On March 10, the Gateway Voting Party was held in the library for any student who read a book on the Gateway Book List. Students who read at least three Gateway books were eligible to vote on a winner for the Gateway Readers’ Choice Award Program. Students all across Missouri voted on the same list of books and the results will be counted to declare an overall winner.

“The books have to have been published the year prior,” librarian and party host Michelle Stuerman said. “Every year, librarians all over the state read new books and then they come up with a list of about 15 that they think are the best.”

Some of the books students could choose from to read included Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson, Deadline by Chris Crutcher, Beastly by Alex Flinn, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman. At the party, students discussed the books they read, and if they read three or more, they could vote on a winner.

“I read Thirteen Reasons Why, Beauty Shop for Rent, Beastly, and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac,” attendee Abby Bounds said.

Overall, the party was a success. The attendees of the party voted for Unwind by Neal Shusterman as their favorite.

“It was pretty fun,” attendee Nathan Tavares said. “I always like anything to do with books.”