What Makes An Award Winning Book?

Through my reading, on the American Library Association's website, the specifics and determination of quality literature is left open for interpretation to the committee members. There are few requirements that are set in stone such as the text being published in the United States. But other criteria is very open such as "Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept".  Despite the fact that the word "excellence" states something extraordinary or above average, what is "excellent" means is left to the individual.

 Listed on the site is all of the current committee members which have a voice in the selection of the submitted texts. Scrolling through the list, I couldn't help but to question the qualifications of each member. What makes each individual qualified to rate and compare children's literature among one another? The manuals and guidelines, thoroughly cover the concerns of conflict in interest among the committee members (pertaining to the nominated books), but it does not state that the members need to have a background in children's literature. Although it can be assumed, that the president would only select members that are highly knowledgeable in children's literature it is not stated as such.

Just as many award systems, the honor and medal winners are subjectively chosen by the board members at that time.The qualifications for the literature for both Newberry and Caldecott awards seem to be aligin with one another. Both require the book to be written or illustrated by an American that has been published within  one year within it's nomination. Although the Caldecott's primary focus are the illustrations, the story elements are also considered. This ensures that the text and pictures work together to create a high quality book for children.

The last information, I have learned in the exploration of the website is that anyone can submit a book for either award just by mailing it in. I had originally thought that books were sought out by members and then nominated. This is not the case however, the board members still nominate the books which will be considered but it is done through books submitted by the public. This system allows a more diverse and larger range of people to have a say in the award winning books.

The awards' regulations are all determined by theAmerican Library Association. Learn more about the American Library Association by following their Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ALALibrary or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanLibraryAssociation?fref=ts