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West Jersey Reading Council

West Jersey Reading CouncilWest Jersey Reading CouncilWest Jersey Reading Council

The M. Jerry Weiss Award

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 TODAY!

Nominations for 2026 are currently closed. Thank you to those who voted.



About The Jerry

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.

closed

Congratulations to the 2026 M. Jerry Weiss Award Winners

Picture Book: The Humble Pie by Jory John and Pete Oswald

Chapter Book : Into the Rapids by Ann Braden

Graphic Novel: My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee



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.

Recent Award Winners


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