Monarch Award facts for kids

The Monarch Award is a special prize for books chosen by young readers in Illinois, USA. It was started in 2003 by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA). This award helps kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade discover new books. It also helps them learn about authors and illustrators. The award encourages children to think carefully about what they read. It also helps everyone in Illinois know about great books for children.

The award is named after the Monarch butterfly. This butterfly was chosen because it represents growth, change, and freedom. It also helps students learn about Illinois' state insect.

How the Monarch Award Works

The Monarch Award is given out every year. It started in 2005. Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade in Illinois vote for their favorite book. The award goes to one author or illustrator.

A special committee helps choose the books. They ask librarians, teachers, and even students for ideas. Then, a group of volunteers reads many books. They create a list of 20 top books. This list includes different types of children's books. It also has books for various reading levels.

The list of 20 books includes:

• Picture books
• Easy readers
• Chapter books

Students vote for their favorite book in February each year. The winner is announced the next month, in March.

What Makes a Book Eligible?

For a book to be considered for the Monarch Award, it must meet certain rules:

• The person suggesting the book must have read it.
• The book must have been published in the last five years.
• It must still be available to buy.
• The author or illustrator must be alive when the list is made.
• The book must be interesting for kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
• It needs to be a good quality book.
• It can be a fiction story or a nonfiction book (about real facts).
• A book or series cannot be on the list two years in a row.
• If a book in a series has won, other books in that series cannot be chosen for five years.
• The book cannot be a textbook, a collection of stories (anthology), a translated book, a toy, a puzzle, a pop-up book, or a book that follows a very strict pattern (formula fiction).

Monarch Award Winners

The table below shows the winners and other top books. Winners are highlighted in yellow.