What is Troybery?

Launched during the 2000-2001 school year, the Troybery Award Program began as a way for the Troy middle school media specialists to encourage students to read and vote on what they thought was the best book of the previous publishing year, instead of adults choosing the best books for awards like the Newbery or Caldicott. The book with the most votes will receive the prestigious Troybery Award, and the three runners-up will be named Troybery Honor Books.

In the past, the middle school media specialists nominated 10 titles for Troybery that they thought represented the best middle grade books published that year across a variety of genres.

​However, change came to Troybery in 2017! With suggestions and input from students and teachers, the media specialists now curate a list of 20-30 potential Troybery titles released during second quarter of the school year. Books must have a certain publication year and be a stand-alone title or be the first book in a new series. Most importantly, the books must be awesome, engaging reads!

Students will read potential Troyberys from the release date until April, when students will begin voting on the best books of each genre in order to narrow the list down to the top ten.

Since 2021, the media specialists have hosted the Troybery Author Blitz in March or April, where classrooms are treated to a virtual author visit every hour of the school day. Then, students will vote one more time to determine the Troybery winner out of the students' favorite titles.

Award winners are announced at the annual Troybery ceremony in May. 

Looking for the Troybery 2026 list? Find it here.

2026 Troybery Program

The 2026 winner, THIS BOOK KILLS by Ravena Guron, was revealed at our virtual pre-recorded ceremony on May 8, 2026.
Many thanks to the middle school PTOs and Troy Women's Association, who sponsor Troybery with a donation every year! 

2026 Troybery Results

Troybery Rules

  1. Read as many Troyberys as you can!
  2. Current Troybery books have special circulation dates.
  3. Troybery books may not be renewed. Students may check out the same book the very next period if it is still available.
  4. Students may check out only one Troybery book at a time.
  5. Students may not place holds on current Troyberys.
  6. Students may not have any overdue books or fines in order to check out a Troybery.

Past Troybery Winners

2025 BOMB, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
2024  ​I MUST BETRAY YOU
2023 GROUND ZERO
2022 FIGHTING WORDS
2021 TROYBERY VS. NEWBERY--TROYBERY WINS!
2020 THE HUNGER GAMES (voted best Troybery of the past 20 years)
2019 GRENADE
2018 REFUGEE
2017 ​OCDANIEL
2016 THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE
2015 THE IRON TRIAL
2014 THE RITHMATIST
2013 WONDER
2012 PRISONER OF CELL 25
2011 OUT OF MY MIND
2010 MALICE
2009 HUNGER GAMES
2008 THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY
2007 LOOKING GLASS WARS
2006 MAXIMUM RIDE
2005 MISS SWEET HONEYWELL'S REVENGE
2004 CITY OF EMBER
2003 PENDRAGON: MERCHANT OF DEATH
2002 LIREAL
2001 STARGIRL

For a list of all former nominees and winners, check here.