BPS Reader Awards
Show-Me Readers Award Nominees
The state of Missouri offers readers of various ages the opportunity to recognize outstanding authors and illustrators. For students in grades 1-3 the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) sponsors the Show-Me Readers Award. The purpose of the Show-Me Readers award is to promote literature, literacy, and reading in Missouri elementary schools and to promote recognition of authors and illustrators of books that are favorites of Missouri children in these grades.
Students will read at least six different books from the nominated list during library time between October and February. In February students will have the opportunity to vote on which title they feel is the best. Those votes will be tallied and sent in with votes from across the state with winners announced at the end of April. This is a great opportunity for our students to evaluate literature and recognize outstanding authors and illustrators.
And the Nominees for 2025-2026 are . . .
The Mighty McKraken
written by Izzy B
illustrated by Ben Askew
The World's Best Class Plant
written by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick
illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
The Three Little Guinea Pigs
written by Erica S Perl
illustrated by Amy Young
Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions
written by Darhana Khiani
illustrated by Dow Phumirk
Cooler Than Lemonade
written by Harshita Herath
illustrated by Chloe Burgett
Seals are Jerks
written & illustrated by Jared Chapman
The Kitten Story: A Mostly True Tale
written by Emily Jenkins
illustrated by Brittany Circhese
How This Book Got Red
written by Margaret Chiu Greanias
illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Basketball Dreams
written by Chris Paul
illustrated by Courtney Lovett
We Don't Lose our Class Goldfish
written & illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Building Block Picture Book Nominees
The Missouri Library Association seeks to encourage reading aloud to our youngest readers across the state by annually offering the Missouri Building Block Award. This award is given to the author and illustrator of the picture book chosen by PK-K students as being their favorite.
Students will read at least six different books from the nominated list during library time between September and December. In December students will have the opportunity to vote on which title they feel is the best. Those votes will be tallied and sent in with votes from across the state with winners announced at the end of January. This is a great opportunity for our students to evaluate literature and recognize outstanding authors and illustrators.