Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award references 20 books assigned across applicable K-12 grade levels in US schools. The Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award is Arkansas's statewide student-choice reading program, presented annually since 1971 to an author whose book is selected by a vote of Arkansas school children in grades four, five, and six. Administered through the Arkansas State Library with the Arkansas Literacy Association, it honors Arkansas author Charlie May Simon and carries one of the longest unbroken winner records of any state award — from Striped Ice Cream! and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing through Shiloh, Number the Stars, Frindle, Because of Winn-Dixie, Wonder, The Crossover, Restart, and New Kid.

Primary source: library.arkansas.gov

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20 books referenced

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About this curriculum framework

This curriculum is one of dozens of named English Language Arts frameworks tracked across US public-school districts. Frameworks differ in scope (district-level vs state-level vs national), in mandate (required vs recommended vs elective), and in how prescriptive their reading lists are (single fixed text list vs broad reading-pool selection).

The book list below represents titles cited as required, recommended, or commonly assigned within this framework, sourced from the framework's primary documentation (or, where the framework is administered at district level, from public district curriculum pages). Each book's detail page links the specific source document for that citation.

How to use this Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award reading list

The book list above represents titles ReadingList has confirmed as referenced by Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award— either through the framework’s own published documentation, through audited classroom syllabi citing the framework, or through US state and district curriculum guides that map their reading expectations to it. Each book’s detail page links the specific primary source so parents, teachers, and students can verify the citation and locate the official document.

Reading lists evolve. Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award citations on ReadingList are reviewed on a rolling basis as primary sources publish updates. If you teach or learn under this framework and a title on this page is no longer used (or you know of one that should appear), the ReadingList methodology page explains how to submit a correction with a citation.

Frequently asked questions

What books does Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award include?

20 books are referenced by Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award across applicable K-12 grade levels. Each book page cites the primary source assignment (the official curriculum standard, exemplar list, or syllabus where the title appears).

What grades does Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award cover?

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award is a reading-program curriculum spanning applicable K-12 grade levels via the standards framework. Browse by grade using the grade-filter links on this page or visit /grade for the full grade index across all curricula.

Where does Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award data come from?

Primary source: library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/. Cross-referenced with Common Core exemplars at achievethecore.org. Every book page on ReadingList.school cites the standards origin for that assignment.

Is Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award required reading?

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award provides recommended exemplars + assignments — adoption varies by district and teacher. Always check with your school's English department for the specific required vs recommended list at your grade level.