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The awards
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From: Robin Smith <smithr>
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 14:48:58 -0600
Every year I am surprised by the announcements. I read extensively and feel that I have a good handle on the books available for selection. This year I was more surprised by the committees' choices than usual. I made a decision to go back to the year end lists of a variety of publications: Booklinks, the Smithsonian magazine, the starred reveiws in Kirkus, School Library Journal and the like. I can't wait to see the final Notables list. Once I went back to the more comprehensive lists, I felt comforted. I was reassured that there were many people who loved the books that I loved, even if they were not selected for an ALA award. Choosing one book as the "winner" is fine for the people who have to make these choices, but I cannot limit myself that way.
Having said that, I read the A Single Shard and appreciated it. I was surprised at its choice, but not disappointed once I read it. I was more disappointed for the omissions.
I, too, though Amber was Brave, Essie was Smart was an exquisite, important and memorable book for this age reader. I loved Zazoo, Moonpie and Ivy, and Love Ruby Lavender. How can you really choose one book? I just finished Naidoo's The Other Side of Truth and cannot imagine being on the Printz committee and not selecting it. So be it.
I was also surprised at Carver: A Life in Poems. I love the book, but I thought it better for older readers.
I accurately predicted the various CSK awards, though I was surprised that Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis's fine The Other Side was not honored in some way. So many of the books in this category are published to coincide with Black History Month that I worry that they are forgotten by the time January of the next year rolls around. And Martin's Big Words came in so close to the end of the year that I was afraid it might be missed. Glad I was wrong!
Many in the CCBC community have been a part of an awards discussion committee. For those of us who have not, it seems a mysterious, secret handshake process. But, I must say that I enjoy all the predicting and second guessing. Every read has her own passions--I would love to be part of the discussions. Some year I will have to pretend to be a librarian and sit in on a Notables discussion. (they are open, right?)
I will save my thoughts on Caldecott books once I have looked over the titles again.
Robin
Received on Tue 22 Jan 2002 02:48:58 PM CST
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 14:48:58 -0600
Every year I am surprised by the announcements. I read extensively and feel that I have a good handle on the books available for selection. This year I was more surprised by the committees' choices than usual. I made a decision to go back to the year end lists of a variety of publications: Booklinks, the Smithsonian magazine, the starred reveiws in Kirkus, School Library Journal and the like. I can't wait to see the final Notables list. Once I went back to the more comprehensive lists, I felt comforted. I was reassured that there were many people who loved the books that I loved, even if they were not selected for an ALA award. Choosing one book as the "winner" is fine for the people who have to make these choices, but I cannot limit myself that way.
Having said that, I read the A Single Shard and appreciated it. I was surprised at its choice, but not disappointed once I read it. I was more disappointed for the omissions.
I, too, though Amber was Brave, Essie was Smart was an exquisite, important and memorable book for this age reader. I loved Zazoo, Moonpie and Ivy, and Love Ruby Lavender. How can you really choose one book? I just finished Naidoo's The Other Side of Truth and cannot imagine being on the Printz committee and not selecting it. So be it.
I was also surprised at Carver: A Life in Poems. I love the book, but I thought it better for older readers.
I accurately predicted the various CSK awards, though I was surprised that Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis's fine The Other Side was not honored in some way. So many of the books in this category are published to coincide with Black History Month that I worry that they are forgotten by the time January of the next year rolls around. And Martin's Big Words came in so close to the end of the year that I was afraid it might be missed. Glad I was wrong!
Many in the CCBC community have been a part of an awards discussion committee. For those of us who have not, it seems a mysterious, secret handshake process. But, I must say that I enjoy all the predicting and second guessing. Every read has her own passions--I would love to be part of the discussions. Some year I will have to pretend to be a librarian and sit in on a Notables discussion. (they are open, right?)
I will save my thoughts on Caldecott books once I have looked over the titles again.
Robin
Received on Tue 22 Jan 2002 02:48:58 PM CST
