There are many ways to find the next book to read. You can come in and browse, or you can use a bestseller list to pick the next one. Below you will find some links to lists, awards and more that can help you pick the right book for you or your children.
Children’s Picks
The Ladybug Picture Book Award is designed to promote early literacy and honor the best in recent children’s picture books. A committee of children’s librarians from around the state selects 10 picture book titles early in the year. Then, during November, New Hampshire children from preschoolers to those in third grade choose the award winner. The winning picture book is announced at the end of the year. The author and illustrator of the winning book will receive a crystal award created by Pepi Herrmann Crystal.
To be considered for nomination, a picture book must meet the following criteria:
- be published, in its current edition, within the last three years
- be in print
- have an author and illustrator both residing in the United States
- possess strong child appeal
- have artistic quality with text that supports the illustrations
- not be a title previously nominated
The Great Stone Face Book Award is given annually to an author whose book receives the most votes from 4th through 6th graders throughout the state. The children vote for their favorite book from a list of 25 recently-published titles that are chosen by the Great Stone Face (GSF) Committee. The voting takes place every April during National Library Week, and the winner is announced in May. The purpose of the award is to promote reading enjoyment, to increase awareness of contemporary writing, and to allow children to honor their favorite authors.
Young Adults’ Picks
The Isinglass Teen Read Award was begun in 2001 by the Barrington Public Library and the Barrington Middle School in order to promote teen reading, the participation of teens in the creation of their own reading list, and to honor those authors whose works speak to youth. The award is now open to all New Hampshire students in grades 7-8.
Voting is done annually in April. So join in reading from the current and past lists, and send your suggestions for new titles to add!
The Flume: NH Teen Reader’s Choice Award was created in 2005 in response to a New Hampshire teen’s request to have a book award geared towards high school students. This award is a statewide venture led by a collaborative effort from school and public librarians. Each year teens nominate titles – published in the last two years – they think deserve to be recognized. Librarians narrow the group of titles to a shorter list. Teens then vote for the winning title from that list.
To be considered, books must meet the following criteria:
- publication date within the past two years
- if the books is part of a series, it must be able to stand alone – a reader doesn’t have to read the other books in the series to understand what’s going on
Adults’ Picks
Award Winning books for adults are harder to define, but we can point you to this list, which has many early winners of Newbery, Pulitzer, and other awards available free online.
Bestseller lists
Looking for something more comprehensive? Check out this wikipedia entry on the top selling books of all time!