See the Official Black-Eyed Susan Book Award website for booklists, contest guidelines, and winners.
This award is sponsored by the Maryland Educational Media Association (MEMO).

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We are participating in a state sponsored reading program, the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award. Our purpose is to promote literacy and life-long reading habits by encouraging students to read quality, contemporary literature. The books that were selected to be placed on the state list are expected to broaden the human experience and provide accurate, factual information. The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award honors outstanding books, chosen annually by Maryland students.

When the required number of books (minimum of 3) has been read, each student will cast one vote for the book he or she considers to be the most outstanding. Votes from across the state are sent in to the committee and tallied to determine the winner among Maryland's high school students. Authors, illustrators and publishers recognize the award as an honor bestowed by Maryland students.

Some of the suggested authors and works, although of significant literary merit, may represent titles, which contain mature situations (violence, sex) and/or language.

Therefore, I am requesting that you approve any titles that your son or daughter may choose from the list before allowing them to read the selections. This might involve asking your son or daughter to show you the books for your perusal before granting your permission, and it does mean you must sign the permission form below before we can accept the selections as the basis for a class assignment. If you do not approve of a title chosen, simply have your student select another work from the Black-Eyed Susan list.

Thank you for taking an interest in your son or daughter's success. Check out the website created for this activity at < www.bcpl.net/~sullivan/modules/tips/readingpage/blackeyesusan >.

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I grant my permission for (student name)_______________________________to read

(book title)_______________________________________________________________
as a choice for an out-of-class reading assignment.

Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________Date_______________