The Courier-Mail Young Reviewer of the year award gave students the opportunity to earn up to $500 worth of books. Three section winners received a $100 book voucher.
The Courier-Mail sought reviews by Queensland school students in the Younger Readers, Older Readers and Picture Books sections of the Children's Book Council 2004 Book of the Year shortlist.
Schools selected reviews by individual students in any -- or all -- of the three sections listed above and sent them to The Courier-Mail. The award was open to children receiving home and distance education -- but only if they live in Queensland.
Children of any age were free to write reviews of books aimed at any age group. Judges took into account reviewers' ages.
Australian software maker dnaml donated a copy of DeskTop Author to the schools attended by the overall winner and the three section winners. (The Courier-Mail, 25 May 2004, p104
The awards begun in 1996 are run with the Society of Editors (Queensland) and the Children's Book Council of Australia. Students are asked to write reviews of books that have been shortlisted for the CBC Book of the Year award in the Picture Books, Younger Readers Older Readers and Information Book sections. The Society of Editors awards a $100 book voucher to each section winner and The Courier-Mail awards a $500 book voucher to the overall winner.
