"Coast to Coast: Exploring State Book Awards" provides a comprehensive body of information about state book award programs: who gives the award, the purpose of the award, the nomination criteria, who votes, what wins, who they impact, and what they mean. The awards are examined as a whole and individually, with special focus on their value to teachers and librarians.

Interviews with authors, publishers, booksellers, and award program coordinators augment the award descriptions, illustrating what being an award winner means personally and professionally. Intended to go beyond a mere...