From: Sue McCleaf Nespeca <nespecas>
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:20:32 -0500

This was an interesting year for book awards - it is the first time in many years (that in my questionable memory) two books won awards in both a
"children's" and "young adult" category.

I will not address Hole in My Life directly, since I was the chair of the Sibert Committee that made the decision that the book be an Honor, and as many of you know, the book discussions for committees are confidential.

However, (and forgive me Megan and Kathleen if this seems slightly off topic), I would like to address the issue of books winning in two categories.

As a consultant in youth services to two regional library systems in Ohio, I had several emails and questions directed to me by librarians not on Hole in my Life (winning both a Printz Award and a Sibert Award), but rather on how Nancy Farmer's book, House of the Scorpion, won both a Newbery Award for children and a Printz Honor for young adults.

I thought it was an excellent question and since I have done six speeches thus far on all the award winning books to different audiences, I now always directly address this question since most people find it interesting.

The Printz Award defines young adults as ages 12 through 18.

The Newbery (and Sibert) defines children as persons of ages up to and including fourteen.

Thus there are a few years that overlap, which means books for the lower range of the Printz, and for the upper range of the Newbery, can indeed allow for a book winning in both categories.

Sue McCleaf Nespeca 2003 Sibert Chair
Received on Thu 27 Feb 2003 09:20:32 AM CST