Theme: Young people's book award
Book reviews are an essential tool for librarians who rely on them to fill the gaps in, for what they cannot get to read themselves. Equally librarians by necessity become book reviewers when they recommend books for their clients either in person, via social media or more formal mechanisms such as newsletters or book suggestion lists. For this activity I have chosen to review a children’s book that I believe is likely to become very well known when or if it wins the upcoming Newbery Medal to be announced on the 2nd of February.
This particular award is given to the most distinguished original contribution to American children’s literature and is without doubt the most prestigious such award in the US. Some of the works which have won the Newbery or been awarded an honour in previous years include Charlotte's Web (1953) Bridge to Terabithia (1978), The Giver (1994), and Holes (1999). Although it is American in orientation it is influential in other countries. In America, a Newbery Medal guarantees a bestseller as every library, school and reading list will feature the title.
This year brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is considered the frontrunner. In the USA speculation about the Newbery Medal winner is rife and serious. There are innumerable websites and blogs dedicated to discussing the shortlist and trying to predict the winner. Most serious reviewers will rate the contenders, and interested public members also participate, for example on the Goodreads website there is a 'Mock Newbery' discussion and reading group.
brown girl dreaming is highly regarded as a superb piece of literature. It has been ‘starred’ by at least six of the most influential review publication and this is considered a portent of success. It is an autobiography of the author who is African-American and set against the civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Diversity in books has been a major theme this year and some have suggested that this may strengthen this book’s appeal. In addition some reviewers have suggested that as a 3 time Honour book winner this could be the year for the author to finally win.
I enjoyed researching the Newbery Medal and thinking about the place that awards and reviewing books plays in my professional life however I found writing a review is not easy. To get some ideas I looked at some reviews from literature magazine such as Literature base, Magpies and Good Reading magazine. I also ‘googled’ some book review sites. Whilst writing the facts of the review are easy, what is difficult, is trying to describe the writing style without sounding laboured or overblown. I was also concerned to try and make the review interesting and meaningful beyond the basics of plot and structure. After reading some professional reviews that flowed so well that I realised I have some way to go. Like everything it is a matter of practice and finding your ‘voice’. I would consider writing a review for a magazine and may contact Magpies or a company like Pledger for more information.
Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen.
To read the book review Click here
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