The Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Lincoln Award is an annual award given to the author of the Young Adult book voted most outstanding by 9th- through 12th-grade students at participating Illinois school and public libraries.
Each year, a panel of high school librarians, teachers, students and public librarians develop a list of twenty books written for a high school audience. Students are encouraged to participate in selecting this year's winner by reading four (or more!) books from the master list, then vote for their favorite during the second week in March.
The award, which is named for President Abraham Lincoln, a noted reader, is sponsored by the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE).
Pick up or download a copy of the 2026 Lincoln Master List from the AHS library.
Visit the AHS library to check out one of these amazing books.
Read and enjoy every page of this outstanding literary work.
Fill out the Lincoln Award Reading Record indicating that you read a title from the list, what you thought of it and whether you recommend it to other students.
Return your book to the library.
Repeat Steps 2 through 5 until you have read at least THREE titles from the list.
During the second week in March, fill out the official voting ballot sent to you by Ms. Griswold and vote for your favorite title from the list.
Celebrate your accomplishment, receive accolades from your teachers and classmates, and enjoy a swag bag filled with reading-related and other goodies!