Prairie Pasque Award

The Pasque Children's Book Award is sponsored by the South Dakota Library Association. Prairie Pasque winners are determined by South Dakota fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. Students are encouraged to read and vote for their one favorite book of the year from the masterlists of fifteen titles. The books receiving the most votes from the students win the awards. A committee of educators and librarians select the books nominated for the awards.

Prairie Pasque Book Award Contest Guidelines

Purpose: To encourage children to become enthusiastic, discriminating readers.

Participating Organizations: South Dakota Library Association (SDLA); Public Library & Trustee Section of SDLA; School Library & Media Section of SDLA; South Dakota Reading Council; South Dakota State Library; South Dakota Elementary School Principals.

Who Can Vote: Any South Dakota student in grades 4-6. To vote, a child must have read or heard at least 5 of the contest books. Each child may vote only once.

Time Period: The book award competition will commence during Children's Book Week in November. Children will read the contest books during November, December, January, February and part of March. Voting will take place the second week in March.

Winner: The book award winner will be announced in April during National Library Week. The author of either the Prairie Bud or Prairie Pasque winning book will be invited to the South Dakota Library Association convention the following fall.

Contest Books:
Contest books must meet these requirements:

1. Contest will be compiled of book titles, not selected authors.
2. Fiction and non-fiction titles may be included.
3. Books must have been published 2-3 years prior to the voting year.
4. Book titles must reflect children's reading choices.
5. T.V. or movie tie-ins will not be allowed.
6. Books must meet regular library selection standards.
7. Books must be chosen because of suitability and overall interest to children.
8. Books must be in print.
9. Books must be written by living American authors.
10. Illustrations must be artistic and suitable.
11. Books may be recommended by teachers and librarians.
12. Books will be appropriate for children in grades 4-6.

2007-2008 Prairie Pasque Award Nominees

South Dakota Prairie Pasque Awards
Past Nominees and Winners