About the Blue Crab Award

The Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award, established in 2004, was designed to foster interest in books for early and emerging independent readers. At the time, there was a scarcity of quality books in this category, and the award aimed to attract national attention, encouraging authors, illustrators, and publishers to create more exceptional works for young readers.

Since the Maryland Library Association (MLA) initiated this award, other organizations have followed suit. Notably, the American Library Association (ALA) introduced the Geisel Award in 2004, addressing the same gap in children's publishing.

Each year,  one winning book and up to three honor books are selected in each of the following categories:

• Beginning Reader Fiction

• Beginning Reader Nonfiction

• Transitional Fiction

• Transitional Nonfiction

Purpose:

• Identify and promote the best fiction and nonfiction books for early readers (K-2nd grade) and transitional readers (2nd-4th grade), including those suitable for both grade-level readers and reluctant older readers.

• Provide teachers, librarians, and caregivers with a curated resource list of exceptional books for beginning readers.

• Encourage publishers, authors, and illustrators to create high-quality books for early readers.