From: Jason Low <jlow_at_leeandlow.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:22:27 -0500

Debbie makes an excellent point. In order to be sit on the CBC diversity committee or have your books included on any of their recommended lists one has to be a member of CBC. The dues required for membership are simply cost prohibitive. Since our discussion about the lack of Latino books makes it clear that many of today's and future books about Latinos and other minorities will predominantly come from small, independent publishers, it is likely that the CBC generated lists will remain incomplete for the foreseeable future.

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Jason Low Publisher 
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But... Unless a book is published by one of the members of CBC, the book won't be included on their CBC Diversity bookshelf. 
You can't find Julia Alvarez's RETURN TO SENDER on their lists because its publisher isn't a member of CBC. A lot of books that win the Belpre and Tomas Rivera awards aren't on their list. A lot of them are small publishers who can't afford to do much at all in terms of promoting their books. 
I understand the idea that CBC's goal is to promote books by its publishers, but I wish their Diversity Committee could put that criteria aside for the Diversity Bookshelf, particularly as we see a decline in books by authors of color. I think it is important for librarians and teachers to know that their shelf has gaps in it. 
Debbie 

Received on Wed 13 Feb 2013 11:22:27 AM CST