Many states have young adult book awards where adults suggest the nominated books. But for the Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, (CBSA), teens do all the choosing of what books to nominate. Middle and high school librarians mentor students (called judges) in book groups (called teams). Each team reads many books and chooses their favorite. That book becomes that team’s nomination for the winner. After more reading, the judges and students from all over Colorado vote on their favorite of the nominated books. The student judges announce winning books at the Colorado Teen Lit Conference in mid-April.
WHY DOES THE AWARD MATTER?
Youth are nominating and judging the books, not adults.
Communities of youth readers bloom.
The student judges have a chance to read a lot.
Readers are celebrated.
Student judges must defend their book choices.
Rural schools are actively encouraged to participate.
Students are recognized for their reading work.
Librarians buy the nominated books.
The award brings readers and authors into communication.
Judges announce the winners at the Co Teen Lit Conference in mid-April.
INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN COLORADO
Elliot added seven books to the CBSA eligible book Padlet, the website where eligible books are posted. Two of those books were chosen as nominees for the award. Elliot found these books and caused the books to be read by teens statewide!
Alivia was on middle school CBSA team in Denver last year. She attended the CO Teen Lit Conference and was one of the students that helped announce the winning books. She loved it. During the summer, she moved to Fort Collins and started at Poudre High School as a Freshman. She has now organized a CBSA team at Poudre High.
Aaron was from Cortez, a small town in the four corners region of Colorado. He is Hispanic and trans and spoke elegantly for Cemetery Boys, a fantastical story of Dia de los Muertos. Although the book did not win the award, it had many supporters who spoke passionately about it.
Partners in Literacy wants to hear and amplify TEEN voices!!