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Monday, April 11, 2016

COE Faculty Book Nominated for California Young Reader Medal

paper son
The California Young Reader Medal program (CYRM) has nominated a book written by two College of Education faculty members for a California Young Reader Medal.

Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan – team leader for the single subject three-semester block cohort – and Dr. Helen Foster James – a former part-time faculty member within the College – co-authored a book entitled Paper Son. The book was nominated for the CYRM in the “Picture Books for Older Readers” category, and will be purchased and read in libraries all over the State of California.


CYRM was founded in 1974 with a mission to introduce readers in California to multiple genres and formats of books and allow them to honor their favorites, all while developing an increased desire for recreational reading. In the nomination process, readers will recommend the titles of their favorite books for nomination, or teachers and librarians note repeatedly read or requested titles, and these are submitted to the CYRM Committee.

Paper Son documents the trials of a young Chinese boy named Lee who, after living with his grandparents his whole life, must travel to America after his parents spent their money giving him his “paper son papers,” which portray him as a child of a family in America. However, the journey is not easy for Lee, who must pass his immigration test in order to gain entry into the U.S., or risk being sent back to China.

Ballots for voting were due April 1, and the winners of the CYRM categories will be announced May 1 on the CYRM website. Congratulations to both Dr. Loh-Hagan and Dr. Foster James on their nomination!



Virginia Loh-Hagan