Literary Awards

  • Literary Awards honor books that are distinguished pieces of literature.  

     
    The Newbery Award is named after 18th Century bookseller John Newbery.  It is awarded every year to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.  
     
    The Caldecott Award is named after the 19th-century illustrator Ralph Caldecott.  It is awarded every year to the artist with the most distinguished American picture books for children.
     
    The Monarch Award is an award in which children in grades K-3 in Illinois have the opportunity to read from a list of 20 books and vote on which one is their favorite.  

    The Bluestem Award is an award in which children in grades 3-5 in Illinois have the opportunity to read from a list of 20 books and vote on which one is their favorite. 
     
    The Rebecca Caudill Award is an award given every year to the book that children in grades 4-8 in Illinois feel is the most outstanding from a list of 20 chapter books.