From: Kathy Isaacs <kisaacs>
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:21:29 -0400

I would not call the Sibert as a consolation prize. It is one of the many awards that draw attention to quality in children's books, and its particular focus helps writers, publishers, and readers define for themselves excellence in informational books. For members of a Newbery Award Committee (as I have been) or for a person who has received a Newbery award, the public attention is almost unhealthy. There are dozens of excellent books for young readers published every year, and one committee's choice of the 1, 3, or 5 best is only that: one committee's choice. A different group of readers would undoubtedly make different choices. Reader response theory tells us that we are all reading different books, after all. I do wonder if the emphasis on fiction over non-fiction in children's literature and children's literary awards might be related to the fact that it is mostly women editing these books, presenting them to children, and serving on award committees, at least for NCTE and ALA.

Kathy Isaacs Chair, Sibert 2005

Jill Davis wrote:
Received on Thu 14 Jul 2005 10:21:29 AM CDT