District #86 Kindergarten through 3rd graders will be taking part in a project to choose the winning book to receive for this year to receive Monarch Award. The Monarch Award is an Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Award that is presented annually to the author and/or illustrator of the book voted as their favorite by the students in participating Illinois schools or public libraries. The award is sponsored the Illinois School Library Media Association.

The purpose of the award is to:

• encourage children and adults to read children's books for personal enjoyment.

• help children become familiar with books, authors, and illustrators.

• encourage children to read critically.

• develop a statewide awareness of outstanding literature for children.

• promote cooperation among agencies providing educational and library service to children.

In February, after the students have been exposed to the nominated books, they will vote for their favorite.  The votes will then be submitted to ISLMA to be counted toward the winning book.
 

2009 Nominated Books

	Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea by Chris Butterworth		Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi
	Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies		The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice Harrington
	George Did It by Suzanne Jurmain		Nora's Ark by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
	Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen		Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald
	Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod		Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia McKissack
	Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O'Malley		Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
	Cookies: Bite-size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal		Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant
	Skippyjon Jones by Judith Schachner		The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate the School by Judy Sierra
	The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Steven Crummel		There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker
	Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems		The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright

 

For more information visit the official Monarch Award website.

Activities, additional information, and related websites for the Monarch Nominees.