The Mark Twain Readers Award, or simply Mark Twain Award, is a

children's A child () is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The term may also refer to an unborn human being. In English-speaking countries, the legal definition of ''child ...

book award which annually recognizes one book selected by vote of

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

schoolchildren from a list prepared by librarians and volunteer readers. It is now one of four Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Readers Awards and is associated with school grades 4 to 6; the other MASL Readers Awards were inaugurated from 1995 to 2009 and are associated with grades K–3, 6–8, 9–12 and nonfiction. The 1970

Newbery Medal The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contr ...

winning book '' Sounder'', by William H. Armstrong, was the inaugural winner of the Mark Twain Award in 1972. Peg Kehret has won the Mark Twain Award four times, once in 1999 for '' Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio'', a memoir of her childhood, and three times in six years from 2007 to 2012 for novels.

Nomination guidelines

* Books should interest children in grades four through six. * Books should be an original work written by an author living in the United States. * Books should be of literary value which may enrich children's personal lives. * Books should be published two years prior to nomination on a master list of twelve nominees.

Voting process

Though the list of nominated books is designated for grades four through six, any student can vote for the winner so long as they satisfy the following criteria: * Book must have been read by voter. * Voter must have read at least four books from the list of nominees. * Voter can only vote once. Schools design their own ballots. Individual votes for each school (or qualified group) are tallied on a single sheet and submitted to the MASL./red

Winners

The award has recognized a single book by a single writer without exception from 1972. * 2024 ''Six Feet Below Zero'' by Ena Joneshttps://maslonline.org/award/readers-award-winners/ * 2023 ''Millionaires for the Month'' by Stacy McAnulty * 2022 ''White Bird: A Wonder Story'' by R.J. Palacio * 2021 ''Blended'' by

Sharon Draper Sharon Mills Draper (born August 21, 1948) is an American children's writer, professional educator, and the 1997 National Teacher of the Year. She is a two-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for books about the young and adolescent Africa ...

* 2020 ''One for Sorrow: a Ghost Story'' by

Mary Downing Hahn Mary Downing Hahn (born December 9, 1937) is an American writer of young adult novels and a former school librarian. She is known for books such as ''Stepping On The Cracks'' and ''Wait Till Helen Comes''. She published her first book in 1979 and ...

* 2019 ''Framed!'' by James Ponti * 2018 ''

The War That Saved My Life ''The War That Saved My Life'', by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, is a 2015 children’s historical novel published by Dial Books for Young Readers. In 2016, it was a Newbery Honor Book and was named to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's ...

'' by

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (born June 24, 1967) is an American children's and young adult book author. In 2016, her children's book '' The War That Saved My Life'' received the Newbery Honor Award and was named to the Bank Street Children's Book ...

* 2017 ''A Million Ways Home'' by Dianna Dorisi-Winget * 2016 '' Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library'' by

Chris Grabenstein Christopher Grabenstein is an American author. He published his first novel in 2005. Since then he has written novels for both adults and children, the latter often with frequent collaborator James Patterson. He graduated from the University of Te ...

* 2015 ''

Wonder Wonder may refer to: Arts and media Film * ''Wonder'' (film), a 2017 drama based on the R. J. Palacio novel * ''The Wonder'' (film), a 2022 drama based on the Emma Donoghue novel * Wonder, a character in the 2006 American family film ''Z ...

'' by R.J. Palacio * 2014 ''

The Unwanteds ''The Unwanteds'' is a dystopian fantasy novel series by Lisa McMann. Plots Book 1: The Unwanteds Every year in Quill there is a tradition of sorting thirteen year olds into three categories: Wanted, Necessary and Unwanted. The strong, ...

'' by Lisa McMann * 2013 '' Out of My Mind'' by

* 2012 ''Runaway Twin'' by Peg Kehret * 2011 ''

Stolen Children The Stolen Generations (also known as Stolen Children) were the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were removed from their families by the Australian federal and state government agencies and church mis ...

'' by Peg Kehret * 2010 ''

Deep and Dark and Dangerous ''Deep and Dark and Dangerous'' is a 2007 children's mystery horror novel written by Mary Downing Hahn. It was first published on May 21, 2007 through Clarion Books and follows a young girl who tries to investigate a torn photograph but gets wra ...

'' by

* 2009 ''

The Sea of Monsters ''The Sea of Monsters'' is an American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology written by Rick Riordan and published in 2006. It is the second novel in the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series and the sequel to ''The Lightning Thi ...

'' by

Rick Riordan Richard Russell Riordan Jr. ( ; born June 5, 1964) is an American author, best known for writing the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million cop ...

* 2008 ''

The Lightning Thief ''The Lightning Thief'' is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first children's novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'', the book was recognized among the ...

'' by

* 2007 '' Abduction!'' by Peg Kehret * 2006 ''

The City of Ember ''The City of Ember'' is a post-apocalyptic novel by American writer Jeanne DuPrau that was published in 2003. The story is set in Ember, an underground city threatened by aging infrastructure and corruption. It follows two young protagonist ...

'' by

Jeanne DuPrau Jeanne DuPrau (born 1944 in San Francisco, California) is an American writer, best known for ''The Books of Ember'', a series of science fiction novels for young people. She lives in Menlo Park, California. Works The Books of Ember * '' The ...

* 2005 ''Wenny Has Wings'' by

Janet Lee Carey Janet Lee Carey (born January 11, 1954) is an American writer of fantasy fiction for children and young adults. Her Wilde Island trilogy—''Dragon’s'' ''Keep'', ''Dragonswood'', and ''In the Time of Dragon Moon—''earned multiple starred re ...

(made into a Japanese movie ''Ano sora wo Oboetaru'') * 2004 ''Zach's Lie'' by

Roland Smith Roland Smith (born November 30, 1951) is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children. Early life and education Roland Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, graduated from Portland State University and, fol ...

* 2003 ''

Because of Winn-Dixie ''Because of Winn-Dixie'' is a 2000 children's novel written by American author Kate DiCamillo. It was adapted as a 2005 family film directed by Wayne Wang, produced by Walden Media and Twentieth Century Fox, and starring AnnaSophia Robb as Op ...

'' by

Kate DiCamillo Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo (born March 25, 1964) is an American author of children's fiction. She has published over 25 novels, including '' Because of Winn-Dixie'' (2000), '' The Tiger Rising'' (2001), '' The Tale of Despereaux'' (2003), '' T ...

* 2002 ''Dork In Disguise'' by Carol Gorman * 2001 ''

Holes A hole is an opening in or through a particular medium, usually a solid body. Holes occur through natural and artificial processes, and may be useful for various purposes, or may represent a problem needing to be addressed in many fields of en ...

'' by

Louis Sachar Louis Sachar ( ; born March 20, 1954) is an American young-adult mystery-comedy author. He is best known for the ''Wayside School (book series), Wayside School'' series and the novel ''Holes (novel), Holes''. ''Holes'' won the 1998 U.S. Nationa ...

* 2000 ''

Saving Shiloh ''Saving Shiloh'' is a 2006 American family drama film directed by Sandy Tung, based on the book of the same name written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It is the third and final film in the trilogy, whose other members are '' Shiloh'' and '' Shilo ...

'' by Phyllis Naylor * 1999 '' Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio'' by Peg Kehret * 1998 ''Titanic Crossing'' by Barbara Williams * 1997 ''Time for Andrew'' by

* 1996 ''Ghosts of Mercy Manor'' by

Betty Ren Wright Betty Ren Wright (June 15, 1927 – December 31, 2013) was an American writer of children's fiction including '' Christina's Ghost'', '' The Dollhouse Murders'', ''The Ghosts Of Mercy Manor'' and ''A Ghost in The House''. Background Wright li ...

* 1995 '' The Man Who Loved Clowns'' by June Rae Wood * 1994 '' Shiloh'' by Phyllis Naylor * 1993 ''

Maniac Magee ''Maniac Magee'' is a novel written by American author Jerry Spinelli and published in 1990. Exploring themes of racism and inequality, it follows the story of an orphan boy looking for a home in the fictional town of Two Mills. Two Mills is h ...

'' by

Jerry Spinelli Jerry Spinelli (born February 1, 1941) is an American writer of children's novels that feature adolescence and early adulthood. His novels include ''Maniac Magee'', '' Stargirl'', and '' Wringer''. Biography Spinelli was born in Norristown, ...

* 1992 '' The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story'' by

* 1991 '' All About Sam'' by

Lois Lowry Lois Ann Lowry (; née Hammersberg; born March 20, 1937) is an American writer. She is the author of many books for children and young adults, including '' The Giver Quartet'', '' Number the Stars'', the Anastasia series, and '' Rabble Starkey''. ...

* 1990 '' There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom'' by

* 1989 ''Sixth-Grade Sleepover'' by

Eve Bunting Eve Bjørgum Bunting (née Bolton, December 19, 1928 – October 1, 2023), better known as Eve Bunting, was a Northern Irish-born American writer of more than 250 books. Her work covered a broad array of subjects and included fiction and non-fic ...

* 1988 '' Baby-Sitting Is a Dangerous Job'' by

Willo Davis Roberts Willo Davis Roberts (May 29, 1928 – November 19, 2004)"Willo Davis Roberts." ''Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors'', Gale, 2005. ''Gale Literature Resource Center'', link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1000083546/LitRC?u=umuser&sid=summon&xid=576a9948. A ...

* 1987 ''The War with Grandpa'' by

Robert Kimmel Smith Robert Kimmel Smith (July 31, 1930 – April 18, 2020) was an American novelist and children's author. Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York and first learned to read from his mother Sally. Smith was inspired to become a writer at age eight, when h ...

* 1986 '' The Dollhouse Murders'' by

* 1985 ''A Bundle of Sticks'' by Pat Rhoads Mauser * 1984 ''The Secret Life of the Underwear Champ'' by Betty Miles * 1983 ''The Girl with the Silver Eyes'' by

* 1982 ''The Boy Who Saw Bigfoot'' by Marian Place * 1981 ''Soup for President'' by Robert Newton Peck * 1980 ''

The Pinballs ''The Pinballs'' is a 1976 young adult novel by American author Betsy Byars Betsy Byars (née Cromer; August 7, 1928 – February 26, 2020) was an American author of children's books. Her novel '' Summer of the Swans'' won the 1971 Newbery ...

'' by

Betsy Byars Betsy Byars (née Cromer; August 7, 1928 – February 26, 2020) was an American author of children's books. Her novel '' Summer of the Swans'' won the 1971 Newbery Medal.Author's website She has also received a National Book Award for Young Peo ...

* 1979 ''Champion of Merrimack County'' by Roger W. Drury * 1978 ''

Ramona the Brave ''Ramona the Brave'' is a children's novel written by Beverly Cleary. It is the third book in the Ramona series, and follows Ramona Quimby and her classmates (some of them were in her kindergarten class for the previous year) going into first ...

'' by

Beverly Cleary Beverly or Beverley may refer to: Places Australia * Beverley, South Australia, a suburb of Adelaide * Beverley, Western Australia, a town * Shire of Beverley, Western Australia Canada * Beverly, Alberta, a town that amalgamated with the City ...

* 1977 ''The Ghost of Saturday Night'' by

Sid Fleischman Albert Sidney Fleischman (born Avron Zalmon Fleischman; March 16, 1920 – March 17, 2010) was an American people, American author of children's books, screenplays, novels for adults, and nonfiction books about stage magic (illusion), magic. His ...

* 1976 ''The Home Run Trick'' by

Scott Corbett W. Scott Corbett (July 27, 1913 – March 6, 2006) was an American novelist and educator. Beginning in 1950 he wrote five adult novels, then began writing books for children. He retired from teaching in 1965 to write full-time. His best-known bo ...

* 1975 ''

How to Eat Fried Worms ''How to Eat Fried Worms'' is a children's book written by Thomas Rockwell, first published in 1973. The novel's plot involves a boy eating worms as part of a bet. It has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Libra ...

'' by

Thomas Rockwell Thomas Rhodes Rockwell (March 13, 1933 – September 27, 2024) was an American author of children's books, best known for writing ''How to Eat Fried Worms''. Life and career Rockwell was born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1933, the son of the Am ...

* 1974 ''It's a Mile from Here to Glory'' by Robert C. Lee * 1973 ''

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH ''Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH'' is a 1971 children's science fiction/fantasy book by Robert C. O'Brien, with illustrations by Zena Bernstein. The novel was published by the Los Angeles publishing house Atheneum Books. This book was th ...

'' by

Robert C. O'Brien Robert Charles O'Brien Jr. (born June 18, 1966) is an American attorney who was the twenty-seventh United States national security advisor from 2019 to 2021. He was the fourth and final person to hold the position during the first presidency of ...

* 1972 '' Sounder'' by William H. Armstrong

References

{{reflist , refs= "The MASL Readers Awards"
(homepage). Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL). Retrieved 2014-05-05. "Mark Twain Award Previous Winners"
972 to 2010 Retrieved 2014-08-06. "2013–2014 MASL Readers Awards Winners"
MASL. Retrieved 2014-05-05. With tabulated results of four elections. "Mark Twain Award"
{{webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811173740/http://www.mrrl.org/content/mark-twain-award , date=2014-08-11 . Missouri River Regional Library (mrrl.org). Retrieved 2014-08-06. With list of winners 1990 to 2013; lists of nominees with blurbs 2010/11 to 2014/15.

External links

Mark Twain Award winners 1972–
booklist at

WorldCat WorldCat is a union catalog that itemizes the collections of tens of thousands of institutions (mostly libraries), in many countries, that are current or past members of the OCLC global cooperative. It is operated by OCLC, Inc. Many of the O ...

The MASL Readers Awards
– point of entry to all four Missouri School Librarians reader choice book awards Mark Twain Awards American children's literary awards Awards established in 1972 Missouri culture Missouri education-related lists

Nomination guidelines

Voting process

Winners

See also

References

External links