Books that are a collection need to have stories that belong to that year and not previously published. The award is given to the illustrator. The book should be more science fiction than fantasy. This is hard at the picture book level but we are looking for some evidence that it is done by science rather than magic. The book should be more science fiction than fantasy and written for grades 2-6 approximately.
Good characterization is essential.
We prefer that main characters be problem solvers and science users rather than someone who has to be rescued. This award is named after Hal Clement, the pen name of Harry Stubbs, who is a well known science fiction writer and science teacher. He helps children's science fiction programming wherever he goes and is an all-round nice guy. The award is for science fiction books of grades 6-12 that have a young adult protagonist. The science should be as correct as possible, but still a good story.