The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award was created to honor excellence in children's literature. Since 1957, Vermont students in grades 4 - 8 have selected their favorite book from a list of nominees. It is recommended that students read at least five of the year's nominated titles before voting in the spring each year.
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Committee Website
Order Vermont Youth Book Award Labels
2025-2026 Award Year Information and Materials
2025-2026 Golden Dome Nominee List
2024-2025 Award Year Information and Materials
- Student Vote Submission Form: Deadline May 25
- 2024-2025 Golden Dome Book Award Nominee List
- 2024-2025 Golden Dome Punch Cards (Created by Jill Abair, U-32 Middle/High School, East Montpelier)
- 2024-2025 Vermont Golden Dome Committee Membership
- 2024-2025 Vermont Golden Dome Pamphlet - Page 1, Page 2, (Created by Melissa Beaulieu, Baldwin Memorial Library)
- 2024 Vermont Golden Dome Conference Videos
Author Katherine Applegate discusses her childhood (for a long time, she hated to read!), her early career, and discuss how Odder, the 2023-2024 Vermont Golden Dome winner, evolved from a prose novel into free verse. Be prepared for adorable otter photos! New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including The One And Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.Vermont Golden Dome Book Award committee members lead an exploration into the award nomination list, highlighting innovative and fun ways to promote and engage book award participation in schools and libraries.
2023-2024 Award Year Information and Materials
2022-2023 Program Information and Materials
Past Nominees and Winners
Publisher Submission Guidelines
Books to be considered by the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Committee are submitted by publishers. Four copies of each title, which will be circulated to committee members, should be sent to:
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Committee
c/o Vermont Department of Libraries
60 Washington St., Suite 2
Barre, VT 05641
Books published in the current calendar year may be sent at any time during the year. However, sending books as soon as feasible makes it possible to give all books more careful consideration.
Publishers are invited to submit books that meet the following criteria:
- The book must have been published in the current calendar year. Reprints and compilations previously copyrighted are not eligible.
- The book must have been written by a living author who is a citizen or resident of the United States or Canada. Co-authors may be included.
- The book must be original or, if traditional in origin, the result of individual research. The retelling and reinterpretation must be the writer's own.
- All forms of writing are eligible for consideration – fiction, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. Poetry, anthologies and short stories must be by a single author and not previously copyrighted.
- Books written by a previous recipient of Vermont Golden Dome Book Award may be considered at the discretion of the committee.
- Books should have children as their intended audience and be appropriate for children in grades four through eight.
Questions may be addressed to Committee Co-Chair Sarah Adelman.
Order Vermont Youth Book Award Labels