Since 1994, the Silver Birch® program has allowed readers in Grades 4 to 6 to vote for their favourite book. This year, in celebration the two decades, readers of all ages have a chance to vote for their favourite of favourites – the Ultimate Silver Birch® Award.

In celebration of two decades, the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading® program is asking readers to vote for their top title from the 38 fiction and non-fiction winners over the years. Voting is open until January 31, 2014.

Additionally, all voters can enter a draw for prizes, which include a set of 2014 Forest of Reading® nominated titles, a visit from a Silver Birch® mystery author, tickets to the Festival of Trees™ and much more.

Silver Birch® is the oldest award program in the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading® program. Originally, the fiction and non-fiction lists were combined, so the 1994 winner was a fiction title and the 1995 winner was a non-fiction title.

Today, the Silver Birch® Award is comprised of three separate lists: Fiction, Non-fiction and Express. The Silver Birch® program is meant for readers aged 8 to 12 (Grades 3 to 6,) with the Express list typically suited to readers in Grade 3 and 4 or the reluctant reader in Grade 5 or 6. The award for the Silver Birch® program is typically given out at the Toronto Festival of Trees™ in May.

For more information, to download the posters, or to vote for your favourite book, visit www.accessola.org and click on Forest of Reading.