The M. Jerry Weiss Award - Nomination Form
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE BOOK(S) TODAY! 
Use this form to submit your nomination for the M. Jerry Weiss Award.
Nominations will be accepted until January 24, 2026.

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.”

Recent Award Winners:

Picture Book: Ben and the Amazing Animal Adventure by Denise Ammeraal Furlong and Sarah Szamreta Tang

Chapter Book : Two Degrees by Alan Gratz

Graphic Novel: When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson


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Award Criteria

  • The book must be published no more than five years before the award is presented.

  • The book provides an opportunity for dialogue between diverse populations of students, teachers, and families.

  • The book sparks imagination and/or critical thinking and helps students activate or sustain their love of reading.

  • Awards are given in the following Pre-K through Grade 6 categories:

    • Picture Book

    • Chapter Book/Novel

    • Graphic Novel

  • 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. 

Select the organization in which you are a member. (You must be a member of either the West Jersey Reading Council or the New Jersey Literacy Association in order to nominate a book.) *
Select the Pre-K through Grade 6 category in which the book fits best.
Clear selection
What is the name of the book?
Who is the author of the book?
Who is the illustrator (if any) for the book?
Briefly state (in one or two sentences) why this book deserves to win the award.
A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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