The Oscars of Children's Books Are Announced!

Today, in a ceremony not unlike the press conference that replaced the usually garish Golden Globe awards on Sunday evening, the American Library Association announced the 2008 winners of the Newbery & Caldecott Awards, or what are referred to within the industry as the "Oscars of children's books." Every year one Newbery Award for an outstanding contribution to the middle-grade (ages 8 - 12) genre, as well as numerous Newbery Honor medals, are bestowed upon the year's "best." Past award winners include such legends as Kate DiCamillo, Ann M. Martin, Lois Lowry, and Katherine Paterson to name a few, as well as newcomers, like 2005's winner for Kira-Kira, Cynthia Kadohata, and last year's The Higher Power of Lucky author, Susan Patron, whose win caused murmurs in the major houses. I remember more than a few raised eyebrows and polite, yet perplexed whispers of, "who?" and "did you read that book?" floating around the conference room where my co-workers and I watched the live telecast. It didn't help that soon after the ceremony ended we all found out that Susan used to be a former librarian causing conspiracy theories to abound.

The Caldecott medal, which according to the American Library Association's (ALA) website is, "awarded to the artist of the most distinguished picture books for children," tends to be less controversial. Or has been for at least for as long as I've been in publishing.  Generally, from my experience, industry insiders tend to have some idea of who will win in some capacity or another.

So, what's all the controversy over the Newbery? Well, often times obscure books -- those quiet, well-reviewed titles overlooked by nearly everyone -- end up winning. Now, does that mean that these represent the best of good fiction? Like all award-winners and the varied opinions of people who read them, no. I've read some excellent, good, mediocre, and even downright awful books that have been named the read of the year. 

However good or bad, after a book is named a Newbery or Caldecott winner or Honor book, a flurry of publicity begins. The winners are hastily flown to NYC to be interviewed on the Today Show by a confused Matt Lauer or a mistaken Ann Curry, whose pronunciation of any last name seems to cause her great difficulty. At the very least--for those almost winners who just missed out on a hefty sum of cash--congratulatory announcement ads are run and second or third printings of the book are ordered. Publishing executives and editors receive congratulatory phone calls and emails all the while claiming little surprise, after all, the book was a shoo-in. Did you see the starred reviews in School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and even from the ever-crabby Kirkus? 

Okay, I know, get to the point. Well, I guess it's this. Public opinion is varied and fickle. You just can't predict what types of books people are going to like. And that's where writers and publishers are on the same side. As writers we're constantly wondering who our audience is, even though time and time again we're told not to modify the plot or premise of our book by thinking too much about what may, "sell." Publishers are also left to wonder what the book-reading audience is looking for though in truth they don't so much dictate, but instead follow the trends in children's literature until the wave comes crashing down and there's a glut of fantasy titles in the market all claiming to be the "next Harry Potter." So here's my vote: writers, write on as you please and publishers, expand your acceptances and offerings, because during award season it becomes clear that there isn't a magical character, plot, or winning combination of both that will appeal to all. * 

*Case in point, this year's National Book Award winner, Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Today, it was shut out of the Printz Award which, "exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature."