It’s an exciting day in the Illinois Youth Librarian World: the winners of the 2022 Illinois Book Award lists have been announced!
There are four Illinois Book Awards: The Monarch (grades K-3), the Bluestem (grades 3-5), the Rebecca Caudill (grades 4-8), and the Abe Lincoln Award (grades 9-12; these titles will be located upstairs in our Teen section). Each year, a committee for each award puts together a list of titles that are popular and important for children in that age range. The suggested books for the year are released in spring the previous year. Students can then read the titles on the list that corresponds to their grade, and in spring of the award year, they can vote for their favorite!
So, without further ado…here are the winners of the Monarch, Bluestem, and Caudill Awards, as chosen by students this year!
*drumroll please*
The 2022 Monarch Award Winner:
Potato Pants by Laurie Keller
This one is a staff favorite here at AAPLD. Miss Lauren in Youth Services is a HUGE fan.
Description:
Potato is very excited to buy a pair of pants on sale at Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants Store, but when he sees Eggplant, who pushed him the day before, he is afraid to go in.
Get ready to laugh your pants off with this hilarious tale of vegetable shenanigans.
The 2022 Bluestem Award Winner:
Does it Fart by Nick Caruso and Dani Rabaiotti, illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths
Description:
An illustrated guide to whether or not various animals pass gas, infused with humor and scientific facts.
I mean, who doesn’t love a book about farts? Get your giggles in while learning fascinating facts about flatulence.
The 2022 Rebecca Caudill Award Winner:
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Description:
Twelve-year-old Coyote and her father rush to Poplin Springs, Washington, in their old school bus to save a memory box buried in a park that will soon be demolished.
Do you want to feel ALL OF THE FEELINGS?! Then please, read this book. Dan Gemeinhart is a master of thoughtful and moving middle grade novels, and this book is spectacular. Have your tissues handy! *sniffle*
We hope you will check out all of the above titles, and the rest of the fantastic books on the 2022 lists! Information on the 2023 nominees will be coming soon. You can find out more about the 2022 nominees and our IBA Patch Club here.