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[CCBC-Net] fiction vs. nonfiction on Mock Newbery lists
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From: Rita Auerbach <rita.auerbach>
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:54:43 -0500
In my experience, Newbery committees are on the lookout for nonfiction. The first time I was on the committee, we gave an honor award to a nonfiction book, and when I was on more recently we discussed a number of nonfiction books. One of my concerns is that the belief that nonfiction will not be so recognized becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as publishers send many fewer nonfiction titles to the Newbery committee than they do to Notables. While the committee is nonetheless committed to looking at everything eligible published during the year, there is no question that books are likely to receive more attention when they are received from publishers. I have never believed that the creation of the Sibert Award made it less likely that Newbery committees would recognize nonfiction, but people unfortunately make that assumption and it troubles me that the assumption can take on a life of its own. Rita Auerbach
----- Original Message ----- From: "Susanna Reich" <reichgolio at verizon.net> To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu> Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:11 PM Subject: [CCBC-Net] fiction vs. nonfiction on Mock Newbery lists
> In looking over the Mock Newbery lists that were posted recently, I was
> struck by how few nonfiction books were on the lists of books that kids
> were asked to read. How does this reflect the biases of those doing the
> choosing? We know that nonfiction books hardly ever win the Newbery
> (and that is one reason the Sibert was created). Is it because we think
> fiction is harder to write? Or that novels are more significant literary
> accomplishments? Having written both fiction and nonfiction, I can
> attest to the fact that both are difficult to do well, but they present
> different challenges to the writer. I'd love to hear people's thoughts
> on this.
> Susanna
Received on Thu 17 Jan 2008 09:54:43 PM CST
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:54:43 -0500
In my experience, Newbery committees are on the lookout for nonfiction. The first time I was on the committee, we gave an honor award to a nonfiction book, and when I was on more recently we discussed a number of nonfiction books. One of my concerns is that the belief that nonfiction will not be so recognized becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as publishers send many fewer nonfiction titles to the Newbery committee than they do to Notables. While the committee is nonetheless committed to looking at everything eligible published during the year, there is no question that books are likely to receive more attention when they are received from publishers. I have never believed that the creation of the Sibert Award made it less likely that Newbery committees would recognize nonfiction, but people unfortunately make that assumption and it troubles me that the assumption can take on a life of its own. Rita Auerbach
----- Original Message ----- From: "Susanna Reich" <reichgolio at verizon.net> To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu> Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:11 PM Subject: [CCBC-Net] fiction vs. nonfiction on Mock Newbery lists
> In looking over the Mock Newbery lists that were posted recently, I was
> struck by how few nonfiction books were on the lists of books that kids
> were asked to read. How does this reflect the biases of those doing the
> choosing? We know that nonfiction books hardly ever win the Newbery
> (and that is one reason the Sibert was created). Is it because we think
> fiction is harder to write? Or that novels are more significant literary
> accomplishments? Having written both fiction and nonfiction, I can
> attest to the fact that both are difficult to do well, but they present
> different challenges to the writer. I'd love to hear people's thoughts
> on this.
> Susanna
Received on Thu 17 Jan 2008 09:54:43 PM CST
