Nebraska's Children's Choice Literary Award
Sponsored by Nebraska Library Association
Since 1982, Nebraska Golden Sower Award has sought to sow seeds which stimulate children's thinking, introduce different types of literature, encourage independent reading, increase library skills, and foster an appreciation for excellence in writing and illustrating.
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Golden Sower Award winners, as chosen by Nebraska students! 64,907 student votes in total.
If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen, illustrated by the author
Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick
Run, Hide, Fight Back by April Henry
Current School Year
See below for information on Golden Sower nominees for the 2022-2023 school year. The Picture Book category is primarily intended for grades K-2; Chapter Books for grades 3-5; and Novels for grades 6-8. However, it is up to local adults to decide which books to use and how.
Students do not vote directly on this site. Instead, a local adult such as a teacher or librarian will collect their votes, then submit voting totals between November 1, 2022 and April 15, 2023. Visit our Voting page for more details.
This year we are offering the Nebraska Golden Sower Manual for free! Click here to download the manual. The manual offers links to Internet resources, discussion questions, activities, and more for this year's nominees. Our thanks to volunteer manual writers! Contact nlagoldensower@nebraskalibraries.org if you would like to help create the manual in the future.
2022-2023 Picture Book Nominees
How to Catch a Clover Thief by Elise Parsley, illustrated by the author
Lift by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor, illustrated by the author
On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex, illustrated by the author
Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham, illustrated by the author
The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder, illustrated by the author
The Perfectly Perfect Wish by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
This Way, Charlie by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso
Trees Make Perfect Pets by Paul Czajak, illustrated by Cathy Gendron
2022-2023 Chapter Book Nominees
Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard
Clues to the Universe by Christina Li
Every Missing Piece by Melanie Conklin
Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar
Stella by McCall Hoyle
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter by Aaron Reynolds
The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
The Million Dollar Race by Matthew Ross Smith
The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
Twins by Varian Johnson, illustrated by Shannon Wright
2022-2023 Novel Nominees
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders
Dragon Ops by Mari Mancusi
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden
Golden Arm by Carl Deuker
Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Unplugged by Gordon Korman