The California Young Reader Medal program encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of our state. Since its inception in 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal.

Young people suggest the names of favorite books for nomination, or teachers and librarians note repeatedly read or requested titles, and these are submitted to the California Young Reader Medal Committee. Members of the committee read the suggested books, discuss their merits and appeal to children, and then decide upon a well-balanced list of nominees.

Carmel Creek students are read nominated books from the appropriate category in the media center. 

Students must be exposed to all the books in a category before they can vote.  Students are exposed to the nominated books from January through March and vote for their favorite in the library before April 1.