The Sakura Medal: Inspiring a Love for Reading
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About the Sakura Medal
The Sakura Medal is an annual book award program that brings together students from international schools across Japan to celebrate their favorite books. With categories including Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Chapter Books, Middle School, High School, and Japanese language books, the program showcases a diverse selection of titles to inspire readers of all ages and abilities.
Each year, librarians from participating schools carefully curate a shortlist of 25–30 books for each category. These books are selected for their engaging stories, diverse perspectives, and relevance to young readers. Students who read a minimum number of books in their category are eligible to cast their vote, making this award a truly student-driven initiative. Votes are tallied across all participating schools, and winning authors are honored with the prestigious Sakura Medal.
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The program not only fosters a love of reading but also encourages critical thinking, cultural awareness, and community participation. Named after Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms, the Sakura Medal embodies the beauty of discovery and growth through stories.
Explore the Sakura Medal winners and join the celebration of literacy and imagination. For more details about this year’s program, visit your school library or check the official Sakura Medal websites.
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These Sakura Medal Book Awards pages were created by Mr. Tim, founder of The Magic Crayons and a former International IB School Librarian in Tokyo, Japan. He served as a librarian at an international school until 2018. For shortlists and winners from 2019 to the present, please visit the Sakura Medal website.
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Picture Books - Librarian tip
Where possible always buy hardback versions of these books. As a teacher it is easier to hold them so students can see. Students love to hold and play with the books so they will last a lot longer in hardback too. If you have a large class try a Big Book version.
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Participating International Schools
- The American School in Japan (ASIJ, Tokyo)
- British School in Tokyo(BST, Tokyo)
- Canadian Academy(Kobe)
- The Canadian International School(Shinagawa, Tokyo)
- Christian Academy in Japan(CAJ, Tokyo)
- DISK - Doshisha International School, Kyoto
- Hiroshima International School
- The Hokkaido International School(Sapporo)
- International School of the Sacred Heart(Tokyo)
- Jingumae International Exchange School(Tokyo)
- K. International School(Tokyo)
- Makuhari International School (Chiba)
- The Montessori School(Tokyo)
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Participating International Schools
- Nagoya International School(NIS, Nagoya)
- New International School of Japan(Tokyo)
- Nishimachi International School(NIS, Tokyo)
- Osaka International School(OIS, Osaka)
- Seisen International School(Tokyo)
- St. Maur International School(Yokohama)
- St. Marys International School (Tokyo)
- Tokyo International School(Tokyo)
- Tokyo Korean School (Tokyo)
- Tsukuba International School(Tsukuba Science City)
- Waseda International School (Tokyo)
- Yokohama International School(YIS, Yokohama)
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