So what does the duty entail? Oh, reading between 60 and 120 books a year.

“But they’re not big,” said Moreland.

The books are on a third- through eighth-grade reading level. Each year, newly published books are eligible for the book award. Committee members are required to read 60 to 120 books they choose and then select their top books.

Moreland said she likely already has a nominee. She’s looking to put a 300-page Diane Farmer book on her nominee list.

Committee members will choose about 15 nominees and then gather in September at Emporia State University to decide the William Allen White Children’s Book Award winner. Committee members come from the Kansas Reading Association, the Kansas Department of Education, the Kansas Congress of Parents and Teachers and several state education-related associations. Students in third through eighth grades also are on the committee.

Moreland earned a three-year appointment to the committee as an at-large selection.

“I have a background in children’s literature and I thought it would be fun,” she said.

Moreland received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Kansas State University. And being surrounded by books runs in the family. Her mother, who is a professor emeritus at K-State, also is a librarian. So with her background, it seems natural for her to be on a committee that requires her to read at least 180 books, each averaging 200 words, during her three years on the board.

“I can do two of those a night,” Moreland said.