Minnesota Youth Reading Awards

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About MYRA

MYRA's Mission

It is Minnesota Youth Reading Awards' purpose to administer yearly "read and vote" awards programs, providing nominee titles that offer opportunities for Minnesota youth to see themselves and others in the pages, to make new connections, and to engage and enjoy the world of reading. Get in touch with us by using our contact form or email info@myrahome.org

What We Do

Celebrate reading through nominating high-quality youth literature each year
Circulate resources regarding our nominees
Represent literacy educators and librarians at regional conferences and events
Encourage media specialists, librarians, teachers and public librarians to engage with Minnesota readers and the MYRA awards
Facilitate the only student-chosen book award in the state of Minnesota
Plan and host two major events each year - our spring winning nominee and reveal celebration and our fall winning author/illustrator(s) celebration

Our Awards

MYRA currently has two awards for young readers in Minnesota.

Maud Hart Lovelace

Named to honor the classic children's author Maud Hart Lovelace, the MHL award has two divisions. Division I focuses on grades 3-5 and Division II focuses on grades 6-8. Nominees must be works of fiction and not classified as a picture book. Read more →

Star of the North

The SOTN award promotes quality and engaging picture books for our young readers in Minnesota. This award focuses on grades Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade. Parents, educators and librarians are encouraged to read these nominees with their young readers. Read more →

MYRA Board of Directors

MYRA board members are charged with facilitating and organizing all activities of Minnesota Youth Reading Awards, Inc. If you are interested in becoming part of our team or are inquiring about nonprofit documents, please email president@myrahome.org

Matt Schneider, President (president@myrahome.org)
Anne LaLonde Laux, Treasurer (treasurer@myrahome.org)
Vanessa Slavens, Secretary (secretary@myrahome.org)
Katherine Warde, Authors and Awards (authorsawards@myrahome.org)
Julie Kirchner, Events (events@myrahome.org)
Laura Mesjak, Membership (membership@myrahome.org)
Erin Johnson, Promotions (promotions@myrahome.org)
Anna Zbacnik, Maud Hart Lovelace Selection (mhl@myrahome.org)
Laura Given, Star of the North Selection (sotn@myrahome.org)
Kathleen James, Public Library Liaison (library@myrahome.org)
Kari Healy, Voting (voting@myrahome.org)
-VACANT-, Website Administrator (webadmin@myrahome.org)
-VACANT-, Board Member at Large (info@myrahome.org)

Minnesota Youth Reading Awards, Inc. (MYRA)

Our purpose is to administer yearly "read and vote" awards programs, providing nominee titles that offer opportunities for Minnesota youth to see themselves and others in literary works, to make new connections, and to engage and enjoy the world of reading. The Minnesota Youth Reading Awards are 100% volunteer powered.