Caudill Program

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The Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award is a state-wide program for students in grades 4 through 8.  Participating schools encourage their students to read at least three books on each year's list of twenty titles.  In February, students vote and a statewide winner is announced in March.  Century Junior High has participated in the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award program since 1998. 

2009 Nominated Titles
Important Caudill Dates 2008-9
Student Registration
What should I do after I register?
When should I report a book?
Why should I participate?
Century Rewards
What are the questions I may be asked?

What are the nominated titles for 2009?

• Alabama Moon by Watt Key
• Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
• Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson
• Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
• Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume
• A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz
• Gossamer by Lois Lowry
• The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
• Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
• Heat by Mike Lupica
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• Letters From Wolfie by Patti Sherlock
• Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin
• Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
• Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park
• Rules by Cynthia Lord
• shug by Jenny Han
• Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver  

 Important Caudill Dates 2008-9 

Registration Due:  September 19
Reporting Begins:  September 22

Read 3 by Feb 25...to vote
Read 5 by June 5...to get your pencil
Read 10 by June 1...to get your bookmarks
Read 15 by the Spring Book Fair (date to be announced)
Read 20 by May 12...to get invited to the pizza party

Student Registration

Interested students can register when their LA class comes to the Media Center for orientation September 2-18. 

The last day to register is Friday, September 19.

What should I do after I register?

Starting September 22, students can report books they have read. 

Read a book on the Caudill list, then come to the Media Center and tell Miss Weinstein or Mrs. Murphy that you would like to report on a book you've read.  You'll pick one question randomly from a stack of 18 questions and tell the answer to Miss Weinstein or Mrs. Murphy.  For each book that you've reported on, you'll get a sticker to put on the charts hanging in the Media Center.  As you reach each of the prize markers, you'll receive your prize.

When should I report a book?

• Before school (after 7:30 am)
• After school (if you are not trying to catch a bus)
• Lunch (stop by the Media Center on your way to lunch, or eat lunch first and ask to come to the Media Center)
• When your class comes for book checkout
• During class (must have a pass from the teacher)

Why should I participate?

• The books are excellent!
• To participate in a statewide program!
• Use your voice to vote for Illinois' favorite book!

Century Rewards

When a student has completed

3 Caudill books...they qualify to vote and receive an eraser topper
5 Caudill books...they receive a Rebecca Caudill pencil
10 Caudill books...they receive 10 personalized bookmarks
15 Caudill books...they receive a $5 gift certificate for the spring Book Fair
20 Caudill books...their name is announced during morning announcements, they are invited to the pizza party in May, and they are included in the group picture which will hang on the wall outside the Media Center
All 20 Caudill books for all three years at Century...they receive a medal at their 8th grade Honors Assembly

Registered Caudill readers must read at least three books by February, but readers may continue reading to earn prizes until the pizza party.

What are the questions I may be asked?

• Name and describe your favorite character?
• Summarize story - beginning, middle, end in 30 seconds.
• What questions are you left with?
• How does the title reflect the story, characters, plot, themes, etc.?
• If you could ask the author any question about the book, what would you ask?
• To whom would you recommend this book to and why?
• What lesson(s) did you learn?
• Do you think this book deserves to win the award?
• Who or what is this story's villain?
• How does the story end?
• What was your favorite part?
• What was your least favorite part?
• What type of conflict exists in the story?
• Where does this story take place?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, rate this book as compared to others you have read.
• How does the cover art reflect the story, characters, plot, themes, etc.?
• Put yourself in a character's shoes.  What would you do in a situation they faced?
• Connect this book to something you know.

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