A book award program held at
International School Libraries throughout Japan
Picture Books
2010
Japanese Picture Books 2010
Chapter
Books 2010
Japanese Chapter Books 2010
The Sakura Brainbowl a
competition for readers who want to go the extra mile
Previous
WINNERS
What is the Sakura
Medal?
The Sakura Medal is a library reading program that encourages students to read
books of literary quality. All participating students will be invited to vote for
the book they think should win the Sakura Medal.
How does the program work? How can I participate?
1. In October, the official list of nominated Sakura Medal books for the year is announced by the librarians. Students can now check out a Sakura Medal book from the library. As they are checking out, they also pick up the book's corresponding Sakura Medal Bookmark.
2. Because we expect high demand for these books, your librarians kindly request that students read Sakura Medal books before any other books they may have checked out and return them to the library as soon as possible.
3. After reading the book, students have their Sakura Medal Bookmark signed by their parents or teacher and return it with the book to the library.
4. The librarians will officially stamp your Sakura Medal Bookmark and keep track of your reading progress on the Official Sakura Medal Spreadsheet.
5. Students may add their name to the list under each book on the Sakura display in the elementary Library. They can rate each book they read by giving it a gold (excellent!), silver (good) or blue (not so great) star.
9. All students who have read 5 or more books in one category and turned in their Signed Sakura Medal Bookmarks are invited to the Sakura Medal Voting Day Party in April 2008. Students are awarded one vote for every five of the nominated books they read.
10. The votes of all participating students in all participating schools are tallied. The book that gets most votes in its category wins the Sakura Medal.
11. The Sakura Medal is sent to the winning author.
The
Sakura Wall display where students keep track of the Sakura Books they have read
The Sakura medal Program and
the Library Sleepover
Participation in The Sakura Medal is essential for students in grade 3, 4 and 5
who want to make it to the Library Sleepover. Click
here for details.
How many
categories are there?
At the ASIJ elementary library there are three categories in the Sakura Medal
program: picture books, chapter book and Japanese picture books. All students
are welcome to participate in the picture books categories. Students in
grade 3 and up are invited to participate in the chapter books category.
When will the
program begin and end?
Start: Beginning of
October -
End April.
When will the
votes be cast?
At the end of April
How many books
does a student have to read in order to vote for the Sakura Medal?
The students must read a minimum of 5 books in one category to participate the voting process
at the end of the program.
Who started the
Sakura Medal and who selected the books for the list?
The Sakura Medal was started by teacher librarians that represent the majority
of the international schools in Japan. Last spring we came together and voted
on the best books published within the last three years. We sought to
include authors from all over the world whose works exemplify originality, literary quality,
interest, appeal, and are developmentally appropriate for the designated age level.
Do the books have
to be checked out from the ASIJ Library, or can we use other libraries and/or
books from our own private collections?
We have multiple copies of each book selected for the program. However students
are allowed to use their own books or books from other library collections such
as embassy libraries and/or the American Club library.
A few of our wonderful parent workers who help make our program possible
How will we keep
track of the books each student has read?
A reading record will be kept in the library. Students will be asked to
return a parent or teacher signed Sakura Medal Bookmark for each title they have
read. We will keep an official tally of what a student has read on the
Official Sakura medal Spreadsheet. After the info has been added to the
spreadsheet, the librarians will stamp the Bookmark and return it to the
student, who may then add it to his/her pocket on the large Sakura Medal Display
in the elementary library.
What does the word
“Sakura” mean?
Sakura means: cherry blossom, or cherry blossom tree. Sakura hold a very
special place in the Japanese heart. As far back as the 10th century the blossom
has been considered the national flower, and it has been the subject of poetry,
prose, and paintings over the ages. From the 10th century to the present day,
hanami or "flower viewing" parties have been held in March and April to
celebrate the ephemeral beauty of the delicate pink flower.
Which
schools in Japan are part of the program?
The
participating schools are
Picture Books 2009 Japanese Picture Books 2009 Chapter Books 2009
| Picture Books 2008 | Chapter Books 2008 |
| Picture Books 2007 | Chapter Books 2007 |
| Picture Books 2006 | Chapter Books 2006 |
I still have
questions about the program. How can I find out more?
Feel free to stop by at the elementary library and ask away. Alternatively, you
can email us at
wlaleman@asij.ac.jp.
Back to the Elementary Library Homepage
Back to Elementary School Homepage
February 17, 2010
Contact Mr. Wouter Laleman
wlaleman@asij.ac.jp