California Young Reader Medal Nominees (2023-2024)

The California Young Reader Medal awards are a collaboration between the California Reading Association (CRA), the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE), California Library Association (CLA), and the California School Library Association (CSLA).

In general, nominees must have been published within the past four years by a living author.

2023-2024 Nominees: Primary (Grades K-2)

TitleAuthor/IllustratorPub YearBuy Now
“Chez Bob”Bob Shea2021Hardcover
“The Littlest Yak”Lu Fraser / Kate Hindley2020Hardcover
“Negative Cat”Sophie Blackall2021Hardcover
“The Scarecrow”Beth Ferry / The Fan Brothers2019Hardcover
“Someone Builds the Dream”Lisa Wheeler / Loren Long2021Hardcover

2023-2024 Nominees: Intermediate (Grades 3-5)

TitleAuthor/IllustratorPub YearBuy Now
“Across the Desert”Dusti Bowling2021Hardcover
“A Game of Fox and Squirrels”Jenn Reese2020Hardcover
“We’re Not From Here”Geoff Rodney2021Hardcover

2023-2024 Nominees: Middle School/Junior High

TitleAuthorPub YearBuy Now
“Alone”Megan E. Freeman2021Hardcover
“Amari and the Night Brothers”B.B. Alston2021Hardcover
“The Elephant in the Room”Holly Goldberg Sloan2021Hardcover

2023-2024 Nominees: Young Adult (Grades 9-12)

TitleAuthor/IllustratorPub YearBuy Now
“Elatsoe”Darcie Little Badger / Rovina Cat2020Hardcover
“I’m Not Dying With You Tonight”Kimberly Jones & Gilly Segal2019Hardcover
“Where I Belong”Marcia Argueta Mickelson2021Hardcover

2023-2024 Nominees: Picture Books for Older Readers (Grades 4 and up)

TitleAuthor/IllustratorPub YearBuy Now
“Bartali’s Bicycle”Megan Hoyt / Iacopo Bruno2021Hardcover
“The Elephants Come Home”Kim Tomsic / Hadley Hooper2021Hardcover
“Nicky & Vera”Peter Sis2021Hardcover

CYRM Medal Nominees and Winners List (including Historical)

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