California Young Reader Medal

The California Young Reader Medal is a set of five annual literary awards conferred upon picture books and fiction books selected by vote of California schoolchildren from a ballot prepared by committee. The program was established in 1974 with Intermediate, Primary, and Young Adult Medals that were inaugurated in 1975, 1976, and 1977 and were conferred biennially, and annually beginning in 1983.

The program is intended to encourage recreational reading and is sponsored by four organizations that promote reading and literacy: the California Association of Teachers of English, the California Library Association, the California Reading Association, and the California School Library Association.

There are five medals, last modified for 2002: Primary (grades K-3), Intermediate (grades 3-6), Middle School/Junior High (grades 6-9), Young Adult (grades 9-12), and Picture Books for Older Readers (grades 4 and up)—that is, roughly age 10 and up. Both writer and illustrator receive the Primary and Picture Book Medals, where applicable.

The ballot for each medal comprises 3–5 books published during the preceding four years—two to five years ago when the process concludes. For example, 17 books published from 2010 to 2013 were nominated for 2014–2015.

Rules and process

Young readers, their parents, educators, librarians, and "anyone who works with young people" may recommend books. Candidates must be original works of fiction by living authors, available in English, published during the four preceding years and still in print.

Nominations are made by award category and the books should be "often read or requested" and have "strong appeal for the age group". A committee of the sponsoring organizations selects "a well-balanced list of nominees" (finalists), considering merit and appeal.

Children may vote in all categories where they know all of the candidates by reading or hearing read aloud. They cast a combined paper ballot at once, in a classroom or library monitored by an adult.

Current rendition

The winners of 2015 Medals were announced May 1 and scheduled for presentation separately at the next annual meetings of the sponsoring organizations, October 2015 to February 2016.

Primary

Exclamation Mark, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Scholastic, 2013.

Intermediate

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio. Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

Middle School/Junior High

The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, 2012.

Young Adult

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. Dutton Books, 2012.

Picture Books for Older Readers

Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Team, written by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Steven Salerno. Clarion, 2012.

Nominees for 2015–2016 are in effect, ballots for the 2016 medals were announced in February, and voting is open for fourteen months, until April 1, 2016 (the same day recommendations for 2018 medals are due).

Winners

The medals in four categories inaugurated in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1980 were biennial until 1983, and thereafter annual. For each category (now five) CYRM maintains a "Booklist" of finalists (3–5 annually) that provides basic bibliographic data for all, and cover images beginning in 2005 or so.

1970s

1975

Intermediate: How to Eat Fried Worms, by Thomas Rockwell

1976

Primary: How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head, by Bill Peet

1977

Intermediate: Freaky Friday, by Mary Rodgers

Young Adult: Watership Down, by Richard Adams

1978

Primary: Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth, written by Lucy Bate, illustrated by Diane de Groat

1979

Intermediate: Danny, the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl

Young Adult: The Late Great Me, by Sandra Scoppettone

1980s

1980

Primary: Big Bad Bruce, by Bill Peet

Middle School/Junior High: The Pinballs, by Betsy Byars

1981

Intermediate: Summer of the Monkeys, by Wilson Rawls

Young Adult: A Summer to Die, by Lois Lowry

1982

Primary: Miss Nelson is Missing, written by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall

Middle School/Junior High: Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood, by Ellen Conford

1983

Primary: Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp, by Mercer Mayer

Intermediate: Superfudge, by Judy Blume

Middle School/Junior High: Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume

Young Adult: Summer of Fear, by Lois Duncan

1984

Primary: Bagdad Ate It, written by Phyllis Green, illustrated by Joel Schick

Intermediate: The Trouble with Tuck, by Theodore Taylor

Middle School/Junior High: There's a Bat in Bunk Five, by Paula Danziger

Young Adult: Stranger with My Face, by Lois Duncan

1985

Primary: Herbie's Troubles, written by Carol Chapman, illustrated by Kelly Oechsli

Intermediate: The Indian in the Cupboard, by Lynne Reid Banks

Middle School/Junior High: Taking Terri Mueller, by Norma Fox Mazer

Young Adult: The Truth Trap, by Frances Miller

1986

Primary: Space Case, written by Edward Marshall, illustrated by James Marshall

Intermediate: Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade, by Barthe DeClements

Middle School/Junior High: Girl with the Silver Eyes, by Willo Davis Roberts

Young Adult: The Darkangel, by Meredith Pierce

Beginning in 1987, the illustrators of Primary Award-winning books have officially received full recognition alongside the writers.

1987

Primary: The Napping House, written by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

Intermediate: The Dollhouse Murders, by Betty Ren Wright

Middle School/Junior High: You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye, by Patricia Hermes

Young Adult: Pursuit, by Michael French

1988

Primary: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, written by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond

Intermediate: Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days, by Stephen Manes

Middle School/Junior High: The Root Cellar, by Janet Lunn

Young Adult, Interstellar Pig, by William Sleator

1989

Primary: What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs?, written by Carol Carrick, illustrated by Donald Carrick

Intermediate: The Castle in the Attic, by Elizabeth Winthrop

Middle School/Junior High: The Stalker, by Joan Lowery Nixon

Young Adult: The Face at the Edge of the World, by Eve Bunting

1990s

1990

Primary: Eyes of the Dragon, written by Margaret Leaf, illustrated by Ed Young

Intermediate: The War with Grandpa, by Robert Kimmel Smith

Middle School/Junior High: The Other Side of Dark, by Joan Lowery Nixon

Young Adult: Izzy, Willy Nilly, by Cynthia Voigt

1991

Primary: Tacky the Penguin, written by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn M. Munsinger

Intermediate: Harry's Mad, by Dick King-Smith

Middle School/Junior High: December Stillness, by Mary Downing Hahn

Young Adult: Night Kites, by M.E. Kerr

1992

Primary: Never Spit on Your Shoes, by Denys Cazet

Intermediate: All About Sam, by Lois Lowry

Middle School/Junior High: Sniper, by Theodore Taylor

Young Adult: A Sudden Silence, by Eve Bunting

1993

Primary: Julius, the Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes

Intermediate: Fudge-a-Mania, by Judy Blume

Middle School/Junior High: Something Upstairs, by Avi

Young Adult: The Silver Kiss, by Annette Curtis Klause

1994

Primary: High-Wire Henry, written by Mary Calhoun, illustrated by Erick Ingraham

Intermediate: Scared Stiff, by Willo Davis Roberts

Middle School/Junior High: There's a Girl in My Hammerlock, by Jerry Spinelli

Young Adult: We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier

1995

Primary: Martha Speaks, by Susan Meddaugh

Intermediate: Stonewords, by Pam Conrad

Middle School/Junior High: Rescue Josh McGuire, by Ben Mikaelsen

Young Adult: Downriver, by Will Hobbs

1996

Primary: Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon

Intermediate: Time for Andrew, by Mary Downing Hahn

Middle School/Junior High: Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick

Young Adult: Shadow of the Dragon, by Sherry Garland

1997

Primary: Don't Fidget a Feather!, written by Erica Silverman, illustrated by S. D. Schindler

Intermediate: Jennifer Murdley's Toad, by Bruce Coville

Middle School/Junior High: Sparrow Hawk Red, by Ben Mikaelsen

Young Adult: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher

1998

Primary: Dog Breath, by Dav Pilkey

Intermediate: The Junkyard Dog, by Erika Tamar

Middle School/Junior High: The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis

Young Adult: Ironman, by Chris Crutcher

1999

Primary: Livingstone Mouse, written by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole

Intermediate: The 13th Floor, written by Sid Fleischman, illustrated by Peter Sis

Middle School/Junior High: Under the Blood Red Sun, by Graham Salisbury

Young Adult: The Only Alien on the Planet, by Kristen Randle

2000s

2000

Primary: Lost, written by Paul Brett Johnson and Celeste Lewis, illustrated by Johnson

Intermediate: Riding Freedom, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Middle School/Junior High: Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

Young Adult: Breaking Bones, by A. M. Jenkins

2001

Primary: Grandpa's Teeth, by Rod Clement

Intermediate: Honus & Me, by Dan Gutman

Middle School/Junior High: Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Young Adult: Armageddon Summer, by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville

2002

Primary: Hooway for Wodney Wat, written by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn M. Munsinger

Intermediate: The Million Dollar Shot, by Dan Gutman

Middle School/Junior High: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, by Jack Gantos

Young Adult: Bad, by Jean Ferris

Picture Books for Older Readers: Weslandia, by Paul Fleischman

2003

Primary: I Will Never, Not Ever, Eat a Tomato, by Lauren Child

Intermediate: Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo

Middle School/Junior High: Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen

Young Adult: Define "Normal", by Julie Anne Peters

Picture Books for Older Readers: The Babe and I, by David A. Adler

2004

Primary: A Fine, Fine School, written by Sharon Creech, illustrated by Harry Bliss

Intermediate: The School Story, by Andrew Clements

Middle School/Junior High: Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen

Young Adult: Ties that Bind, Ties that Break, by Lensey Namioka

Picture Books for Older Readers: And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon, by Janet Stevens

2005

Primary: Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, written by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Intermediate: Ruby Holler, by Sharon Creech

Middle School/Junior High: Things Not Seen, by Andrew Clements

Young Adult: Stormbreaker, by Anthony Horowitz

Picture Books for Older Readers: Mr. Lincoln's Way, by Patricia Polacco

2006

Primary: Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook, by Michael Garland

Intermediate: The Good Dog, by Avi

Middle School/Junior High: 12 Again, by Sue Corbett

Young Adult: After, by Francine Prose

Picture Books for Older Readers: Boxes for Katje, written by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen

2007

Primary: My Lucky Day, by Keiko Kasza

Intermediate: Christopher Mouse, by William Wise

Middle School/Junior High: Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko

Young Adult: Shattering Glass, by Gail Giles

Picture Books for Older Readers: The Cats in Krasinski Square, written by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Wendy Watson

2008

Primary: Superdog: The Heart of a Hero, written by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner

Intermediate: Each Little Bird That Sings, by Deborah Wiles

Middle School/Junior High: The Schwa Was Here, by Neal Shusterman

Young Adult: Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo

Picture Books for Older Readers: Mr. Maxwell's Mouse, written by Frank Asch, illustrated by Devin Asch

2009

Primary: Stanley's Wild Ride, written by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin

Intermediate: Sheep, by Valerie Hobbs

Middle School/Junior High: Heat, by Mike Lupica

Young Adult: Sold, by Patricia McCormick

Picture Books for Older Readers: Mystery at the Club Sandwich, written and illustrated by Doug Cushman

2010s

2010

Primary: Millie Waits for the Mail, by Alexander Steffensmeier

Intermediate: No Talking, by Andrew Clements

Middle School/Junior High: Alabama Moon, by Watt Key

Young Adult: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

Picture Books for Older Readers: Owney: The Mail-Pouch Pooch, written by Mona Kerby, illustrated by Lynne Barasch

2011

Primary: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, written by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Michael Austin

Intermediate: Zorgamazoo, by Robert Paul Weston

Middle School/Junior High: Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata

Young Adult: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Picture Books for Older Readers: John, Paul, George, and Ben, written and illustrated by Lane Smith

2012

Primary: I Need My Monster, written by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam

Intermediate: Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning, by Danette Haworth

Middle School/Junior High: Every Soul a Star, by Wendy Mass.

Young Adult: Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

Picture Books for Older Readers: Henry's Freedom Box, written by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

2013

Primary: We Are in a Book!, written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Intermediate: The Giant Slayer, by Iain Lawrence

Middle School/Junior High: Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper

Young Adult: Matched, by Ally Condie

Picture Books for Older Readers: Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle, written by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery, illustrated with photographs by members of the Marines team

2014

Primary: Press Here, written and illustrated by Herve Tullet

Intermediate: The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann

Middle School/Junior High: Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick

Young Adult: Divergent, by Veronica Roth

Picture Books for Older Readers: Queen of the Falls, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

2015

Primary: Exclamation Mark, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Scholastic, 2013.

Intermediate: Wonder, by R. J. Palacio. Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

Middle School/Junior High: The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, 2012.

Young Adult: The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green. Dutton Books, 2012.

Picture Books for Older Readers: Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Team, written by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Steven Salerno. Clarion, 2012.