Anita Silvey's 'Has the Newbery Lost Its Way?" Sparks Controversy
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 01/08/2009
The economy is tanking. Detroit’s Big Three are quaking. And in the world of children’s book awards, the sparks are flying. According to children’s book expert Anita Silvey, the Newbery Medal, the top prize for children’s literature, has recently been bestowed on books that are snubbed by kids, disappointing to librarians, and have few fans. Silvey’s article “Has the Newbery Lost Its Way?” (which appeared in our October issue) has triggered a debate among critics, librarians, and other book lovers that is rapidly spreading.
In the last few weeks, the Washington Post, the London Guardian, Slate, the Boston Globe, the Columbus Dispatch, and ScrippsNews have each weighed in on the Newbery squabble. But among the first to respond to Silvey’s criticism was Heavy Medal, a mock Newbery blog cowritten by Nina Lindsay, chair of the 2008 Newbery committee, which selected Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz as its winner. The blog is sponsored by SLJ.
Bloomberg.com has also started second-guessing the Newbery winners. And Newbery Medalist Susan Patron has written about the controversy in the Los Angeles Times. For a roundup of the latest Newbery predictions, see Fuse #8.
Who else will weigh in on the rumpus? Check back with us for the latest news. Also, be sure to visit us on Monday, January 26, for complete coverage of the 2009 children’s and young adult winners... and to share your thoughts about the 2009 Newbery winner.
