The Great Stone Face Book Award

The Great Stone Face Book Award is given annually to an author whose book receives the most votes from 4th through 6th graders throughout the state. In April, N.H. children vote for their favorite book from a list of 20 recently-published titles that are chosen by the Great Stone Face (GSF) Committee. The purpose of the award is to promote reading enjoyment, to increase awareness of contemporary writing, and to allow children to honor their favorite authors.

For more information, the mission statement and selection criteria are available, and you can learn more about the GSF Committee if you are interested in joining.

The winner of the 2020 Great Stone Face Award was New Kid by Jerry Craft. Click here to find out the year’s full voting tally and what other titles were popular.

Nominees and Voting Materials

Click here to see the 2020-2021 selections.

The Great Stone Face Committee has created booktalks for each of the 2020-2021 nominees, which can be used or adapted. Click here for the booktalk text. You can also find videos for the booktalks here.

Since we are not sharing physical materials at this time, brochures and bookmarks will be made available at a later date.

Tips and Information for Teachers and Librarians

This information is intended to answer some of the questions that have been asked by public/school librarians and teachers, and to pass on some ideas that might help you to promote the GSF list in your library.

You do not have to purchase all 20 titles. Purchase what you can afford or what you want in your library. Check with your local public library, which may have titles that you do not have, and encourage your students to visit their public library.
Children should read the titles that are appropriate for their grade level or reading level.
The GSF titles have recommended grade levels. Since children read at varying levels, purchase titles that you feel the children can and will read.
Create an eye-catching display in your library and promote the contest throughout the school year. Put up a GSF poster near the GSF books display along with the GSF bookmarks.
Have a special “Voting Day” at your school or public library during National Library Week in April.
Have a “Battle of the Books” contest (by grade level) at your school. The grade that has the most students reading a GSF title wins the contest.
Chart the number of students who have read a GSF book and display it in your library or the classroom. When students see what other students are reading, it may encourage them to read another book on the list.
Encourage teachers to read a book in the classroom.
Use the GSF titles as part of your school’s summer reading list. Work with your public library to incorporate books for summer reading.
For public librarians: Contact your school librarians and encourage them to participate. Let them know which titles you have available for check out at your library. Arrange to visit the schools and do some booktalks.
For school librarians and teachers: Booktalk the titles to the students. A booktalk will entice children to read the book.
All GSF voting links, bookmarks, book talks and other information can be found on the CLNH website.
Try not to make reading the GSF books an assignment. The object is to promote recreational reading.