The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award is presented annually to the author and/or illustrator of the book voted as favorite by students in Kindergarten through Grade Three in participating Illinois schools or public libraries. The Monarch Award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA).

Western Avenue School Grades Kindergarten - 3rd participate in the Illinois Monarch Award vote. The students look forward each year to hearing the stories and then voting for their favorite; then wait anxiously for votes to be counted for Western Avenue School favorite, the district favorite and the top selection for the State of Illinois. 

For list of past nominees go to 

Monarch Award

The Bluestem award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles. 

Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists.

For list of past nominees go to

These 20 books are selected by the public and school librarians of Geneva. Any elementary school student in grades 4 and 5 within the Geneva Community School District is eligible to participate in this award program.

Students who have read 3 selections are eligible to vote for their favorite Young Viking Award nominee.

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades five through eight in participating Illinois schools. Be aware of the reading level and content for these books as they span a wide range of grade levels. 

The Rebecca Caudill books in Western's library have been screened by the librarian and the fifth grade teachers and deemed appropriate for fifth grade students.  Only fifth graders are allowed to check these books out from the library.

For list of past nominees go to