
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.
PAST WINNERS
Year Title Author
2018-2019 The Trail Meika Hashimoto
2017-2018 Ghosts Raina Telgemeier
2016-2017 Roller Girl Victoria Jamieson
2015-2016 El Deafo Cece Bell
2014-2015 Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Chris Grabenstein
2013-2014 Buddy M.H. Herlong
2012-2013 Wonder R.J. Palacio
2011-2012 Big Nate: In a Class by Himself Lincoln Peirce
2010-2011 Murder at Midnight Avi
2009-2010 Swindle Gordon Korman
2008-2009 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal Jeff Kinney
2007-2008 Rules Cynthia Lord
2006-2007 The Ghost’s Grave Peg Kehret
2005-2006 The Legend of Spud Murphy Eoin Colfer
2004-2005 City of Ember Jeanne DuPrau
2003-2004 Loser Jerry Spinelli
2002-2003 Love that Dog Sharon Creech
2001-2002 Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo
2000-2001 Among the Hidden Margaret Peterson Haddix
1999-2000 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone J. K. Rowling
1998-1999 101 Ways to Bug Your Parents Lee Wardlaw
1997-1998 Frindle Andrew Clements
1996-1997 Math Curse Jon Scieszka
1995-1996 The Giver Lois Lowry
1994-1995 Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus Barbara Park
1993-1994 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher Bruce Coville
1992-1993 Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
1991-1992 Number the Stars Lois Lowry
1990-1991 The Secret of the Indian Lynne Reid Banks
1989-1990 Matilda Roald Dahl
1988-1989 Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls
1983-1988 Superfudge Judy Blume
1982-1983 The Mouse and the Motorcycle Beverly Cleary
1981-1982 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume
1980-1981 Superfudge Judy Blume
1979-1980 Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret Judy Blume