Reading Champions: Frequently Asked Questions

A Reading Champion is any individual, school, teacher, librarian, non-profit, charity or literacy organization who actively promotes the gift of reading and through their efforts helps children discover the power of reading.  A nominee must be a legal resident of Canada over the age of 13.  Those between the ages of 13-18 require the consent of a parent/guardian.  Consent to the nomination will be requested either via phone or email to be eligible for being selected a Reading Champion.  Employees of Scholastic and their immediate family members cannot be selected as Reading Champions.  

Anyone! If you know someone who has used reading to make a difference — big or small — in the lives of children, we want to hear from you. Nominations can be made by an individual or a group (e.g. a classroom nomination).  In the event of a group nomination one person needs to complete the nomination on behalf of the group.  Those between the ages of 13-18 require the consent of a parent/guardian, and a parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 13 may nominate a Reading Champion on their child’s behalf. 

If you know someone who you believe has made a difference through bringing the gift of reading to children, submit your nomination by completing the nomination form and attaching any supporting documentation. Nominations can be submitted online, via email (readingchampions@scholastic.ca) or by mail (Attn: Reading Champions Committee/ Comité des Champions de la lecture, Scholastic Canada Ltd., 175 Hillmount Rd., Markham, ON, L6C 1Z7). The supporting documentation should outline why your nominee should be chosen as a Reading Champion based on the selection criteria (see “How are the Reading Champions selected?” below). Supporting documentation can include a written submission, poster, poem, picture book, or other artifact.

Yes, please feel free to nominate as many Reading Champions as you think are deserving of this nomination.

No, there is no cost involved in the nomination process.

Nominations are open from January to December 2017, with a final submission deadline of 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, December 15, 2017. Nominations received after this time and date will not be eligible. Mailed submissions postmarked on or before December 15, 2017, will be eligible for consideration.

Entries will be reviewed on or about the 15th of each month, and up to five Reading Champions will be selected each month. Nominees not selected as a Reading Champion in any given month will remain eligible for consideration over the course of the program. Our goal is to select a total of 60 Reading Champions by the end of 2017, in celebration of Scholastic Canada’s 60th anniversary.

The Scholastic Reading Champions Selection Committee will review the entries received, using the following equally weighted criteria as a guideline in the selection process. From time to time the Committee will invite special guests from the children’s book community to participate in the selection process.

Selection criteria:

For Individuals:

  • Shows leadership in promoting a love of reading in the community
  • Demonstrates a commitment to improving the lives of children through reading
  • Plays a positive role in the lives of children and bringing the joy of reading to children

For Teachers/Librarians/Schools:

  • Creates a literacy-rich environment in the school/classroom
  • Displays a unique and exceptional effort in their commitment to bringing the joy of reading to children
  • Sparks a lifelong love of reading through leading by example

For Literacy Organizations/Non-Profits/Charities:

  • Helps put books into the hands of children who may not otherwise have access to books
  • Shows leadership in promoting a love of reading within communities
  • Communicates the importance and benefits of literacy.

Those who have been selected as Reading Champions will be notified via email or phone within one week of the selection date.   Once contacted you must respond to the e-mail or phone call within seventy-two (72) hours with your full name, mailing address, and (if notified by email) phone number; and if no response is received within 72 hours your name will be included in the following month’s nominations.

If the nominee is selected as a Reading Champion, consent is required to use the individual and/or organization’s name, as well as a summary of their achievements and their photograph. This information may be released to the media and included in publications for publicity purposes associated with the program. If the nominee is between the ages of 13-18 the nominee’s parent/legal guardian’s consent is required.

Each Reading Champion will receive a certificate of recognition and the opportunity to select a school, charity or non-profit organization (including the school or organization they are affiliated with), to which Scholastic Canada will make a book donation with a retail value of up to $1,000. Reading Champions will be recognized through a press release, Scholastic Canada’s social media and other online outlets.

Scholastic Canada will be in touch with the school, charity or non-profit organization of choice and will work with them directly to customize the book donation to their needs. Scholastic Canada will acknowledge the Reading Champion in the donation.

No, the prize will be a book donation with a retail value of up to $1,000, made to the school, charity or non-profit organization selected by each Reading Champion.
Please read the official Scholastic Reading Champions program rules and regulations to ensure you are eligible to enter. 

Please see Full Contest Rules and Regulations