The Sakura Medal program brings together students from international schools across Japan each year to vote for their favourite books.
Each year, librarians from various international schools meet and select 25-30 books in each of the Sakura Medal categories (Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle School, High School, and Japanese Picture Books). Books are chosen that are no more than two years old and that are from a variety of backgrounds and across a wide range of reading abilities.
Students who read 5 books (3 for High School books) in any category by Monday, April 20, 2009 will be eligible to vote for their favourite. Votes will then be tallied across all participating schools and the winning author in each category will receive a 2009 Sakura Medal. While staff and parents are encouraged to participate, voting is only open to students.