Maud Hart Lovelace was a beloved Minnesota author born in Mankato at the end of the 19th century.  Her Betsy and Tacy series began in 1940 and continued with a new book almost every year until 1955.  The Minnesota Youth Reading Awards honors Maud Hart Lovelace by creating a children's book award whose annual recipient is chosen  specifically by children.

 

Every year, Minnesota children cast a vote for their favorite book from a list of titles nominated for the Maud Hart Lovelace Award.  In order to be eligible to vote, children must have either read or listened to at least three books from the nominees list.  Voting takes place during the month of March with the winner being announced on the actual birthdate of Maud Hart Lovelace (April 25).

 

Selected by the MHL Selection Comittee, the nomination criteria includes :