Great Stone Face Children's Reading Program
The Great Stone Face Children's Book Award was established in 1980 and is named for a natural rock formation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire commonly know as the The Old Man of the Mountain. The award is sponsored by CHILIS (Children's Librarians of New Hampshire), a section of the New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA). The award is given annually to an author whose book receives the most votes from third through sixth graders throughout the state.
The purpose of the award is to promote reading enjoyment among New Hampshire's third through sixth graders, to increase awareness of quality contemporary writing, and to allow children a chance to honor a favorite author.
Each year a committee promotes a list of 25 recently published titles, which children then use as a guide for voting. Voting takes place in April during National Library Week, and the winner is announced in May. Winning authors receive a hand-cut crystal etched with the Great Stone Face design by master craftsman, Pepi Herrmann.
PAST WINNERS OF THE GREAT STONE FACE AWARD
1996 The Giver Lois Lowry
1995 Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus Barbara Park
1994 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher Bruce Coville
1993 Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
1992 Number the Stars Lois Lowry
1991 Secret of the Indian Lynne Reid Banks
1990 Matilda Roald Dahl
1988-89 Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls
1984-87 Superfudge Judy Blume
1983 Mouse and the Motorcycle Beverly Cleary
1982 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume
1981 Superfudge Judy Blume
1980 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret Judy Blume