The
California Young Reader Medal (CYRM) program encourages recreational
reading of popular literature among the young people
of our state. Since its inception in 1974, millions
of California children have nominated, read, and voted
for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal.
Young
people suggest the names of favorite books for nomination,
or teachers and librarians note repeatedly read or requested
titles, and these are submitted to the California Young
Reader Medal Committee. Members of the committee read
the suggested books, discuss their merits and appeal
to children, and then decide upon a well-balanced list
of nominees.
The CYRM logo was created by artist Kathleen Womble at the request of Becca Watchman, one of the founders of the California Young Reader Medals Both women were employed by the Lucia Mar Unified School District in Arroyo Grande, California.
Sponsorship
The CYRM program is sponsored
by four statewide organizations committed to books and
reading:
A
committee of representatives from each organization
coordinates CYRM activities at the state level. The
committee develops a promotional packet about the program
and provides all the materials needed for participation.
These materials include the ballots, nomination forms,
and nominee lists.
Nomination
and Voting
To be considered for nomination, a book
must be an original work of fiction published within
the last four years by a living author. Recommendations
for nomination are due each year by April 1 for consideration
as a nominee the following year. It is a two-year cycle
from the time of nomination by students to the presentation
of the California Young Reader Medal to the winning
authors (and illustrators in the Primary and Picture
Books for Older Readers categories).
Books
are nominated for the medal in five categories:
| Primary
(Grades K - 3) |
| Intermediate
(Grades 3 - 6) |
| Middle
School/junior High (Grades 6 - 9) |
| Young
Adult (Grades 9 - 12) |
| Picture
Books for Older Readers (4th Grade and up) |
Students may read and vote for books in any and all
categories, but they must read all the books nominated
in a category to be eligible to vote. Students read
the nominated books from July through March and vote
for their favorite. Teachers and librarians introduce
the nominees to students, often in exciting and innovative
ways. They provide ballots for the students, compile
vote totals, and submit results to the CYRM committee.
All
CYRM ballots must be postmarked by April 1 of each year.
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