From: Hunt, Jonathan <Hunt.Jo_at_monet.k12.ca.us>
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:34:29 -0800

In our discussions at SLJ's Heavy Medal blog this past year, we looked long and hard for picture book and easy reader texts that were worthy of Newbery consideration, and found two--THE DUNDERHEADS and MOONSHOT--that people felt had as good a shot as anything. However, some people remained unconvinced about either book, finding neither of them sufficiently distinguished. Many people also found it nearly impossible to compare these shorter texts and longer texts under the terms of the Newbery criteria.

And yet three ALA committees did find a way to compare shorter and longer texts--with the former being honored. First, the Coretta Scott King committee selected BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS over MARE'S WAR for the Author Award. Second, the Batchelder committee saw fit to recognize BIG WOLF & LITTLE WOLF as an Honor book. And finally, the Sibert committee recognized THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS and MOONSHOT over longer texts like MARCHING FOR FREEDOM (Notables and BBYA), WRITTEN IN BONE (Notables, BBYA Top Ten, YALSA Nonfiction finalist), and THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM (Notables, BBYA, YALSA Nonfiction finalist).

I find the Sibert committee's choices particularly interesting--not because I quibble with the picture book nonfiction; I don't--but for those people who don't think THE DUNDERHEADS or MOONSHOT could beat out one of the novels that were recognized by the Newbery committee, I would ask them how THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS and MOONSHOT could beat out MARCHING FOR FREEDOM, WRITTEN IN BONE, and THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM.

Jonathan (who gets the list in digest form)
Received on Mon 08 Feb 2010 08:34:29 AM CST