Novel: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011 Newbery Award)
We had quite animated discussions last night on both books...I think
we were all on a 'sugar high'! Re: the novel, some of us absolutely loved it for
its writing, plotting and storytelling, time/place setting, historical
perspectives, and the amazing amount of research the author obviously had done.
Others absolutely hated it, saying it was contrived, staged, trite,
foreshadowing, (and since I am one of those who loved it, I can't remember the
other adjectives.....sorry.) And a few of our folks were in the middle -- they
loved parts of it, other parts/issues, not so much. We all agreed that it was a
plot-driven rather than a character-driven novel. Since it DID win a Newbery
Award, several people wondered about how the Newbery Committee is selected and
who is chosen to serve on it.
To answer these questions, the following comes
from the ALSC (a division of ALA) Operating Handbook:
All members of the Association for Library Service to Children are
eligible to serve on the Newbery and Caldecott awards committees. The only
restrictions are that a person must agree to be present at the summer and
midwinter meetings at which discussion takes place and at which the selections
are made, and that the person must have ready access to the major part of the
children’s books published during the year under consideration. In addition, a
committee member must not have any personal or business involvement that may
lead to conflict of interest. Finally, ALSC members cannot serve on either the
Newbery Award Selection, Caldecott Award Selection, or Sibert Award Selection,
and Notable Children’s Books Committees more often than once every four years
(with the exception of the chairs). Committee members are chosen for their
experience and represent a broad range of geographical areas as well as sizes
and types of libraries. Members may include special and public librarians,
university educators and professional reviewers.
a) The Newbery Award Committee shall consist of the following
fifteen (15) members: Eight (8) members to be elected (by ALSC members)
annually from a slate of no fewer than sixteen (16), a chairperson appointed by
the (ALSC) president, and six (6) members appointed by the (ALSC) president.
...and, here's the link to an interview with Clare
Vanderpool, author of Moon Over Manifest:
...and, another great interview on the same site with our
own Susan Patron:
Picture Book: 13 Words by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Maira
Kalman
And now, our reactions to our picture book, 13 Words
by Lemony Snicket: Again, we had a complete split in opinions. Some thought
it was terrific, funny, quirky, and something 2nd -- 3rd graders would love,
just because of the complete idiocy of the story. Others felt it would never
have been published if it had not been written by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel
Handler), and that it wasn't really 'a story.' All agreed that the illustrations
were wonderful, and that the book would not have worked without
them.
So....once again, a great evening, great discussions, a
lot of sugar, and, as they say, "A good time was had by all."
