Voting for the 2009 Children’s Choice Book Awards is taking place now through May 3.

When I read kid-lit, I often wonder what kids think of the books, how their reading experiences differ from my own. The fact that kids’ books are written by adults, published by adults, reviewed by adults, given awards by adults, and selected for kids by adults is problematic, to say the least. Here is a chance for kids to speak their minds, and I, for one, am eager to hear what they have to say.

This year’s finalists were chosen by nearly 15,000 kids and teens. Kids everywhere can now cast votes for their favorites at bookstores, schools, libraries, and online.

Voting takes place in six categories:

• Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Book of the Year
• 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year
• 5th to 6th Grade Book of the Year
• Teen Choice Book Award
• Author of the Year
• Illustrator of the Year

Winners will be announced live at the Children’s Choice Book Awards gala on May 12 in New York City as part of Children’s Book Week, May 11-17, 2009.

Hmm…I wonder if I can send hand-stitched bookmarks for the winners. Ooooo, I like that idea!

A list of finalists can be found here on the Children’s Book Council Web site, and voting takes place here.

Encourage the young people around you to read the book finalists and vote. I want to hear what they have to say.