Join the Fun: Encourage Young Readers to Participate in the Land of Enchantment Book Awards!
The Land of Enchantment Book Awards is a fantastic opportunity for New Mexico students to celebrate their love of reading and share their opinions on their favorite books. This annual children’s and teen’s choice award is open to all students across the state, offering four categories tailored to different reading levels and ages. By participating, kids can discover new stories, connect with their peers over shared interests, and have their voices heard. Public libraries play a key role in bringing this program to life. Here’s how your library can get involved and help inspire a new generation of enthusiastic readers.
How It Works
Students can read books from the nominated list for their reading level and vote for their favorites in April and May. The specific voting dates will be announced soon. Libraries can make the voting process fun and engaging by setting up ballot boxes and providing printed ballots for children to fill out and return. Parents can also participate by filling out a ballot on behalf of their child if needed. School and public librarians, teachers, and homeschool parents will collect the completed ballots and submit the votes online using a provided form.
Categories and Nominees
The Land of Enchantment Book Awards includes four categories based on ages. Click here for a printable list of the 2024-2025 nominees. A selection of nominees are now available from the New Mexico State Library Delivery Service exclusively for public libraries while supplies last. Click here to check our schedule page and find out when the Delivery Service will be in your area.
Roadrunner (Ages 5 and up)
- Can You Dance Like a Peacock? written by Rekha S. Rajan, illustrated by Hannah Abbo
- Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia written by Jenny Liao, illustrated by Dream Chen
- Friday Night Wrestle Fest written by J.F. Fox, illustrated by Micah Player
- The Girl who Built an Ocean written by Jess Keating, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter
- Kick Push written and illustrated by Frank Morrison
- Mel Fell written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
- Only a Trenza Away written by Nadine Fonseca, illustrated by Camila Carrossine
- Papa’s Magical Water-Jug Clock written by Jesus Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz
- Somewhere in the Bayou written and illustrated by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey
Coyote (Ages 8 and up)
- Blue by Nana Ekua Brew Hammond, illustrated by Daniel Minter
- Saving Chupie by Amparo Ortiz, illustrated by Ronnie Vazquez
- Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Dan Santat
- Welcome to Feral by Matt Fearing
- Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade
- Rhinos in Nebraska by Alison Pearce Stevens, illustrated by Matt Huynh
- Shine On, Luz Veliz by Rebecca Balcarcel
- Stuntboy in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raul the Third
Lizard (Ages 12 and up)
- Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson
- Hoops by Matt Tavares
- Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell
- Mexikid by Pedro Martin
- Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
- The Paper Daughters of China Town (adapted for young readers) by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill
- A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
- Virtually Me by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown
Black Bear (Ages 15 and up)
- The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
- Breath and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester
- Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds by Camilo Moncada Lozano
- Fatima Tate Takes the Cake by Khadijah VanBrakle
- I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
- I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
- Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp
- Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti
- True or False: A CIA Analyst’s Guide to Spotting Fake News by Cindy L. Otis
- Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, and Dawud Anyabwile
How Libraries Can Get Involved
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Promote the Awards: Share information about the Land of Enchantment Book Awards through flyers, social media, and newsletters.
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Host Reading Challenges: Encourage students to read as many nominated books as possible before voting begins.
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Set Up Ballot Boxes: Create a designated space in your library for kids to cast their votes. Use colorful decorations to make it inviting.
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Provide Resources for Parents: Share printable ballots and instructions for those who may need assistance. Bookmark ballots are available for free to download from Canva:
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Submit Votes Online: Collect completed ballots and enter the results through the official online form. For more information about voting, click here to go to the Voting page on the LOE website.
Why Participate?
By providing the opportunity to kids to vote for their favorite Land of Enchantment Book Award nominees, your library can:
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Foster a love of reading among children and teens.
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Connect with schools and families in your community.
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Celebrate the joy of books and storytelling.
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Give students a sense of ownership and pride in selecting their favorite books.
Get Started Today!
Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on young readers. Be sure to bookmark the Land of Enchantment Book Award home page for more information and updates. Do you have questions about this program? Email loebookaward@gmail.com. Together, we can spark a lifelong love of reading in New Mexico’s children!