Developing A Young Readers’ Choice Program And the winner is... Developing A Young Readers’ Choice Program BCTLA Conference Oct. 23, 2015 presented by: Kathy Leko, Emiline Downs, Dawne Murray & Leigh Husieff (image by Treetog Artwork)

Programs in our district: Surrey Schools’ Picture Book of the Year Surrey Schools’ Book of the Year Surrey Teens Read Album de l'année de Surrey

Picture Book program Our criteria: Ten picture books (fiction or nonfiction) are selected each year (along with a spare title). To be nominated for the Surrey Picture Book award, a book must demonstrate: a strong theme which generates discussion and extension activities content which reflects the diversity of Surrey's community a treatment of cultural and other values which is respectful a layout of text and image which is thoughtful, and promotes student engagement appeal to a wide range of learners Every reasonable effort will be made to select Canadian titles of quality. We strive to have a balance between human/animal characters, style of story, and try to include a nonfiction, a lower primary title, and an aboriginal book when possible. Selection Process: (We have a committee of 5-7 elementary teacher-librarians) We meet in the fall to review the criteria and set the timeline Each person sources 5-6 books, which we rotate to each other through our district courier After we have seen all the books we meet again to select the nominees We put out all the books and each person gets 10 post-its to put on their favorites The books receiving few post-its are eliminated then we narrow it down to the final selection Voting: T-Ls from each school get their students to vote and then send in their results to a committee member We usually have at least 10,000 students voting. Our website: We post nominees, past winners, forms, links and lesson plan ideas http://surreybooks.co.nr/

Book of the Year program Selection Criteria: Ten books are selected each year. To be nominated for the SSBOY award, a book must demonstrate: - appeal to a wide range of learners; - a strong theme which generates discussion and extension activities; - a treatment of cultural and other values which is respectful and inclusive; - a treatment of content which is thoughtful and promotes student engagement. Every reasonable effort will be made to select texts published within three years of the program year. 2015 - 2016 Nominees <https://twitter.com/ssbooks36><mailto:surreyboty@gmail.com>

Teens Read program Selection Criteria A shortlist of 8-10 books is selected in the Spring of the previous year. Books considered for the Surrey Teens Read shortlist – Must have been published within two years of selection Must have been reviewed favourably by at least two professional review journals. May be written by authors of any nationality, but must be available in English. Represent a variety of genres, format, maturity, and reading levels. Shortlisted titles are intended to engage both female and male readers. Every reasonable effort is made to select titles which appeal to a wide range of readers; which explore ethnic, cultural and other perspectives respectfully and inclusively; and which provide thoughtful and engaging content, reflecting young adult interests. The content of some of the shortlisted titles may be more mature than younger students may have previously encountered. Surrey Teens Read is a voluntary young readers’ choice award program and not all selections will be appropriate for all readers. To be eligible to vote online in May, students will be asked to read a minimum of three titles from the shortlist. Our website: http://www.surreyteensread.weebly.com

District Support Purchasing Extra ordering options Processing Posters Sticker Website

Public Library Support website: lists current nominees and past winners at http://www.surreylibraries.ca/programs-services/4851.aspx circulation of nominated books, including ebooks and some downloadable audio books

Contact us downs_e@surreyschools.ca husieff_l@surreyschools.ca leko_k@surreyschools.ca murray_d@surreyschools.ca