Youth Book Awards

The Ladybug Picture Book Award is designed to promote early literacy and honor the best in recent children’s picture books. Librarians from around the state select 9 picture book titles (as of 2024) each spring. Then, during November, New Hampshire children from preschoolers to those in third grade choose the award winner. The winning picture book is announced at the end of the year.

The Great Stone Face Book Award is given annually to an author whose book receives the most votes from 4th through 6th graders throughout the state. In April, New Hampshire children vote for their favorite book from a list of 20 recently-published titles that are chosen by the Great Stone Face (GSF) Committee. The purpose of the award is to promote reading enjoyment, to increase awareness of contemporary writing, and to allow children to honor their favorite authors.

The Isinglass Award promotes teen reading by inviting teens to help select great literature. Each year, 7th and 8th graders across New Hampshire nominate their favorite books and vote on the top ten in April.

The Isinglass Award was begun in 2001 by the Barrington Public Library and the Barrington Middle School in order to promote teen reading, the participation of teens in the creation of their own reading list, and to honor those authors whose works speak to youth. The award is now open to all New Hampshire students

The Flume Award promotes teen reading by inviting teens to help select great literature. Each year, 9th through 12th graders across New Hampshire nominate their favorite books and vote on the top ten in April.

The Flume Award was created in 2005 in response to a New Hampshire teen’s request to have a book award geared towards high school students. This award is a state-wide venture led by a collaborative effort from school and public librarians. Each year teens nominate titles, published within the last two years, they think deserve to be recognized. Librarians narrow the group of titles to a shorter list. Teens then vote for the winning title from that list.