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[CCBC-Net] 2007 Sibert Award
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From: Kathy Johnson <kmquimby>
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:34:59 -0500
As someone who focuses on the young adult, especially high school end of the spectrum, once again this year I notice that the award-winning non-fiction is all intended (or at least labeled) for younger readers. It's very difficult to find non-fiction, especially that is not biography or memoir, that engages teen readers. "To Dance" certainly has subject matter that might appeal to teens--other dancers, but also student athletes who find themselves sidelined by injury at a sport that they intended to pursue in college and for life--but the cover won't appeal to those students.
On a related issue, a colleague has noticed that the large trim size of a number of non-fiction titles often leads them to be shelved in Children's Rooms, where Teens are reluctant to pick them up and read them because they look too much like picture books. The trim size also makes them uncomfortable to hold and read. Since young men are known to prefer non-fiction, this poses a challenge to putting books in their hands.
I'd love to hear people's thoughts and ideas on these questions. Feel free to email me off list, at kmquimby at sover.net
Kathy Q.
Received on Wed 07 Mar 2007 12:34:59 PM CST
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:34:59 -0500
As someone who focuses on the young adult, especially high school end of the spectrum, once again this year I notice that the award-winning non-fiction is all intended (or at least labeled) for younger readers. It's very difficult to find non-fiction, especially that is not biography or memoir, that engages teen readers. "To Dance" certainly has subject matter that might appeal to teens--other dancers, but also student athletes who find themselves sidelined by injury at a sport that they intended to pursue in college and for life--but the cover won't appeal to those students.
On a related issue, a colleague has noticed that the large trim size of a number of non-fiction titles often leads them to be shelved in Children's Rooms, where Teens are reluctant to pick them up and read them because they look too much like picture books. The trim size also makes them uncomfortable to hold and read. Since young men are known to prefer non-fiction, this poses a challenge to putting books in their hands.
I'd love to hear people's thoughts and ideas on these questions. Feel free to email me off list, at kmquimby at sover.net
Kathy Q.
Received on Wed 07 Mar 2007 12:34:59 PM CST
