Rebecca Caudill Program Rocks at River Valley
by Donna Sifling & Kathy Kelliher
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award is given annually to the author of the book chosen as most outstanding by Illinois students in Grades 4 through 8. The award is named in honor of Illinois author, Rebecca Caudill. River Valley students in Grades 4 and 5 participate annually in this optional literacy program.
River Valley Caudill readers agree to read at least three books from the Caudill book list for that year which are appropriate for their individual grade and/or reading level. Student readers who complete the required readings are then eligible to vote for the best book of the year. Voting takes place in our Learning Resource Center during the last week of February. The total number of votes cast at River Valley for each book is sent to the state Caudill committee which counts the votes statewide. The winner of the Caudill award for each year is announced in mid-March.
This year at River Valley, a total of 147 4th and 5th grade students signed up to read for the Rebecca Caudill program. (Their teachers signed up too, but adults are not allowed to vote in this program. Only student votes count!)
Participation prizes, book stock, and sponsorship of this literacy program are provided by our dedicated District 113A PTA. With their assistance, our River Valley readers broaden their knowledge of books and authors and grow more firm in their conviction that “Reading Rocks!”
