Massachusetts Children's Book Awards (MCBA)
From the Salem State University Website:
After finding that many children lose interest in books after reaching the intermediate grades, Dr. Helen Constant founded the Massachusetts Children's Book Award program in 1975. Designed for Massachusetts schoolchildren in grades 4-6, the program briefly included grades 7-9 from 1978 through 1983.
Today, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders are given a "master list" of book titles. After reading five of the books, students may vote for their favorite. The list is compiled from nominations of participating teachers, librarians and interested publishers. A selection committee works with the nominations and chooses 25 titles to appear on the master list.
Criteria for the master list include literary quality, genres variety, representation of diverse cultural groups and reader appeal. Originally, only books published in the years immediately before the award were eligible. Between 1983 and 1995, however, older titles became eligible. Now, only books published within five years of the award year are eligible. Titles on the master list are all available in paperback. The author of the winning book receives a plaque to commemorate the award.
As a result of the class' participation, all books from this year's list will be donated to the fourth and fifth grade classrooms and the East Gloucester Library. It's a great collection!
2018 Winner: The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
2017 Winner: El Deafo by Cece Bell
2016 Winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
2015 Winner: The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
2014 Winner: Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper