Young Hoosier Book Award Program

Off to a Flying Start

by Cheryl Backherms

East Washington Middle School, Perkin

     During the second semester of the 2007-2008 school year, we began participating in the Young Hoosier Book Award reading program. Since we have grades five through eight in our building, we are eligible to include books from both the intermediate and middle grades categories.  However, dealing with so many titles complicates our record keeping.  Last year we tried our own system, designing a chart to track the students’ progress.  This year, we discovered that using charts from the Indiana Library Federation simplified the task.  All we had to do was add student names and book titles.

         We have a special display of Young Hoosier books and placed the charts on the door near the circulation desk.  The charts have been an additional advertisement for the YHBA selections.  Charting the readers’ progress encourages friendly competition among students and serves as a strong incentive to read.  The best recommendations for a book usually come from other students.  Friends will often choose the same book to read at the same time, discovering how enjoyable it is to share the reading experience.

     Last year we filled our single chart and were pleased to have 17 students qualify for our breakfast Voting Party, where they feasted on donuts, milk, and juice.  These students each read at least five books from one of the categories.  We have already surpassed last year’s numbers.  More charts will be added soon, and the entire display will be moved to a wall.l.

      There’s no doubt that the Young Hoosier Book Award books are a big hit at East Washington Middle School.