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Silent to the Bone
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From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 08:58:25 -0600
To respond to Madge's question about the CCBC Newbery discussion, I can't recall if the issue of age-appropriateness ever came up. Our discussion group was also comprised of teachers and librarians throughout Dane County who spoke eloquently about the strengths of the characterization, plotting, narrative, language, and use of metaphor while discussing "Silent to the Bone," and it quickly rose to the top of our list.
If the age level question had come up, however, we would have reminded the participants that the Newbery terms and criteria specify literature for children through age 14. In its terms for the Printz Award, YALSA specifies its audience as ages 12, so there is a three-year audience overlap between the two awards. I predict that it won't be long before the two committees choose the same book. (It might have happened this year had "Kit's Wilderness" been eligible for Newbery.)
Since the ALA Notable Children's Book Committee also neglected to select "Silent to the Bone," I would guess that the real Newbery committee found a significant literary flaw that neither of our mock committees noticed. While their proceedings are entirely confidential, we can rest assured that their level of preparation and discussion is at least ten-fold what any of us on the outside can do, so we have to trust the process. The ALA Notable Children's Book Discussion, on the other hand, is open to outside observers, so perhaps there is someone among us who heard their discussion of
"Silent to the Bone" and can enlighten us.
Kathleen T. Horning (horning at education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706 608&3930 FAX: 608&2I33
Madge Klais wrote: I, too, would like to hear from the CCBC staff regarding their mock Newbery discussion about "Silent to the Bone." I recently facilitated a similar discussion with teachers and librarians in the Madison, Wisconsin, school district. Our group was very appreciative of the literary quality and compelling plot of "Silent to the Bone." However, we felt that it was definitely not a book that was appropriate for elementary school-age children. We felt that it should have been a candidate for the Michael Printz Award.
Received on Mon 22 Jan 2001 08:58:25 AM CST
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 08:58:25 -0600
To respond to Madge's question about the CCBC Newbery discussion, I can't recall if the issue of age-appropriateness ever came up. Our discussion group was also comprised of teachers and librarians throughout Dane County who spoke eloquently about the strengths of the characterization, plotting, narrative, language, and use of metaphor while discussing "Silent to the Bone," and it quickly rose to the top of our list.
If the age level question had come up, however, we would have reminded the participants that the Newbery terms and criteria specify literature for children through age 14. In its terms for the Printz Award, YALSA specifies its audience as ages 12, so there is a three-year audience overlap between the two awards. I predict that it won't be long before the two committees choose the same book. (It might have happened this year had "Kit's Wilderness" been eligible for Newbery.)
Since the ALA Notable Children's Book Committee also neglected to select "Silent to the Bone," I would guess that the real Newbery committee found a significant literary flaw that neither of our mock committees noticed. While their proceedings are entirely confidential, we can rest assured that their level of preparation and discussion is at least ten-fold what any of us on the outside can do, so we have to trust the process. The ALA Notable Children's Book Discussion, on the other hand, is open to outside observers, so perhaps there is someone among us who heard their discussion of
"Silent to the Bone" and can enlighten us.
Kathleen T. Horning (horning at education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706 608&3930 FAX: 608&2I33
Madge Klais wrote: I, too, would like to hear from the CCBC staff regarding their mock Newbery discussion about "Silent to the Bone." I recently facilitated a similar discussion with teachers and librarians in the Madison, Wisconsin, school district. Our group was very appreciative of the literary quality and compelling plot of "Silent to the Bone." However, we felt that it was definitely not a book that was appropriate for elementary school-age children. We felt that it should have been a candidate for the Michael Printz Award.
Received on Mon 22 Jan 2001 08:58:25 AM CST
