The Young Adult Book Award is presented by the Keystone State Reading Association to a book suitable for students at the middle level.  This book is chosen by students in Pennsylvania as their favorite book from a list of nominations published by the KSRA Young Adult Book Committee.

The goal of the Young Adult Book Award Committee is to encourage the reading of a variety of high quality trade books by young adults in middle school.

Books included on the list of nominations must meet the following criteria:

The books considered for the list must have been published within the last two years.

The books on the list should represent a diversity of human experiences and genres of literature, and should include both fiction and non-fiction selections.

The committee encourages consideration of Pennsylvania authors and illustrators for inclusion on the list.

Caldecott and Newbery award winning books should not appear on the list, but honor books may be considered for inclusion.

Authors whose books previously have been selected to receive the Young Adult Book Award are eligible for future lists.  Titles previously on the list will not appear.

2008 Theme: Challenges 

The Keystone State Reading Association Young Adult Book Award program encourages reading of a variety of high quality trade books by young adults in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. In order for students to participate in selecting the 2008 award winner, their teachers must follow these directions:

1. Teachers must submit the Intent to Participate form below by November 1, 2008.

    A reproducible ballot can be found online, YABA seals will be mailed upon request.

2. Teachers must be members of KSRA and a local or statewide special interest

    council to participate.

3. The school or classroom must have access to at least six books from the current

    list in order to participate.

4. Students must read four of these books in order to vote.

5. Completed ballots must be postmarked by March 15, 2009, and returned to the

    chairperson listed below.

6. Any questions about the award or participating in selecting the award should be

    directed to Co-chair June Shultz, jls@epix.net. Please return completed form to

    June Shultz, 34 Oak View Drive, Strasburg, PA 17579, by Nov. 1, 2008.