The Indian Paintbrush Book Award is jointly sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association (Children’s/YA Section and the School Library/Media Personnel Section) and the Wyoming State Literacy Association. 

The Wyoming Library Association established this award in 1985 to promote literacy and encourage conversations around quality literature among Wyoming youth.

Voting

Wyoming fourth, fifth, and sixth graders are encouraged to read or listen to as many of the nominated books as possible (a minimum of three) and vote for their favorite. Librarians, teachers, and parents are encouraged to promote these titles and read some of the books aloud to their students.

Books on the list will be accessible to students with a range of reading abilities, and will represent a diversity of characters and experiences. Each spring the students vote, at school or at the public library, for their favorite book from the list. Sponsoring adults collect and submit the votes online through WYLA.org. The committee announces winning titles through the WLA and Wyoming State Literacy Association listservs. Teachers and librarians also share this information directly with students and patrons.

Nominating Criteria

• Books may be fiction or nonfiction, and in any format (e.g. novel in verse, graphic novel).

• Each book’s U.S. copyright date must be within the past five years.

• Books must be in print at the time of nomination. 

• Books must be nominated by Wyoming students in grades 4-6. 

• Only one title per author will be included on the nominations list. 

• No author can be on the list for two consecutive years. 

• No title can be on the nominees list more than once.

The Indian Paintbrush Book Award Committee begins compiling a list of nominations in January and reads as many of the nominated titles as possible. The committee meets in April to finalize a list of 10 titles. This list becomes the ballot for the next school year, and is shared widely with teachers and librarians.

1.  Book meets all nominating criteria for award.

2.  Committee takes into account the number of individual and school nominations a book receives state-wide.

3.  Committee members use professional knowledge of children’s literature to determine the value a book will add to the list. 

4.  Book must have at least two published reviews, or be considered on its own merit if a book is of local interest or by a Wyoming author.

5.  Books in a series may be considered if it’s the first in a series, or if the title stands alone.

6.  Books should be designated by publishers or in reviews as appropriate for middle-grade readers (not YA).

7.  If possible, at least 50% of nominees should be available in paperback.

8.  Committee will consider representing a variety of genres and a diversity of experiences in terms of gender, socioeconomic status, race, etc. when building the list of nominated titles.

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