From: Elizabeth Bluemle <ehbluemle_at_gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:07:10 -0500

As Jonathan kindly and quietly pointed out to me, the detailed criteria for the Newbery contains this point:

2. Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.

Whoops!

So much for hasty questioning. (I do think it's odd that Wanda Gag won a Newbery; her language is wonderful, but the book and art are so married.)

Sorry, Jonathan. Will exercise due diligence in the future. : )

Cheers, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bluemle bookseller, author, blogger, abc pres., eater of bread and chocolate bookseller: www.flyingpigbooks.com author: www.elizabethbluemle.com blogger: www.publishersweekly.com/shelftalker abc: www.abfc.com bread & chocolate: far be it from me to dictate

On Thu, Jan 14, 2010 at 9:45 AM, Hunt, Jonathan wrote:

Lisa,

I'm curious how you facilitate a discussion with 89 5th and 6th graders! Are they all in the same discussion or do they break out into individual groups? Do you use weighted voting until 45 of them agree on the same book with a 45 point spread? Just curious!

I'm doing my mock Newbery with about fifteen students today. Our shortlist has ten books, but I think it's a two-horse race between WHEN YOU REACH ME and THE LAST OLYMPIAN.

Jonathan

---

Received on Fri 15 Jan 2010 12:07:10 PM CST