Massachusetts Children's Book Award 2022-2023
Honors books that promote reading for pleasure among students in grades 4-6.
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Nominees 2022-2023
Click the book title of any nominee in the list below to link to the library's catalog. This lets you check if we have the book on the shelf or put a hold on a title you'd like!
Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos (graphic novel)
Twins by Varian Johnson & Shannon Wright (graphic novel)
Black Brother Black Brother by Jewell Parker-Rhodes
I Survived The Nazi Invasion, 1944: A Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis & Alvaro Sarraseca (graphic novel)
Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman
Lemons by Melissa Savage
P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-Roy
Arlo Finch and the Valley of Fire by John August
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliot (nonfiction, graphic novel)
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Isaiah Dunn is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Roll with It by Jamie Sumner
Too Bright To See by Kyle Lukoff
Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia L. Smith
Simon B Rhymin by Dwayne Reed
Float by Laura Martin
Marley Dias Gets it Done by Marley Dias (nonfiction)
Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics by Kate Messner & Falynn Koch (nonfiction)
The official ballot for kids to vote on their favorite nominee will be online beginning April 1, 2023.
The Massachusetts Children's Book Award is sponsored by Salem State University and coordinated by Dr. Cami Condie.
Confronting Racism: A Tween/Teen Book List
This list was created by some wonderful librarians from the Minuteman system and was adapted by Sharon Youth Services to reflect OCLN collections. We’re sharing this list in light of recent events. It is intended to help youth in grades 6-12 process the information and the ongoing protests. There are resources for all races and for those that wish to help. This is intended as an informational source; not all books have been read over by those who created it.
STEAM Challenges, Hands-on Activities & More
Links for STEM Fun at Home
Coupon Follow - Free Resources for Home Learning!
This page is filled with a bunch of arts and crafts activities - and it even has a handful of virtual trips to art museums too! Recommended by young patrons Erin and Trey (thanks for the share, friends!).
America's Test Kitchen - For Kids!
Kid and family-friendly recipes, quizzes, Q&A from professional chefs, and activities that reference art, science, and more.
Do Try This at Home: Guinness World Records
Browse famous records, explore what world records you might be able to break your, get ideas for science experiments, and much more!
Left Brain Craft Brain's Free Boredom Buster Resource
Print directions and lessons for STEAM activities such as Binary Backpack Charm Making and Bridge Building with recyclables! Five themes in all: Explore, Build, Color, Code, and Create.
This initiative offers kids and families opportunities to interact with real working scientists around the world! Sign up through a provided form, get matched with a scientist, and enjoy an awesome Q&A-style chat.
Sign up to participate in a live webcast with a real-life Smithsonian scientist! While waiting for the next live webcast, explore the video webcast archives. You can also send questions in to the scientists. Best for science lovers in grades 3-8.
Access virtual badge activities, programs, and resources for girls and families. These are all Girl Scouts of the USA - Wikipediaavailable to the public—no Girl Scout membership necessary!