Past Winners

• 2009 - pdf brochure
• 2008 - pdf brochure
• 2007 - pdf brochure - Photo of winning author
• 2006 - pdf brochure
• 2005 - pdf brochure
• 2004 - Beginning Reader brochure | Transitional Reader brochure

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Purpose

• To identify and promote the best fiction and nonfiction books published at the K-2nd grade reading level and at the 2nd-4th grade reading level, both for children reading at grade level and for reluctant older readers.
• To provide teachers, librarians, and caregivers with a resource list of excellent books for beginning readers.
• To encourage publishers, authors, and illustrators to create high quality books for beginning readers.

Format

One book will be selected to receive the award in each of the following categories each year:

• Beginning Reader Fiction
• Beginning Reader Nonfiction
• Transitional Fiction
• Transitional Nonfiction

The author of each award-winning book will receive a plaque.

In addition, the committee will generate an honor list that will include approximately 15 titles for each reading level the award covers. Books that the committee feels are especially appropriate for reluctant older readers will be marked as such.

Criteria

The committee will consider the following criteria in judging whether a book is deserving of the award or inclusion on the honor list:

1. Appropriateness for target age group.
2. Overall child appeal.
3. Appropriateness of text to support the needs of beginning readers:
   • Sentence structure
   • Legibility of font
   • Appropriate spacing of text and use of white space
   • Number of words per sentence
   • Appropriateness of vocabulary
4. Presentation of information, including accuracy, clarity, and organization.
5. Literary merit.
6. Quality of illustrations and how they support or extend the text.
7. Visual appeal, including text, layout, and graphic style or design.
8. Delineation of characters and setting
9. Appropriateness of support matter (glossary, pronunciation key, etc)
10. The "total package" or overall spirit of the book.

Not every one of these criteria will apply to every book, but each award-winning and notable book should be found excellent in all aspects pertinent to it. Text and illustrations will be given equal weight.

Eligibility of titles for consideration

1. Nominated titles must have been originally published in the United States, with a copyright date that falls within the year that the committee begins its deliberations. (Example: The 2004 award would consider titles published in 2003.) Books published by a foreign publisher simultaneously in the US and another country will not be eligible.
2. The reading level of the books must be at the K-2 level for the Beginning Reader categories and at the 2nd-4th grade reading level for the Transitional categories. In the event of debate on this point, the SMOG reading level index will be used to determine whether titles fit the requirements.
3. Nominated titles may be geared to children of any age, so long as they meet the reading level criteria listed above. Nominations of books that would appeal to older elementary age reluctant readers are encouraged.
4. Nominated books may be fiction or nonfiction.
5. Nominated titles must be self-contained entities, not dependent upon other media such as CDs or videotapes for their use.
6. Books in series will be considered individually for the award and list.

Nominations process

1. Any Maryland library staff member, MLA member, MEMO member, or MSTA member may make nominations.
2. Nominated titles must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.
3. Nominations must include: title, author, publisher, copyright date, and a supporting statement of no more than 100 words explaining why the title is worthy of consideration.
4. Nomination forms will be available in print and online.
5. The committee will accept nominations from June of the year it begins deliberations until March 1 of the following year. (Example: The 2004 award committee would accept nominations from June 2003-March 1, 2004.)

Award Committee Makeup and Selection

• The committee will be made up of 8 members and a Chair.
• The Chair will be elected by the CSD Steering Committee each year at its January meeting.
• Committee volunteer forms will be made available at Kids are Customers and at MEMO and MSTA conferences to establish a pool of interested volunteers.
• Committee members will serve a 2-year term, and may not serve on concurrent Blue Crab committees (for example, the 2004 award AND the 2005 award).
• Committee makeup should strive to reflect the following:
  • Up to 2 MEMO members
  • Up to 2 MSTA members
  • At least 1 children's materials selector
  • The remaining spots will be filled by MLA members with knowledge of children's books.
  • Geographical diversity within the state
• Committee members may earn 3 CEUs (30 contact hours)

Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award Schedule

June-March: Committee meets to consider nominations and vote on books for the list.
April-May: Final annotated list established. Committee votes on award winners.
June-August: Committee prepares final annotated list.
September: Winners are announced and annotated list distributed at Kids Are Customers.
May: Authors are invited to appear at MLA's Annual Conference.

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2007 Blue Crab Young Reader Award Winner David Bjerklie Time for Kids: Butterflies! Transitional Non-Fiction All 2007 Award Winners 2008 Blue Crab Award winning books will be announced on Thursday, October 16 at Kids are Customers, Too!