California Young Reader Medal

California Young Reader Medal

The HERC Library at the Humboldt County Office of Education has some exciting news: local students can help choose the winner of a major California book award—the California Young Reader Medal! This is the 50th anniversary of this California program that encourages love of reading!

HCOE’s HERC library wants to help your students determine the winner of a prestigious California book prize: the California Young Reader Medal. Teachers read book nominations during read-alouds, students determine their favorite, and then vote.

HERC Library supplies the books, plus classroom-ready activities to engage students in fun ways to review and vote! This is a rare and fun opportunity where young readers get the final say, not adults.

Track the local Humboldt County polls as students cast their votes! Then, wait for the big reveal on May 1st to see if you picked a winner! All votes are due by April 1, 2026.

Whether you love adventures, laugh-out-loud comedies, graphic novels, or stories that make you think, there’s something for everyone. So dive into great books, gather your students’ voices, and be part of a reading celebration that stretches across the state.

Voting Update – Primary Books (Grades K-3)

Votes as of Oct. 1, 2025

Endlessly Ever After
34
Creepy Crayon
42
Eyebrows of Doom
14
A Letter for Bob
8
Yefferson, Actually
2

Voting Update – Picture Books for Older Readers – 4th Grade and Up

Votes as of Sept. 12, 2025

The Great Stink
4
Let Liberty Rise!
6
Listen
2

See some student responses!

Kit Contents

Each kit for K-3 and Picture Books for Older Readers includes: One copy of each book, one ballot box, ballots, and “I Voted” stickers. 

Intermediate kits are sent one book at a time, and include the ballots and “I Voted stickers.”