From: wwilson2
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2001 23:44:09 -0500

Thanks in part to this discussion, the Sibert has opened my eyes to the quality possible in an area of literature that I had not really paid much attention to heretofore. I briefly judged non-fiction work on reliability and documentation, readability, and, frankly, personal interest to me. Now I see how really exciting non-fiction can be with many more facets to consider than the ones I mentioned above. I'd like to start a live discussion group based on the winners of this honor, and it might really fly with those YA's who don't care for fiction (I've never understood that kind of person, but I know they do exist.) but never get to enter into just plain intelligent discussion. I think these books could also spark a good discussion among adults, especially those who don't have time to wade through a 300 + page tome.
    Does the establishment of the award mean that we can look forward to having more real non-fiction available than the Goosebumps/Sweet Valley cookie cutter series that we now have? Are there books about states or countries for children that don't all follow the same formula by the same non-authorities who whisk in, do some quick fact finding, and pack
'em up and go, without ever trying to get to the soul or spirit of a place?
    At any rate I'm glad that this award has been established, I am grateful for the comments by the subscribers to this listserv, and I'm especially grateful that there are no "stumpers" allowed on this list!
    Cassie Wilson
Received on Wed 07 Mar 2001 10:44:09 PM CST