California Young Reader Medal Program Announces 2025-26 Book Nominations

January 31, 2025

 [San Jose, CA] - California’s longstanding student-choice award program for children’s literature announced the 2025-26 nominees at the annual conference for the state’s school library staff. The California Young Reader Medal (CYRM), now in its 50th year, encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of our state. Students read the books and then vote on their favorites, with the final date to submit voting on April 1, 2026.

Read the full press release here.

California Young Reader Medal Program Announces 2024 Book Nominations

[Costa Mesa, CA] - California’s longstanding student-choice award program for children’s literature announced the 2024-25 nominees today. The California Young Reader Medal (CYRM), now in its 50the year, encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of our state.

Read the full press release here.

Upcoming Conferences and Award Ceremonies for 2023-2024

California Reading Association (CRA)

• Together in Person - Together in Literacy

• Date: October 20-21, 2023

• Location: Ventura County Office of Education, Camarillo 

• The California Reading Association will honor CYRM Young Adult winner, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

California School Library Association (CSLA)

• Date: January 25-28, 2023

• Location: The Hilton Orange County, Costa Mesa

• California School Library Association: CSLA will honor two categories: CYRM Middle School/Jr High winner, Winterhouse by Ben Guterson and illustrated by Chloe Bristol; and Picture Book for Older Readers winner, This Way, Charlie, written by Caron Lewis and illustrated by Charles Santoso

California Teachers’ of English (CATE)

• Date: March 1-3, 2024

• Location: Hyatt Regency, LAX

• California Teachers of English will honor the CYRM Intermediate winner, The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

California Library Association (CLA)

• October 17-19, 2024

• Location: Pasadena, California

• California Library Association will honor 2023 CYRM Primary winner, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins