“So I’ve been thinking, I know it’s a terrible thing to do, but I have. Recently the National Book Foundation named their winners for the year 2009. Out of their top 5 in “Young People’s Literature” I’m currently reading Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor and so far I really like it. The book isn’t really what I want to talk about, I’ll do that later, when I’ve finished it.

“But what got me thinking is the National Book Foundation, who are they and what do there awards represent? In my mind this didn’t only apply to the National Book Foundation & their awards, but all of those medallion-ed awards you see on children’s books. Think about it really? How many of us parents/readers out there have been in a book store and seen a shiny silver sticker and thought, ‘Oh, that one must be good, I’ll get it’ ? I’m not ashamed to say I have fallen smack dab into that category before, without even thinking about it.

“Not anymore. My curiosity has gotten the best of me and hopefully to your benefit. For the next twelve months I plan on exploring the “world of awards”, what they mean, where they came from, who’s really behind it and why they should (or shouldn’t) matter to us and our children as readers. My plan is that each month will have a chosen “award”, starting with January 2010. On the first Sunday of each month I’ll give you the history behind the award and the organization promoting it. For the remaining Sundays in the month each will contain a review of a book that has received one of these awards. And the last Sunday of the month I’ll do a wrap up and review everything I’ve learned.

“I do have one problem, I only have eight of the twelve months filled. So, I need your help. Below is my list of awards I’ve gathered in no particular order. All I need is a few recommendations and by next Sunday I’ll have the list finalized. Keep in mind when you are suggesting that I am only interested in Children’s and Young Adult Authors or Illustrators awards of those genres. If there’s one you’ve been dying to learn more about let me know, it may be one I would love to look into also!”

The List:

1. Newbery Medal
2. Caldecott Medal
3. Cybils Awards
4. Odyssey Award
5. Golden Kite Award for Illustrators
6. Sid Fleischman Award
7. IRA Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards
8. National Book Foundation Young People’s Literature Award
9. your choice
10. your choice
11. your choice
12. your choice

“So, what’s it going to be? You tell me, what awards do you want to explore and why?”

Posted in A World of Awards | 3 Comments »

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.