The Iowa Teen Award is unique in that it gives students an opportunity to choose the book to receive the award and to suggest books for the yearly reading list.

Book Criteria

• Eligible works must be published for young adults within two years of the list year. (If a list will be released in 2021, then books will be copyright year 19& 20)

• Works may be fiction or nonfiction and should represent a wide range of subjects and reading levels.

• Fifteen works from fifteen different authors will be selected.

• A variety of genres will be selected to as a great extent as is practical.

• Books should be written predominately in English and currently in print.

• Works selected will appeal to readers of any gender and to the range of readers in grades 6-9.  

• Works must have at least one positive review from a major library reviewing periodical.

• Series books are accepted if they can stand alone. 

• Graphic novels are accepted.

• Works NOT considered for inclusion on the list include:

  • Newbery Winners (although Honor Books are eligible)

  • Books which have appeared on previous IASL Book Awards Lists

Process for Nominations

• In March, teens across Iowa take part in nomination of books for the Iowa Teen Award.  Votes and nominees for the next year's list are due by March 30th. 

• These books are then reviewed by the ITA committee and volunteer readers until the list is narrowed.

• During the summer, the adult readers read and rate the titles. The summer read list is issued by the end of May.  

• Ratings of summer reading list are due by the beginning of September of each school year. 

• The committee members finalize the list and provide it prior to the end of the school year prior to the competition. For example, the 2019-20 nominee list will be made available prior to the end of the 2018-2019 school year.