The Nutmeg Book Award is Connecticut’s children’s choice award, where students in grades 2-12 read from a curated list of ten titles per grade band and vote for their favorite. This “recipe” is a complete guide for teachers, librarians, and parents to run a successful Nutmeg Book Award program, from forming a committee to celebrating the winner.
Ingredients
- 1 committed coordinator (teacher, librarian, or parent volunteer)
- 1 committee of 5-10 members (staff and/or students)
- 1 copy of each of the 10 Nutmeg Book Award nominees for your grade band (Elementary: Grades 2-3, Intermediate: Grades 4-6, Teen: Grades 7-12)
- 1 classroom set or library copies of each nominee (enough for all participating students)
- 1 voting ballot per student (paper or digital)
- 1 official Nutmeg Book Award logo (for display and certificates)
- 1 celebration kit (snacks, decorations, certificates)
- 1 reading log per student (optional)
- 1 display area (bulletin board, table, or shelf)
Instructions
- Form your committee. Recruit a small team of teachers, librarians, and/or students to help manage the program. Assign roles: coordinator, display designer, voting officer, and celebration planner.
- Get the books. Order or borrow the official Nutmeg Book Award nominees for your grade band. Check with your school or public library for availability; many libraries have multiple copies on hand. If budget is a concern, apply for a grant or ask the PTO/PTA for funding.
- Set a timeline. The program typically runs from September to April. Decide when students will start reading and when voting will take place (usually in April). Mark the voting deadline on your calendar and work backward to plan reading time.
- Introduce the program. Kick off in September with a display of all ten nominees. Give a brief book talk on each title to generate interest. Hand out reading logs and explain the voting rules: students must read at least three of the ten books to be eligible to vote (though many read more).
- Encourage reading. Schedule regular check-ins, such as weekly book discussions or “book tastings” where students sample the first chapter of each nominee. Create a friendly competition between classes or grades to see which can read the most titles.
- Track progress. Use a large wall chart or digital tracker to show which books have been read by how many students. This builds excitement and helps students discover new titles.
- Hold the vote. In April, hold a formal vote. Use paper ballots or an online form (like Google Forms). Remind students that they can only vote if they have read at least three nominees. Count the ballots carefully—this is the official vote that will be reported to the Nutmeg committee.
- Report the results. After counting, submit your school’s results to the official Nutmeg Book Award website (the coordinator should have the login details). This is crucial for the state-wide tally.
- Celebrate the winner. Once the state winner is announced (usually in May), host a celebration. Announce the winner at a school assembly or library event. Give out certificates and small prizes (like bookmarks or stickers) to all participants. Display the winning book prominently.
Tips
- Start early. Books can be in high demand, so order them well before September. If you’re short on copies, consider using audiobooks or e-books.
- Make it social. Students are more likely to read if they can talk about the books. Start a lunchtime book club or use a class discussion board.
- Don’t force it. While reading all ten is great, the program is designed so students can read as many as they like. The minimum of three keeps the vote meaningful without being overwhelming.
- Use the official resources. The Nutmeg Book Award website provides discussion guides, bookmarks, and activity sheets for each nominee. Take advantage of these free materials.
Serving Suggestions
This program is best served as a year-long side dish to your regular curriculum. It works wonderfully as a school-wide initiative, a library program, or a classroom activity. Pair it with author visits (virtual or in-person), book fairs, and literacy nights. It’s also a great way to introduce students to the state’s literary community and to encourage independent reading.
Variations
- Multi-Grade Bands: If you have a K-8 school, you can run all three grade bands simultaneously. Each band has its own list and voting, but you can combine celebrations.
- Digital Program: Use a learning management system (like Google Classroom) to host discussions, track reading, and even vote. This is especially useful for remote or hybrid learning.
- Student-Led: For older students (Teen band), let them take the lead. They can create their own discussion groups, design the display, and even run the voting process themselves.
- Community Involvement: Partner with your local public library to offer the program to homeschoolers or as a summer reading follow-up.
Storage and Reheating
This program is best enjoyed fresh, but you can “store” your materials for next year. Keep your reading logs, ballots, and celebration ideas in a folder or digital drive. The books can be returned to the library or stored for next year’s program. If you want to “reheat” the excitement, consider a mid-year “book buzz” event to re-engage students who may have lost momentum. The program can be repeated annually, and it’s a good idea to save your notes on what worked well and what didn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books must a student read to vote? The official rule is that students must read at least three of the ten nominees to be eligible to vote. However, many students read more, and you can encourage them to read as many as possible.
Can we vote for a book we didn’t read? No, students should only vote for books they have actually read. This ensures the vote reflects genuine student preference, which is the whole point of the award.
What if we can’t get all ten books? Try your best, but don’t stress. You can use interlibrary loan, e-books, or even audiobooks. If you’re still short, you can still run the program with the books you have—just make sure students read at least three of the available titles.
How do we submit our votes? The coordinator will need to create an account on the official Nutmeg Book Award website and enter the results after the school’s vote. The website provides clear instructions and deadlines.
Can we run the program for just one grade? Absolutely. While the program is designed for grade bands, you can adapt it to a single classroom or grade level. Just make sure you use the correct list for that age group.
What happens if a student reads all ten? Celebrate them! You could give a special certificate or a small prize. These students are the true Nutmeg champions, and they deserve recognition.
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