion Questions from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13860 
 
10. Refugee by Alan Gratz
• Author website: https://www.alangratz.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Activity Guide from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019: https://texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com/refugee/
o Discussion Questions from For the Love of Books: https://nancymcginleymyers.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/discussion-questions-refugee/ 
 
11. Slider by Pete Hautman
• Author website: http://www.petehautman.com/ 
• Study Guides
o Discussion Guide from Candlewick Press: http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763690708.bdg.1.pdf 
o Activity Guide from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019: https://texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com/slider/ 
 
12. The Red Bandanna (Young Readers Adaptation) by Tom Rinaldi
• Video, Tom Rinaldi on discovering the story of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnnI6JdBUo&feature=youtu.be 
• Study Guides
 
 
 
 
 

2019-2020 LYRC 3-5 Additional Resources

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Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2019-2020 3-5th grade nominated titles, including two sites that teachers and librarians can use to promote student participation: 

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.

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Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection for the 3-5 grade LYRC nominated resources at https://www.teachingbooks.net/qlsfswm. 

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1. Army Brats by Daphne Benedis-Grab
o Author website: http://daphnebg.com/
o Educator Guide Forthcoming
 
2. Balderdash: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
o Illustrator website: http://www.nancycarpenter.website/
o Animated presentation of color layers from illustrator: https://vimeo.com/209109455
 
3. A Boy Called Bat (#1) by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Author website: http://elanakarnold.com/
o Illustrator website: http://www.charlessantoso.com/wp/
o Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJAevNdF9rI
 
4. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
o Author website: https://derrickdbarnes.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.gordoncjames.com/
o Study Guides:
 
5. Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
o Author/Illustrator website: http://www.bethanybarton.com/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
6. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
o Illustrator website: http://katycwwu.tumblr.com/
o Study Guides:
2. Discussion questions from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13476
 
7. Imagine That!: How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
o Author website: https://www.judysierra.net/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kevinhawkes.com/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
8. Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Keith Knight
o Author website: http://www.adammansbach.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kchronicles.com/bio.html
o Interview with author/actor Craig Robinson and “Jake”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urodLJ9LOq4
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
9. Lemons by Melissa Savage. This title was first released under the name Bigfoot, Tobin & Me in 2017 in the UK. There may be some additional resources for this title under its UK name.  
o Author website: https://melissadsavage.com/
o Publisher Study Guide: Please note the guide in the UK version of title of the book.
 
10. Malala – Activist for Girl’s Education by Raphaelle Frier, illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
o Author website: N/A
o Illustrator website: http://www.aureliafronty.com/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
11. Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson
o Study Guides: Curriculum guide from author’s personal website: http://www.terrylynnjohnson.com/pdfs/sled-dog-school-curriculum-guide.pdf
Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
12. The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress
o Study Guides:
1. Teaching ideas from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13561
 
13. The Princess and the Peas by Rachel Himes
o Author website: http://www.rachelhimes.com/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
 
14. Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Barbara Fisinger
o Study Guides:
1. Activity Guide from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019: https://texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com/wedgie-and-gizmo/
 
15. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Study Guides & resources:
4. Teaching Ideas from Classroom Bookshelf: http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/01/wishtree/
5. Discussion Guide from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/brochure-site.pdf
7. Pledge to Welcome All Poster from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-poster-site.pdf
 

LYRC & LTRC 2019-2020 Program

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To be read by students in 2019-2020 school year and voted on by March 1, 2020.

3-5th Grade 

Brochure for 3-5th Nominated List

3-5th Grade Title List

3-5th Grade Annotated Title List

3-5th Grade 2019-2020 Consideration List

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources 

3-5th Grade Ballot of Titles 

3-5th Grade Google Slides Presentation with Book Trailers and Book Talks in Notes Section

3-5th PowerPoint Presentation No Book Trailers, Book Talks in Notes Section 

6-8th Grade

Brochure for 6-8th Nominated List

6-8th Grade Title List 

6-8th Grade Annotated Title List 

6-8th Grade 2019-2020 Consideration List 

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources 

6-8th Grade Ballot of Titles

6-8th Grade Google Slides Presentation with Book Trailers and Book Talks in the Notes Section

6-8th PowerPoint Presentation No Book Trailers, Book Talks are in the Notes Section

9-12th Grade 

LTRC Brochure 

9-12th Grade Title List 

9-12th Grade Annotated Title List 

9-12th Grade 2019-2020 Consideration List 

Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

9-12th Grade Ballot of Titles

9-12th Grade Google Slides Presentation with Book Trailers and Book Talks in the Notes Section

9-12th Grade PowerPoint Presentation, No Book Trailers, Book Talks are in the Notes Section

 

 

LTRC 2019 Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

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Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2019 9-12th grade nominated titles.
Additionally, Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection for the 9-12th grade LTRC nominated resources at https://www.teachingbooks.net/ql5tter.
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1.                Aging Out by Alton Carter, illustrated by Tim Jessell

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: None as of 7/31/17

·        Video - Alton Carter shares his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xdqe7PA-i4

·        Author website: http://www.altoncarter.net/

o   Book page: http://www.altoncarter.net/the-book.html

 

2.                The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBd3Bds-xMc

·        Author website: http://www.mindymcginnis.com/

·        Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062320896/the-female-of-the-species

 

3.                Heartless by Marissa Meyer

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAgClsBT3ZA

·        Video- Marissa Meyer introduces readers to Heartless:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjlYgwBdyDU

·        Author website: http://www.marissameyer.com/

·        Book website: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250044655

 

4.                Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rgqZescdT8

·        Author website: http://johncoreywhaley.com/

·        Book website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317544/highly-illogical-behavior-by-john-corey-whaley/9780147515209/

 

5.                Riders (Book 1) by Veronica Rossi

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6hK3rzBm_s

·        Author website: http://veronicarossi.com/

·        Book website: http://www.torteen.com/books/riders-veronica-rossi/

 

6.                Scythe: Arc of a Scythe (Book 1) by Neal Shusterman

·        Reading group guide: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scythe/Neal-Shusterman/Arc-of-a-Scythe/9781442472426/reading_group_guide

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYPiWDEiVvU

·        Author website: http://www.storyman.com/

·        Book website: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scythe/Neal-Shusterman/Arc-of-a-Scythe/9781442472426

 

7.                The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

·        Book study guide: http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SerpentKing_DiscussGd_WEB.pdf

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi-0izJyCZE

·        Author website: http://www.jeffzentnerbooks.com/

·        Book website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/249081/the-serpent-king-by-jeff-zentner/9780553524055/

 

8.                The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfO5sxYulY

·        Video- Nicola Yoon talks about The Sun is Also a Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdz29fRoQfM

·        Author website: http://www.nicolayoon.com/

·        Book website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/240387/the-sun-is-also-a-star-by-nicola-yoon/9780553496680/

 

9.                This is Our Story by Ashley Elston

·        Book guide coming soon

·        Book Trailer: none as of 7/31/17

·        Video of author talking about this book, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRKdYe48jbo

·        Author website: http://ashleyelston.com/

·        Book website: http://un-requiredreading.com/books/this-is-our-story-0

 

10.             Three Dark Crowns (Book 1) by Kendare Blake

·        Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcaCrSOQ9kY

·        Author website: http://kendareblake.com/

·        Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062385437/three-dark-crowns

 
 

2018-2019 LYRC 6-8 Discussion Guides and Additional Resources

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Below is a collection of resources for each of the 2018-2019 6-8 grade nominated titles, including two sites that teachers and librarians can use to promote student participation: 

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.

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Additionally, Teaching Books has partnered with us to give access to their collection for the 6-8 grade LYRC nominated resources at https://www.teachingbooks.net/ql94f54. 

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1.                The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes by Wade Albert White, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum

·        Discussion Guide made by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book trailer: none as of 10/30/17

·        Author website: http://wadealbertwhite.ca/

·        Illustrator website: https://www.behance.net/marianoepelbaum

 

2.                Booked by Kwame Alexander

·        Educator’s Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-e2daE0hoOBRmhEd2xuLThFNEk/view

·        Discussion Questions from Itsy Bitsy Mom: https://itsybitsymom.wordpress.com/discussion-questions-booked-by-kwame-alexander/

·        Book video of author talking about and reading from the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1SaldV6b4o

·        Author website: http://kwamealexander.com/

·        Publisher website: http://www.hmhbooks.com/kwamealexanderbooks/index.html

 

3.                Dara Palmer’s Major Drama by Emma Shevah

·        Discussion guide: http://www.sourcebooks.com/images/Dara_Palmer_Discussion_GuideFinal.pdf

·        Book trailer: none as of 10/30/17

·        Author reads from Dara Palmer Major Drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d8bkdCK1i0

·        Author website: https://emmashevah.com/

·        Book website: http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/dara-palmers-major-drama.html

 

4.                Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger and Paul Dellinger

·        Discussion Guide made by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book trailer: none as of 10/30/17 but there is a short book talk video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1M6oI7oPfg

·        Author website (Angleberger): http://origamiyoda.com/

·        Book website: http://www.abramsbooks.com/product/fuzzy_9781419721229/

 

5.                Ghost by Jason Reynolds

·        Reading group guide: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Ghost/Jason-Reynolds/Track/9781481450157/reading_group_guide#rgg

·        No official book trailer as of 10/30/17

·        Author reads from Ghost:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKpupNR-iqkAuthor website: http://www.jasonwritesbooks.com/ (unavailable as of 7/5/17)

·        Book website: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Ghost/Jason-Reynolds/Track/9781481450157

 

6.                Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

·        Study guide: https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/lesson-plans/migrated-featured-files/ghosts_classroom_guide.pdf

·        Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6f6wFWmAEU

·        Extended video with author:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXQ8NAMoU5Q

·        Author website: http://goraina.com/

·        Book website: http://www.scholastic.com/ghostsraina/

 

7.                The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

·        Study guide: http://algonquinyoungreaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/GWDTM_Readers-Guide_final.pdf

·        Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttt0ECofZ_g

·        Author website: https://kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/

·        Book website: http://algonquinyoungreaders.com/book/the-girl-who-drank-the-moon/

 

8.                Once Was a Time by Leila Sales

·        Study guide: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/pdfs/once_was_a_time_teacher_guide.pdf

·        Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA0EGgOJ048

·        Book talk video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CpNYorgpMI

·        Author website: http://leilasales.com/

 

9.                Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz

·        Discussion Guide made by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGcmfmTmVu0

·        Author website: http://www.alangratz.com/

·        Book website: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/projekt-1065-by-alan-gratz/

 

10.             Terror at Bottle Creek by Watt Key

·        Study guide: http://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9781250104212TG.pdf

·        Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o45S9EY_gw

·        Author website: http://wattkey.com/

·        Book website: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374374310

 

11.             The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne

·        Discussion guide: http://www.ccpayne.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Thing-About-Leftovers.pdf

·        Book trailer: none as of 10/30/17  

·        Author website: http://www.ccpayne.net/

oA nice note about librarians on her site: http://www.ccpayne.net/superstar-librarians/

·        Book website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316986/the-thing-about-leftovers-by-c-c-payne/9780147514226/

 

12.             Top Prospect by Paul Volponi

·        Discussion Guide made by LSU SLIS Graduate Students

·        Book trailer: none as of 10/30/17

·        Author’s note on early athletic scholarship: http://www.paulvolponibooks.com/images/TopProspect-VOYA_ARTICLE.pdf

·        Author website: http://www.paulvolponibooks.com/

·        Book website: https://www.lernerbooks.com/products/t/20358/9781467794336/top-prospect

 
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