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The Nutmeg Book Award
Established in 1991, the annual Nutmeg Book Award encourages all Connecticut children in grades 4-8 to read great books and vote for their favorite from a list of nominated titles. Jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians, the Nutmeg Committee is comprised of children's librarians, school library media specialists and student representatives. They read hundreds of books to come up with the two lists which are fairly balanced by gender, reading level, and genre. Books must also meet certain criteria to be considered for the award. These include: being fiction, with appeal for readers in grades 4-6 (intermediate) or 7-8 (teen); copyrighted in the United States and first published no more than five years from date of selection; currently in print, and available in paperback; and, obviously, well-written.
We encourage all our students in Grades 4 through six to read as many of these books as possible. Voting takes place in late January. You need not read all ten titles to vote for the best book. The book that Chester students select as the best is announced on the day our students vote. Their ballot totals are sent to the to the state Nutmeg Committee to be tabulated with all the other Connecticut student ballots. The state winner is announced in early February.
Nutmeg Book Nominees for 2013
Baseball Great by Tim Green
All twelve-year-old Josh wants to do is play baseball but when his father,
a minor league pitcher, signs him up for a youth championship team,
Josh finds himself embroiled in a situation with potentially illegal consequences.
Listen to an audiobook excerpt!
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.
Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari
In 1942, an eleven-year-old girl who longs to be a pilot and her family try to manage their lives in Rhode Island when the father goes to fight in World War II.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick - Click on Book Cover to see Homer P. Figg Book Trailer
Twelve-year-old Homer, a poor but clever orphan, has extraordinary adventures after running away from his evil uncle to rescue his brother, who has been sold into service in the Civil War.
My Life As a Book by Janet Tashjian
Dubbed a "reluctant reader" by his teacher, twelve-year-old Derek spends summer vacation learning important lessons even though he does not complete his summer reading list.
The Potato Chip Puzzles by Eric Berlin
Winston and his friends enter an all-day puzzle contest to win fifty thousand dollars for their school, but they must also figure out who is trying to keep them from winning. Puzzles for the reader to solve are included throughout the text.
Powerless by Matthew Cody - Click on Book Cover to see Powerless Book Trailer
Moving into a new neighborhood can be difficult, especially when the neighbors share a secret: they have super powers! Daniel learns that his new friends will lose their powers when they turn thirteen and agrees to use his own power, detective work, to figure out what is causing the superpowers to vanish.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz - Click on Book Cover to see A Tale Dark and Grimm Book Trailer
Once upon a time... Hansel and Gretel decided to escape from their own fairy tale and jump into other classic Grimm inspired tales. As the siblings wander through the land of Grimm, they encounter talking trees and a forest brimming with menacing foes. They will learn the true story behind the bread crumbs, munch edible houses, and outwit some witches!
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Minli leaves her impoverished parents to talk to the Old Man of the Moon about improving their fortune. Her journey requires the help of many fantastical creatures, including a dragon and a talking fish. Stories from her father weave through the journey and help her reach the Old Man's Never-Ending Mountain.
The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Newton Fusco
In a 1930s Massachusetts farm town torn by the Depression, racial tension, and other hardships, Charlie Anne and her black next-door neighbor Phoebe form a friendship that begins to transform their community.
