History of the
Volunteer state Book Award

The Tennessee Library Association, in cooperation with the Tennessee Association of School Librarians, sponsors the Volunteer State Book Award (VSBA) annually. Each year, children read books from a list of nominated titles. In the spring, students vote for their favorite. These votes are tabulated and sent to the state organization. The book with the most votes statewide wins the award. The author of the book receives a plaque and is invited to Tennessee to receive the award.

From 1978-1988, this award was named the Tennessee Children's Choice Book Award and was made available only to students in 4th, 5th and 6th grades. The first winner was Thomas Rockwell’s How to Eat Fried Worms. In 1988, the award was expanded to include all grade levels and four awards were announced: for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Beginning in 1992, three awards were announced: one for primary grades, one for intermediate grades, and one for young adult (YA) readers. Finally, in 2012, the structure was modified to reflect what it is today, four divisions: one for primary grades, one for intermediate grades, one for Middle School, and one for High School.