Kids’ Choice Book Awards at Saint Paul Public Library

For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrea McKennan
651-266-7022
andrea.mckennan@ci.stpaul.mn.us

SAINT PAUL – The Saint Paul Public Library is celebrating the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards, a series of book awards decided by kids in grades K-8. Now through April, the library will host celebratory activities including a bookmark design contest, author visit, voting stations, and more.

Every year the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards publishes a list of books and asks kids to vote for their favorites during the month of March. Now through April, the Saint Paul Public Library will be offering fun activities based on these awards, which are divided into three age groups - The Star of the North Award for grades K-2 and The Maud Hart Lovelace Awards: Division I for grades 3-5 and Division II for grades 6-8.

Be part of the action:

Book Club
Maud Hart Lovelace book club meets the first Saturday of every month 1:30-2:30 p.m., at the Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W Minnehaha Ave, 651-642-0293.

Book Ratings
Search our catalog for the Minnesota Youth Reading Awards books that you've read and give them a rating. Let's see how they rank.

Bookmark Design Contest
Design a bookmark promoting your favorite Minnesota Youth Reading Award book. Winners will receive a $40 gift card to Wet Paint or Red Balloon Bookshop, and will have their artwork made into real bookmarks and distributed throughout Saint Paul! Contest runs January 1 - March 15 and is open to kids in grades K-8. Pick up an application form at your nearest library, or download it here.

Author Visit
Meet John Coy, author of Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball. Discover how he creates his books in this kid-friendly, interactive program. John's book is nominated for a Star of the North Award. Monday, February 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Pkwy, 651-695-3700.

Voting
Every Saint Paul Public Public Library location will have voting boxes during the month of March. Stop by and vote for your favorite books!

Final Party
Join us for a final party to celebrate the book winners and learn about next year's nominees. Bookmark winners will also be announced here. Sunday, April 26, 2-4 p.m., George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th St, 651-266-7034.

To see a list of nominated books, visit sppl.org/kidvote

About Saint Paul Public Library
Saint Paul Public Library connects people in Saint Paul with the imperative and the joy of learning through a lifetime. Saint Paul residents can enjoy free access to technology, books, movies, music, classes and more. We’re located in 12 neighborhood libraries, George Latimer Central Library, and the Bookmobile. Visit us in your neighborhood or online at sppl.org.