Gateway Readers Awards

MASL sponsors four children to young adult choice book awards, the Show Me Readers Award, the Mark Twain Award, the Gateway Readers Award, and the Truman Readers Award. The winner of the Gateway Readers Award is selected by students in grades nine through twelve.

VISION:

Because reading is the gateway to knowledge and lifelong learning, because the teen years are the gateway to adulthood, and because Missouri was the gateway to the Old West, the Gateway Readers Award is for authors of books chosen by high school students in Missouri.

Librarians serving young adults in school and public libraries recognize the need for books written for this audience. We know that the quality of this writing is an imperative so that, as adults, our patrons will continue to seek knowledge and recreation through well-written books.

GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING BOOKS:

1. Books should interest teenagers in grades nine through twelve.
2. Books should be written by an author living in the United States.
3. Books should be of literary value which may enrich teenager's personal lives.
4. Books should be published two years prior to nomination on a Master List of 15 Nominees.
5. Some consideraton should be given to genre diversity, gender representation, range of reading level (avoiding elementary levels), racial diversity, and diversity of social, political, economic, and religious viewpoints. Books should be appropriate for teenagers.

Click here to recommend a book for the Gateway Readers Award.

For a complete listing of current Gateway Committee members, click here.

GOALS:

1. To encourage Missouri young adults in grades 9 through 12 to select and read quality literature that appeals to their needs, interests and reading levels.
2. To recognize and honor outstanding works in young adult literature.
3. To develop a cooperative relationship among schools, libraries and teens.
4. To encourage the development of school and public library services to teens.

WHO MAY VOTE:

Missouri students in grades nine through twelve are eligible to vote for their favorite book if they have read at least THREE of the titles on the current master list.

VOTING:

In March, students will vote for the book they liked best. Schools will design their own ballots and each student will get one vote. Votes are tallied by each school and placed on a tally sheet which can be downloaded here (available during voting only.) The results from the tally sheet should be entered into the online voting system.

All votes must be entered by Midnight on March 11, 2008.

Mailed or faxed entries will NOT be accepted.

PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Many of the titles on the Gateway Master List are available in audio or Braille format to eligible students.For information, contact Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Missouri State Information Center, 600 West Main, PO Box 387, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0387. E-mail: wolfner@sos.mo.gov. Telephone (573) 751-8720 or toll-free (800) 392-2614.

Disclaimer: The Missouri Association of School Librarians does not endorse nor recommend any blog discussions relating to books that are on the reading lists for the Gateway, Mark Twain, Show Me, or Truman Reading Incentive Programs.