The M. Jerry Weiss Award

The M. Jerry Weiss Book Award was established in 1994 by the New Jersey Reading Association to honor Dr. M. Jerry Weiss, distinguished service professor at New Jersey City University and nationally known advocate of children’s literature.

Continuing this legacy, the New Jersey Literacy Association and the West Jersey Reading Council now collaborate to present this award, affectionately known as “The Jerry."

Three awards are given in the following Pre-K through Grade 6 categories: picture book, chapter book/novel, and graphic novel.

Award Criteria

Must be published no more than five years before the award is presented
Provides an opportunity for dialogue between diverse populations of students, teachers, and families
Sparks imagination and/or critical thinking and helps students activate or sustain their love of reading
The author of the book must be able to accept the award virtually at the awards presentation

The committee welcomes nominations within a variety of genres that consider diverse viewpoints, equitable representation reflective of New Jersey communities, effectiveness of expression, and imagination.

Nominate A Book

You must be a member of either the West Jersey Reading Council or the New Jersey Literacy Association in order to nominate a book.

Nominations will be accepted until October 24, 2022.

Nominate

West Jersey Reading Council

The M. Jerry Weiss Award

Award Criteria

Nominate A Book

Recent Award Winners

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