The Mom’s Choice Awards has named Jan Crossen’s 9 LIVES Trilogy, among the best in family-friendly media products and services of 2009.  Crossen, is a first time author and resident of Lopez Island, WA. 

The Mom’s Choice Awards (MCA) is an annual awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.  Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families.  The Mom’s Choice Awards seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from any manufacturer association.  The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five identical samples of a product.  Entries are matched to judges in the MCA database.  Judges perform a thorough analysis and submit a detailed assessment.  Results are compiled and submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final approval.  The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and educators can feel confident in using. 

Jan Crossen’s 9 LIVES series earned the Gold Award for a Young Adult Series.  This fictional work was inspired by Crossen’s adopted son, Joshua, who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Spectrums Disorder, a brain disability caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.   The trilogy targets preteens, teenagers, reluctant readers, foster, adoptive and birth parents, teachers, social workers, therapists, and those working with the special needs population.  The series includes: 9 LIVES: I Will Survive; 9 LIVES: Cat Tales; and 9 LIVES: Full Circle. 

For more information on the Mom’s Choice Awards program and the honorees, visit www.MomsChoiceAwards.com .  For more information on Jan Crossen’s, 9 LIVES Trilogy, visit www.jancrossen.com