1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.
Nominees

5. 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:

6. District Support Purchasing Extra ordering options Processing Posters
Sticker
Website

7. Public Library Support
website: lists current nominees and past winners at
circulation of nominated books, including ebooks and some downloadable audio books

8. Contact us downs_e@surreyschools.ca husieff_l@surreyschools.ca