Rebecca Caudill time at Grayslake’s Frederick School

Students at Frederick School in Grayslake have started the academic year’s Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award program.

An author receives the annual Caudill Award if his or her book is voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill, who lived and wrote in Urbana for nearly 50 years.

Officials said the award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books, which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults.

As for the program, it’s designed to encourage children and young adults to read for personal satisfaction. It also is meant to develop a statewide awareness of outstanding literature for children and to promote a desire for literacy.

Frederick School pupils who read or hear three or more of this year’s 20 book nominees will be encouraged to vote for their favorite tome.

Students who vote in February and read or hear 10 or more of this year’s nominees will be invited to the after-school Rebecca Caudill celebration on March 19.

About 70 Frederick pupils read more than nine books from the list in 2012. As part of last year’s Rebecca Caudill celebration, Frederick School teacher/librarian Robert Depke volunteered to allow students to cut his hair.