I am not quiet sure now where I stumbled upon this information, but I just have to share it with everyone!  I am so excited at the prospect of a National Homeschool Book Award!  What a fun way to connect with other homeschoolers around the country by reading the same books, engaging in the same activities for them, and in the end getting to vote for the one you loved the best!  Being a reading bunch here in our household, it doesn’t get much better than this!  We plan on reading all 4 of the books throughout the coming months (most specifically as they post their gathered list of activities for each one).  As we read them, discuss them, and try out some of the activities for ourselves, I will post all about it!  I would love to hear from others that decide to join in and read as well.

Here is the press release from the National Homeschool Book Award site:

[image width=”250″ height=”250″ frame=”simple” align=”left”]http://www.startsateight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/NHBA_250_widget.png[/image]
Does your homeschool family love books?  Do you especially love kids’ books that explore characters learning and growing through experiences outside the traditional classroom setting?  Do you feel like your family offers a unique perspective on books because you are homeschoolers?

Let your voice be heard!!

Join other homeschoolers taking part in the first annual National Homeschool Book Award!  This new book award is a readers’ choice award created by a group of homeschool moms to recognize and celebrate current juvenile fiction that resonates with kids learning at home.  Let’s make our collective voice of 2 million (and counting!) homeschoolers heard in the U.S. and encourage authors to continue to write great books that speak to us!

It is free and easy to get involved – just read the four books nominated in March and place your vote for your favorite in October.  In between, there will be opportunities to learn more about the books and their authors through kid-friendly blog posts that feature information on topics in the books and ideas for activities you can do together to enrich your reading, including tips on how to start a National Homeschool Book Award book club in your own community.

This year’s nominees are:  Alabama Moon, by Watt Key; Every Soul a Star, by Wendy Mass; Savvy, by Ingrid Law; and The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap, by H.M. Bouwman.

Intrigued?  If so, please take a moment and stop by our website for more information!  There you can read more about the award and the four books nominated for 2011, and sign up for email alerts during the year about new blog posts and when to vote.

http://www.nationalhomeschoolbookaward.com

If you like what you see, you can help us get the word out by telling your homeschool friends to stop by the website and sign up, too!  You can also find an NHBA widget for your website or blog at:

http://www.nationalhomeschoolbookaward.com/getwidget.aspx

You can also find us on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/nationalhomeschoolbookaward

Join us for a great year of reading and learning together!