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Call for Sibert Informational Book Award suggestions
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From: Kathy Isaacs <kisaacs>
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 13:41:27 -0400
ALA-ALSC members are invited to participate in 2005 Sibert Award selection process by submitting titles for consideration. This award is given annually to the author of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States for children during the preceding year. Honor books may be named. Only books from the 2004 publishing year are under consideration for the 2005 award.
Please reflect on the informational books that you have read this year. Please bring to our attention those books that in your mind meet the Sibert Award criteria. The terms, definitions, and criteria are included below.
Please submit titles for consideration with the following information: the book's bibliographic information (author, title, and publisher), a brief explanation as to why you think that the book meets the Sibert Awardcriteria, and your name. Please send your suggestions to Kathy Isaacs at sibert05 at mindspring.com.
Suggestions should be submitted as soon as possible before December 17.
Thanks for your support and participation.
*Terms*
The Sibert Award is presented annually to the author of the most distinguished informational book for children published in the United States during the preceding year.
Terms include:
? Poetry and traditional literature (e.g., folktales) are not eligible. There are no other limitations as to the character of the book providing it is an original work.
? Honor Books may be named. They are books that are also truly distinguished.
? The award is restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United States.
? The award is restricted to original work first published in the United States.
? The committee is to consider in its deliberations only books eligible for the award as specified in the terms.
? The award may be given posthumously.
*Definitions*
_Informational books_ are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable, factual material.
_Significant contribution_ is gauged by how well the work elucidates, clarifies and enlivens its subject. The committee considers overall accuracy, documentation and organization. Although the award is presented to the author, visual material and book design also figure into the committee?s decision.
_Children?s literature_ is defined as the body of books published for a potential child audience. Such books display respect for children?s understanding, abilities, and appreciation. Children range from birth through age fourteen. Books for the entire range are to be considered.
_Distinguished_ is defined as noted for significant achievement; marked by quality, excellence, or eminence; distinctive.
_Author_ may include co-authors or author-illustrators.
_Original work_ means that books reprinted or compiled from other sources are not eligible.
_First published in the United States_ means that books originally published in other countries are not eligible.
_Published in the preceding year_ means that the book has a publication date in the year under consideration, was available for purchase in that year, and has a copyright date no later than that year. An eligible book may have a copyright date prior to the year under consideration if it was not published until the year under consideration. The intent: that every eligible book be considered, but that no book be considered in more than one year.
_Resident_ is defined as someone who maintains a home in the United States rather than someone who just visits.
The phrase _only the books eligible for the award_ specifies that the committee is to consider only eligible books, not an author?s body of work or previous accolades.
*Criteria*
In identifying the most distinguished informational book for children from the preceding year, committee members consider important elements and qualities:
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.
? Appropriate organization and documentation.
? Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.
? Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.
? Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).
? Respectful and of interest to children.
Not every book relies equally on every element. The committee need not find excellence in every element listed above but only in those relevant to the book.
The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media for enjoyment.
The Sibert Award is presented to honor distinguished informational books for children. The award is not presented for didactic intent or for popularity.
Received on Mon 04 Oct 2004 12:41:27 PM CDT
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 13:41:27 -0400
ALA-ALSC members are invited to participate in 2005 Sibert Award selection process by submitting titles for consideration. This award is given annually to the author of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States for children during the preceding year. Honor books may be named. Only books from the 2004 publishing year are under consideration for the 2005 award.
Please reflect on the informational books that you have read this year. Please bring to our attention those books that in your mind meet the Sibert Award criteria. The terms, definitions, and criteria are included below.
Please submit titles for consideration with the following information: the book's bibliographic information (author, title, and publisher), a brief explanation as to why you think that the book meets the Sibert Awardcriteria, and your name. Please send your suggestions to Kathy Isaacs at sibert05 at mindspring.com.
Suggestions should be submitted as soon as possible before December 17.
Thanks for your support and participation.
*Terms*
The Sibert Award is presented annually to the author of the most distinguished informational book for children published in the United States during the preceding year.
Terms include:
? Poetry and traditional literature (e.g., folktales) are not eligible. There are no other limitations as to the character of the book providing it is an original work.
? Honor Books may be named. They are books that are also truly distinguished.
? The award is restricted to authors who are citizens or residents of the United States.
? The award is restricted to original work first published in the United States.
? The committee is to consider in its deliberations only books eligible for the award as specified in the terms.
? The award may be given posthumously.
*Definitions*
_Informational books_ are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable, factual material.
_Significant contribution_ is gauged by how well the work elucidates, clarifies and enlivens its subject. The committee considers overall accuracy, documentation and organization. Although the award is presented to the author, visual material and book design also figure into the committee?s decision.
_Children?s literature_ is defined as the body of books published for a potential child audience. Such books display respect for children?s understanding, abilities, and appreciation. Children range from birth through age fourteen. Books for the entire range are to be considered.
_Distinguished_ is defined as noted for significant achievement; marked by quality, excellence, or eminence; distinctive.
_Author_ may include co-authors or author-illustrators.
_Original work_ means that books reprinted or compiled from other sources are not eligible.
_First published in the United States_ means that books originally published in other countries are not eligible.
_Published in the preceding year_ means that the book has a publication date in the year under consideration, was available for purchase in that year, and has a copyright date no later than that year. An eligible book may have a copyright date prior to the year under consideration if it was not published until the year under consideration. The intent: that every eligible book be considered, but that no book be considered in more than one year.
_Resident_ is defined as someone who maintains a home in the United States rather than someone who just visits.
The phrase _only the books eligible for the award_ specifies that the committee is to consider only eligible books, not an author?s body of work or previous accolades.
*Criteria*
In identifying the most distinguished informational book for children from the preceding year, committee members consider important elements and qualities:
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.
? Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.
? Appropriate organization and documentation.
? Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.
? Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.
? Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).
? Respectful and of interest to children.
Not every book relies equally on every element. The committee need not find excellence in every element listed above but only in those relevant to the book.
The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media for enjoyment.
The Sibert Award is presented to honor distinguished informational books for children. The award is not presented for didactic intent or for popularity.
Received on Mon 04 Oct 2004 12:41:27 PM CDT
