South Carolina Book Awards Criteria for Selection of Consideration Books

Criteria for Selection

Titles to be considered are nominated primarily by members of the Book Award Committees, but nominations are sought from anyone interested in encouraging students to read. Students, teachers, media specialists, and parents are encouraged to submit titles for consideration to the Book Awards Board Representative. Authors and publishers may not submit titles for consideration.

1. Books may be fiction of nonfiction and must be original works - no retellings.
2. No Newbery or Caldecott Award winners will be considered. Honor books may be considered.
3. The books should have good literary qualities (plot, characterization, narration, style, etc.) Titles should reflect a balance in terms of genre.
4. Only books by authors residing in the United States at the time of nomination are eligible.
5. Books included on each list should have appropriate reviews for the specified grades and interest level. It is recommended that age of characters be a consideration, especially in regard to teenagers which generally begins at the high end of the Junior Book category.
6. Books under consideration must be listed in the most current edition of Books in Print and have a copyright date of the present calendar year or one of the three preceding years.
7. Each title on the consideration list must have at least two positive reviews from reputable reviewing sources.
8. Only one title by an author will be included each year on each book award final list. There will be a three-year wait for an author's book to appear on any nominee list after that author has won any two South Carolina Book Awards.
9. Every book need not be judged appropriate for each grade level, but books will be included for grade 4K-2 (Picture); 3-6 (Children's); 6-8 (Junior) and 9-12 (Young Adult).