The Young Readers Choice Award

The Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award was established in 1940 to promote reading for enjoyment. Children and young adults of Alberta, Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington select the winners from nominees submitted by librarians, teachers, students and others. Books must be published within the previous 3 years to be eligible. The Junior Division (formerly "Youth Division") goes to a book for grades 4-6. The Intermediate Division: grades 7-9. Senior Division: grades 9-12.

2007 Junior Winner

Dragon Rider Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

Powells.com Staff Pick
Since I found Funke's work two years ago, she has become one of my favorite children's fantasy writers. Her award-winning debut novel (in English translation), The Thief Lord, was followed by Inkheart and even a children's picture book, Princess Knight — each story very different but equally very good. One reason: Cornelia Funke never talks down to her target audience, using agile language and a breadth of vocabulary (a success partly due to her excellent translator). Dragon Rider is no exception to the rule — it's a fast and exceptionally fun read, and comes highly recommended by both my son and me. Carla, Powells.com (read more)

2007 Intermediate Winner

The Supernaturalist The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer

Publisher Comments
In the not-too-distant future, in a place called Satellite City, thirteen-year-old Cosmo Hill is unfortunate enough to come into the world unwanted by his parents. And so, as are all orphaned boys his age, Cosmo is dipped in a vaccine vat and sent to the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys — freight class. (read more)

2007 Senior Winner

A Hat Full of Sky A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

Powells.com Staff Pick
This is a wonderful fantasy full of wit, witches, and suspense. Written by the well-known author of the Discworld series, A Hat Full of Sky follows the marvelous We Free Men but stands well on its own. So sit back and enjoy this great summer read. Richard, Powells.com (read more)

2006
Junior: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Intermediate:  Eragon: Inheritance, Book 1 by Christopher Paolini
Senior: Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going
2005
Junior: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Intermediate:  Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Senior: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
2004
Junior: Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac
Intermediate:  Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Senior: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
2003
Junior: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Intermediate:  No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
Senior: Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
2002
Junior: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Intermediate:  Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer
Senior: Rewind by William Sleator
2001
Youth: Holes by Louis Sachar
Senior: The Boxes by William Sleator
2000
Youth: A Mouse Called Wolf by Dick King-Smith
Senior: The Taking of Room 114 by Mel Glenn
1999
Youth: Frindle by Andrew Clements
Senior: SOS Titanic by Eve Bunting
1998
Youth: Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar
Senior: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
1997
Youth: Nasty Stinky Sneakers by Eve Bunting
Senior: Driver's Ed by Caroline B. Cooney
1996
Youth: The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Senior: The Giver by Lois Lowry
1995
Youth: Terror at the Zoo by Peg Kehret
Senior: Who Killed My Daughter? by Lois Duncan
1994
Youth: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Senior: Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi
1993
Youth: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Senior: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
1992
Youth: Danger in Quicksand Swamp by Bill Wallace
Senior: Eva by Peter Dickinson
1991
Youth: Ten Kids, No Pets by Ann M. Martin
Senior: Sex Education by Jenny Davis

1990 There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar
1989 Wait Till Helen Comes A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn
1988 Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You by Barthe DeClements
1987 The War With Grandpa by Robert Smith
1986 The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
1985 Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie Gilson
1984 Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
1983 Superfudge by Judy Blume
1982 Bunnicula A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe
1981 Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood by Ellen Conford
1980 Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary
1979 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Call by Mildred Taylor
1978 The Great Brain Does It Again by John D. Fitzgerald
1977 Blubber by Judy Blume
1976 The Great Brain Reforms by John D. Fitzgerald
1975 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
1974 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
1973 No Award
1972 Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace by Donald J. Sobol
1971 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
1970 Smoke by William Corbin
1969 Henry Reed's Baby-Sitting Service by Keith Robertson
1968 The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
1967 Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang by Ian Fleming
1966 Rascal by Sterling North
1965 John F. Kennedy and PT-109 by Richard Tregaskis
1964 The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
1963 Danny Dunn on the Ocean Floor by Jay Williams
1962 The Swamp Fox of the Revolution by Stewart Holbrook
1961 Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine by Jay Williams
1960 Henry and the Paper Route by Beverly Cleary
1959 Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
1958 Golden Mare by William Corbin
1957 Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary
1956 Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars by Ellen MacGregor
1953 - 1955 No Awards
1952 Sea Star by Marguerite Henry
1951 King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
1950 McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss
1949 Cowboy Boots by Shannon Garst
1948 The Black Stallion Returns by Walter Farley
1947 Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
1946 The Return of Silver Chief by Jack O'Brien
1945 Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
1944 The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
1943 Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight
1942 By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
1941 Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
1940 Paul Bunyan Swings His Axe by Dell J. McCormick