What is the timeline to participate in NCCBA?
November 1 - March 31: Kids nominate their favorite books.
Kids (librarians may help) nominate their favorite picture books and junior books by visiting the NCCBA website (you're on it - nccba.blogspot.com)
- Nominated books have a copyright within 4 years of award year.
- The acceptable publication dates for the 2024 award for which we will start accepting nominations in November 2022 are 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Kids vote for their favorite books from the list of picture book and junior book nominees.
- Kids must read or listen to at least 5 picture books to vote.
- Kids must read or listen to at least 3 junior books to vote.
Kids may vote through their school and participating public libraries.
What criteria does the committee use to choose the final nominees each year?
Book Selection Guidelines
Purpose of Picture Book award (appropriate for lower elementary students but any child may vote as long as they have read a minimum of 5 titles)
- To encourage lower elementary students to become better acquainted with the best writers and illustrators of contemporary books with outstanding literary appeal.
- To broaden students’ awareness of literature as a means of personal satisfaction and lifelong pursuit.
- To promote reading aloud with students in the early grades as a means of introducing reading for pleasure.
- To give recognition and honor to their favorite books, authors, and illustrators.
Purpose of Junior Book award (appropriate for upper elementary students)
- To encourage upper elementary students to become better acquainted with noteworthy writers of contemporary books.
- To broaden students’ awareness of literature as a means of personal satisfaction and lifelong pursuit.
- To promote reading aloud with students as a means of extending the concept of reading for pleasure.
- To give recognition and honor to their favorite books, authors, and illustrators.
General guidelines for selection of final nominees by Committee
- Members choose one list to focus on - picture books or junior books.
- Members should come to the selection meeting familiar with all of the titles on their chosen list. During the selection meeting, each group discusses and votes on their particular list.
- We have no control over the books that are nominated, but we consider diversity among our finalists. (Diversity in genre, race, religion, format, gender, etc.)
- Original publication dates should be within 4 years of the award year.
- Books must be readily available for purchase.
How can I get seals to place on the winning titles?
Seals to place on the front of winning books are available from NCCBA
co-chair, Lisa Denning.