2019-2020 William Allen White Children’s Book Awards

William Allen White Award What is the WAW Book Award? Who was William Allen White? How does it work? Who selects the books? Who votes? Then what happens? History of the Award 2019 - 2020 Book List

What is the WAW Book Award? It is a Children’s Book Award for the state of Kansas. This award is directed by Emporia State University. Source: http://waw.emporia.edu/masterlists/masterlist.htm

Who was William Allen White? He was the editor of the Emporia Gazette newspaper in Emporia, Kansas. In 1896, he became well known because of an editorial he wrote in that newspaper about a political issue of the time. He was NOT the author of these books. Source: http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward

How does it work? Each year books are selected for 2 groups: 3rd – 5th grades & 6th –8th grades. There is one winner for each group. Students across the state are encouraged to read as many books as possible from the list.

Who can vote? Students who have read at least two books from the Master List for their grade level are eligible to vote for their favorite. Ballots are sent to all Kansas schools in February or March. Schools turn their voting results in to Emporia State University in April.

Then what happens? The authors of the winning books are invited to a reception in the fall where they’ll receive a bronze “White Award Medal” at an awards ceremony. Students and teachers are encouraged to attend the award ceremony to meet the authors and listen to their acceptance speeches. This year’s celebration will be Saturday, October 5, 2020, at Emporia State University.

Who selects the books? There is a selection committee who represents Kansas educational and professional organizations concerned with children. They create a master list of titles. Books can be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry and were published during the previous year. Anyone can nominate a book and submit it to the committee.

Selection committee process Members must read at least 50% of nominated books to participate in selection. Executive director & secretary & committee chair do not vote. Only books read by at least 60% of those present at the meeting can be considered. For a title to be placed on the list following discussion of it, at least 60% of those who read it must vote for its placement. Titles are first chosen for the list without regard for age division. Once nominations cease, the lists are divided into grades 3 to 5 & grades 6 to 8. Before the list is finalized, there is opportunity to reconsider any titles chosen.

History of the Award The book award was began in 1952 by the late Ruth Garver Gagliardo, to honor the memory of William Allen White. It was established to encourage the boys and girls of Kansas to read and enjoy good books. A lot has changed since Ruth Garver Gagliardo created the award and served as its first selection committee chairperson…but the structure she developed remains. c. 1964 ESU Archives

Grades 6 - 8

Posted by John David Anderson Walden Pond Press When cell phones are banned at their school, students start communicating through sticky notes left all over the school, triggering a wave of bullying activities in the wake of a new girl's arrival. (1:08)

Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter Harper/HarperCollins Having shared so many foster homes that they are unable to trust that their new adoptive family will last, Flora and her brother, Julian, are helped by their new mother on a journey to resolve their past so they can build a future. (1:29)

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng Dial Books for Young Readers Eleven-year-old Alex Petroski, along with his dog, Carl Sagan, makes big discoveries about his family on a road trip and he records it all on a golden iPod he intends to launch into space. (1:13)

Refugee by Alan Gratz Scholastic Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the unrest plaguing her country in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015, discover shocking connections. (1:12)

Saving Marty by Paul Griffin Dial Books for Young Readers When Lorenzo adopts a runt piglet destined for auction, an unexpected, life-changing friendship forms. (1:05) (1:18)

One Last Word by Nikki Grimes Bloomsbury USA Presents selections from the author's poems combined with works of the Harlem Renaissance poets about the experiences of African Americans facing discrimination and hardship in America. (:00)

Slider by Pete Hautman Candlewick Press David trains for a pizza-eating contest he is desperate to win so he can repay his mother the $2,000 he accidentally charged to her credit card. Meanwhile, he must ride herd on his autistic brother and cope with his friends' new romance. (1:38)

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson Dial Books for Young Readers Homeschooled by Renaissance Fair enthusiasts, eleven-year-old Imogene has a hard time fitting in when her wish to enroll in public school is granted. (:54)

Restart by Gordon Korman Scholastic When Chase returns to middle school after falling off the roof and losing his memory, he learns that the person he was before the amnesia is not someone he likes. (1:42)

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder Walden Pond Press On an island where one child is delivered each year while the eldest is taken away, nine children live under the leadership of new elder Jinny, who trains the latest newcomer and wonders what will happen when her own departure occurs. (1:34)

GHOST by Jason Reynolds Caitlyn Diouhy/ Atheneum/ Simon & Schuster Last Year’s Winner GHOST by Jason Reynolds Caitlyn Diouhy/ Atheneum/ Simon & Schuster Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team. He must stay on track, literally and figuratively, to reach his full potential.

READ READ READ! ESU Archives

Michelle Hammond Beverley Buller WAW Awards program director Selection committee chairperson