2023 Middle School 7-8 Nutmeg Book Award Student Reader Application
Each year, two or three students are chosen out of all the applicants from around the state to be members of the Middle School 7-8 Nutmeg Book Award Selection Committee. Serving on this committee is a challenging yet rewarding experience for the student readers and it is a privilege to be chosen. You get to do  one of your favorite things (read!), then discuss the books with others who love to read as much as you do. Before you make a decision about applying, however, there are several things that you and your parents need to take into consideration.

*You need to currently be in 8th or 9th grade.

*Serving on this committee is a huge commitment. The Middle School Committee will read about 80 books (target audience grades 7-8). The Selection Chairperson compiles lists of 20-40 books and sends committee members the first list sometime in January or February. From the day you receive that first list you will be reading on the average of two books a week until October. That means 350 to 400+ pages a week for 38 to 40 weeks.

*Committee members are responsible for obtaining their own copies of the books. Most committee members rely largely on libraries: your local library, those in nearby towns and through the interlibrary loan service that is available in every Connecticut library.

*As a committee member you will be expected to read all the books on the lists, whether they suit your tastes or not. This can be difficult. If you do not like a book right at the start you must at least give it a good try.

*Four to five meetings (the number is determined by the chair) are held during the selection process. The Chairperson selects the sites, dates and times of the meetings. Meetings are usually on a weeknight or Sunday afternoon/evening and most meetings run for two hours.  Depending on where you live, it could be a short or long drive (committee members are from all over the state). It will be up to your parents to see that you attend these meetings. If you are unable to attend you must let the Chairperson know and also submit your preferences from the current list, with reasons for your choices. However, please know attendance is an important part of the Selection Committee process. Students should plan to attend all of the meetings.

*At the meetings the merits of each book are discussed. Lively debate is part of the process. It helps if you are comfortable talking about books in a room with about 13 adults (and only 1 other student).

*To help with this discussion and to keep meetings moving along, members are encouraged to participate in online discussions (possibly via a private wiki site, google site, Goodreads group, Facebook group, etc.) throughout the reading process.

*If you are unable to keep up with the reading, are absent from more than 2 meetings or not participating in the on-line discussions, you may be asked to leave the committee.

*At the last meeting in November, the committee stays until the final ten books are chosen, along with alternate titles. It is the most important meeting and usually the longest (and the committee usually sends out for pizza!).

The librarians and teachers on the committee are devoted to helping young people like you to connect with quality fiction. If you have participated in the Nutmeg program in the past, you realize that the books you help to select will be read by many students across the state of Connecticut. You will express ideas and opinions that are your own and will make a valuable contribution to the selection of Nutmeg nominees.

Taking into account all the above information, you and your parents can decide if you are up to the challenge. The fact that you are even considering it is a tribute to your reading ability and maturity.

Applications are due by November 15, 2020

If you have any questions, please contact:
Lisa Polack lpolack@ellingtonschools.net  Nutmeg Book Award Secretary
Alessandra Petrino apetrino@westonct.gov 2021 Nutmeg Book Award Steering Co-Chair
Sara Bartelmo  sbartelmo@WestHartfordCT.gov  2021 Nutmeg Book Award Steering Co-Chair
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Part One: Basic Information
First and Last Name *
Mailing Address *
Personal email address (Not school email) *
Please note: School email addresses often won't allow emails to be received from outside email addresses. Use a personal email for either yourself or a parent. The email address you provide should be one that is checked frequently.
Phone Number *
Parent(s) Name(s) *
School Name & Town *
What grade are you in? *
Occasionally, it is easier to meet via Google Hangout or other video conferencing sites (especially if we get a lot of snow). How comfortable are you with this option? *
Required
If chosen to participate on this committee, do you have the time to commit to the amount of reading  necessary to fully participate? Please consider other commitments such as sports or other extracurricular activities. *
Part 2: Essays
Please answer these essays completely yet concisely. If it helps, you may want to type these essays using a word processing program like Word or Google Docs. Then after you have edited and revised the essays, copy and paste them into this form. We are looking for essays that demonstrate a high level of reading (at the appropriate level) and quality writing. Please make sure you use correct spelling and grammar.
1. Name one book you've read and loved that you think should be a Middle School Nutmeg nominee. After a very brief description of the plot, tell what it is about the book that you enjoyed and why it would be a great nominee. Please be specific and don't include a book that's already been nominated. *
Keep in mind that to be nominated, a book must have: a) a well-constructed plot and defined story structure b) strong characterization c) striking language d) vivid setting e) appeal for readers in grades 7-8.
2. Please answer the following questions in one page or less: Which genres do you read for pleasure? What do you find particularly interesting about those genres? *
3. Why would you like to serve on this committee? *
4. When you are given your list of books to read for the committee, how will you go about locating copies so you can read them? *
Part Three: Teacher Recommendations
Please ask a teacher or librarian to complete the recommendation form on your behalf. The form is located on the Nutmeg Website https://www.nutmegaward.org/about/committee-applications
 and must be completed by November 15th or your application will be considered incomplete.
Name of teacher or librarian who will be completing the recommendation form. *
Contact information for person writing recommendation #1 *
email address and/or phone number
Optional: Name of second teacher or librarian who will be submitting the recommendation form
Part Four: Parent Permission
Students, please make sure you have permission from your parent(s). They need to read the information at the top of this application and understand the commitment involved in your participation on the Nutmeg Book Award Selection Committee.
Contact information for person writing recommendation #2
email address and/or phone number
please check below *
Required
Thank you!
Members of  the Nutmeg Book Selection Committees are volunteers and filling out this form does not guarantee a position on a committee. We will respond to everyone one way or another before the new year.


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