Virginia Reader Choice

I'm happy to announce that I am a member of the Virginia Reader's Choice Committee for elementary books for the next few years.

On this committee, we narrow down a list of 50-60 books to the top 10 for that year, and then students across the state vote for the best of the bunch.

The purpose of the Committee is:
1.  To encourage young readers to become better acquainted with contemporary books with outstanding literary appeal.
2.  To broaden students' awareness of literature as a life long pleasure.
3.  To encourage reading aloud in classrooms as a means of introducing reading for pleasure, and
4.  To honor favorite books and authors.

Selection criterion are:
1.  Publication within the last 5 years.
2.  Availability
3.  Acceptable published reviews
4.  Recommendations (reviewed/read) by the majority at level committee
5.  Physical appearance of book (illustrations, format)
6.  Variety of reading levels appropriate for audience
7.  Appeal to appropriate leveled reader's interest
8.  Variety of genre
9.  Balance of characters (gender, ethnicity, etc).
10.  Potential for read aloud
11.  Potential to develop recreational reading beyond the curriculum
12.  Introduction of new authors to readers
13.  Virginia connection (author, setting, content).

I'm sharing this with you, both to let you know that I'm going to be doing A LOT of reading this summer, but to also beg for suggestions for next year.  We already have our list of suggestions for committee members to review for this year, but I'd appreciate suggestions for next year.  Either leave a comment, email or tweet me; publishers, if you have a book that you'd like me to consider, please don't hesitate to contact me.