YRCA was established in 1940 to promote reading for enjoyment. The idea originated with a Seattle bookseller, Harry Hartman, in 1938. Hartman knew the value of reading and wanted to involve young people in choosing their favorite titles. Eventually, YRCA nominees were divided into three groups: Junior Division for graders 4th through 6th, Middle Division for graders 7th through 9th, and Senior Division for graders 10th through 12th.
Every year, students, teachers, and librarians in the Pacific Northwest take part in selecting books from two countries (USA and Canada) for the oldest children’s award nominations.
More on the YRCA web site

This year nominees: (Ballot)

JUNIOR DIVISION (Grades 4-6)

THE CANDY SHOP WAR by Brandon Mull
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: GREG HEFFLEY’S JOURNAL by Jeff Kinney
ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis
IGRAINE THE BRAVE by Cornelia Funke
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick
MARLEY: A DOG LIKE NO OTHER by John Grogan
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY by Trenton Lee Stewart
NO TALKING by Andrew Clements

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (Grades 7-9)

THE ALCHEMYST: THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL by Michael Scott
BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS by Shannon Hale
ZEN AND THE ART OF FAKING IT by Jordan Sonnenblick
PEAK by Roland Smith
THE PLAIN JANES by Cecil Castellucci
SCHOOLED by Gordon Korman
THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY by Adam Rex
SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy

SENIOR DIVISION (Grades 10-12)

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie
THE CITY OF BONES by Cassandra Clare
DEADLINE by Chris Crutcher
DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
ENTER THREE WITCHES: A STORY OF MACBETH by Caroline B. Cooney
MISTIK LAKE by Martha Brooks
TWISTED by Laurie Halse Anderson
WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr

Past winners:

2009

Junior: THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo
Intermediate: THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS: A FABLE by John Boyne
Senior: NEW MOON: A NOVEL by Stephenie Meyer

2008

Junior: A DOG’S LIFE by Ann M. Martin
Intermediate: THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan
Senior: PEACHES by Jodi Lynn Anderson

2007

Junior: DRAGON RIDER by Cornelia Funke
Intermediate: SUPERNATURALIST by Eoin Colfer
Senior: A HAT FULL OF SKY by Terry Pratchett

2006

Junior: THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo
Intermediate: ERAGON by Christopher Paolini
Senior: FAT KID RULES THE WORLD by K. L. Going

2005

Junior: THE THIEF LORD by Corneila Funke
Intermediate: SON OF THE MOB by Gordon Korman
Senior: THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION by Nancy Farmer

2004

Junior: SKELETON MAN by Joseph Bruchac
Intermediate: ARTEMIS FOWL by Eoin Colfer
Senior: THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Ann Brashares

2003

Junior: BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo
Intermediate: NO MORE DEAD DOGS by Gordon Korman
Senior: HOPE WAS HERE by Joan Bauer

2002

Junior: BUD, NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis
Intermediate: MARRY, BLOODY MARY by Carolyn Meyer
Senior: REWIND by William Sleator

2001

Junior: HOLES by Louis Sachar
Senior: THE BOXES by William Sleator

2000

Youth: A MOUSE CALLED WOLF by Dick King-Smith
Senior: THE TAKING OF ROOM 114 by Mel Glenn

More winners on the YRCA web site