In a few weeks, elementary students around Unit 2 will go to the polls — not to pick a leader, but to pick a favorite book.

Kindergarten through third-grade students throughout the district are going through a list of books recommended for the age group.

"They're excited about it," Longfellow  Elementary media aid Donnna Hill said. "I told them adults vote on the president, but they get to vote for their favorite book. We try to make it fun for them."

Classes spent time in the library Friday listening to Hill read Michelle Knudsen's "

"I bet you've never heard that before," she said when the story's hero was reminded of a staple library rule (don't run).

Then, "If a lion was sitting over there by you, I'd be getting a little nervous."

A little laughter from a second-grade class followed.

Between free reading time and listening to stories, students will dig into the books and then pick a favorite during election week.

Students have a list of 20 books chosen by the Illinois School Library Media Association as Monarch Award winners, which are works emphasizing growth, change and freedom as students learn to read critically.

This is Unit 2's first year in the program.

"I think they like it," Unit 2 media specialist Roxanne Price said. "Each time they hear a new book, they say 'I like that one better.'"

For more information about the Monarch Awards, visit the  ISLMA Web site, http://www.islma.org/monarch.htm