Every year the Missouri Association of School Librarians puts out a reading list for people of all ages and groups to read. From that list, books are put on a list of nominees for several awards. At the elementary level, we focus on two distinct areas. The Show-Me nominees are wonderful picture books for our younger readers. The Mark Twain nominees are fictional chapter books or graphic novels that cover many genres within our library. Students who read these selections are invited to cast their vote for the winner each spring. The winner is announced at the annual librarian conferece every April!
Students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd are welcome to read these nominated books and vote in March for their choice. These books are both fiction and non-fiction, and often teach us about people in history that impacted our lives today we didn't know about them!
Students in grades 4th and 5th grades read the Mark Twain nominees. These fictional works represent some of the best children's literature to be produced for ages 9-12. Students who are interested in reading these books can vote in the spring to award an author with this prestigious Missouri award.