Statewide Student

Book Award Program

Fostering Intrinsic Motivation for Reading in Grades 4-6

Background
Each year Salem State University offers the students of Massachusetts the
opportunity to participate in the selection of the Massachusetts Children’s Book
Award (MCBA).

Students are presented with a list of 25 recently published books of a range in

genre and reading level. Upon reading 5 books any student is granted to
opportunity to vote for the annual winner.

According to the AASL: “School librarians take a leadership role in organizing and
promoting literacy projects and events that engage learners and motivate them to
become lifelong readers.” Participation in the MCBA is a program that can support
this goal.
Why Participate?
“The program can provide students an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with good
literature. Acting as a judge compels a reader to exercise critical thinking skills, carefully
analyze what has been read, and compare several books to evaluate their award-winning
qualities” (Somers, 1995).

“Getting students to read and keeping them reading is easier when students are surrounded
by quality books and encouraged to respond to them. Children's choice book awards
programs let children establish autonomy in their reading choices and develop relationships
around shared reading experiences” (Crow, 2010).

“Statewide young readers' choice award programs have tremendous power to have an
impact on children's literacy”(Seagrave, 2004).
What are the Rules?
With the MCBA and other programs like it “there is no rigid structure that must be
followed. Each library media specialist has freedom to adapt the program to meet
the needs and schedules of students in the school” (Somers, 1995).

However, one of the hallmarks of a children’s choice program “is that children can
choose to participate. For this reason, students should NEVER be required to
participate nor limited to reading only the books on the list” (Crow, 2010).
Make Books Available
Three copies of each book are made available in the
library, clearly marked, and displayed in a designated
area for easy access.
Book Talks
Over the first few weeks of school I will stagger book talks of
each title among the 9 classrooms invited to participate in the
program (3 each of grades 4-6) on each group’s library day.
Hopefully 3-4 books each class until all books have been
introduced.

Will use a combination of existing book trailers, short readings

from books, my commentary (having read each title), and will
direct students to the official website offering more details on
titles. https://massachusettschildrensbookaward.blogspot.com/

Bookmarks with titles will be readily available for students to

use and mark books they plan to read or have read.
Outreach and Collaboration
Meet with school principal at the beginning of school year to introduce program,
highlight benefits, and ask for support.

Coordinate with PTA president to request support either in funding (purchase

additional books) or co-hosting a literacy event promoting independent reading
(and the MCBA) such as a read-a-thon or author visit.

Meet with grade-level classroom teachers to introduce book list, encourage

participation, provide support in promoting the program to their students.

Email and present to all staff an overview of the program and encourage all staff to
work with the book list.
Sharing and Talking about Books
Existing curricular projects have the potential to support the program. While not
required, students are encouraged to highlight MCBA books while completing:

● Book reviews posted to Follett Destiny - grade 5

● Book Trailers created using iMovie - grade 6
● Persuasive Book Advertisements - grade 8 (a project with the ELA teacher)
Sources

American Association of School Librarians.(2011). Position statement on the school librarian’s role in reading. Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/resources/statements/reading-role

Crow, S. R. (2010). Children’s Choice Book Award Programs: Effective Weapons in the Battle to Get and Keep Kids Reading.
School Library Monthly, 26(6), 12–13. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.unk.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=502991478&site=ehost-live

Seagrave, J. R. (2004). Young Readers’ Choice Awards Across America. Public Libraries, 43(3), 171–176. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.unk.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=502928401&site=ehost-live

Sommers, K. (1995). And the winner is . . . children’s choice book awards. School Library Monthly, 11, 28. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.unk.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=502830069&site=ehost-live