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Oregon Reader’s Choice Award

community, engagement, and student voice

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What is ORCA?

  • An exciting way for Oregon youth in grades 3-12 to become enthusiastic and discriminating readers

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  • An opportunity for young readers to participate in a democratic process

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  • An annual award for outstanding middle grade and YA literature

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What is ORCA? (unofficially…)

  • A library programming opportunity

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  • A collection development resource

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  • A reading challenge for more introverted/less competitive young readers (and everyone else)

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How is the list selected?

  • Oregon students, teachers, and librarians may nominate titles

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  • Copyright date must be within two years of award year

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  • Nominations are reviewed by a committee of Oregon librarians, educators, and booksellers to create the final list

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Committee Members 2025-26

  • Ellen Pederson, Portland Public Schools
  • Sara O’Donnell, Ledding Library
  • Jenny Brownfield, Coos Bay Public Library
  • Katrina Bailey, Bend-Lapine School District
  • Deb Henderson, South Lane School District
  • Jill Myers, South Lane School District
  • Kate Coreson, West Linn-Wilsonville School District
  • Melissa Garrett, Oregon Trail Library
  • Veronica Adversalo, Beaverton City Library
  • Lindsay Quigley-Johnson, Creswell Public Library
  • Meagan Looney, Deschutes Public Library
  • Jen Wilson, Coos Bay Public Library
  • Thomas Moll, Gresham-Barlow School District
  • Corrie Medinger, West Linn-Wilsonville School District
  • Jackie Spencer, Lake Oswego Public Library

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How to get involved

  • Collect and submit student votes in spring (March 2026) *If you do nothing else, DO THIS!

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  • Nominate books & help 3rd-12th grade readers share their own nominations (now - Dec. 31) bit.ly/orca2027noms

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  • Openings on ORCA committee next year

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Keep in touch!

  • Announcements in OLA Hotline

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  • Instagram: @orca.award

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  • Email orca@olaweb.org

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  • olaweb.org/orca (new and improved!)

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Congratulations to the 2025 ORCA winners!

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ORCA 2026

nominees

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Elementary

Division

(3rd-5th)

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Middle

Division

(6th-8th)

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High

School

Division

(9th-12th)

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Questions?