This afternoon a group of six dedicated children's book readers gathered to discuss a long list of children's informational titles published in 2009. We learned a lot from each other and from our discussion about authority, documentation, organization, clarity, presentation style and more! In the end, we selected our Mock Sibert Award winner and two honor books.2010 MOCK SIBERT AWARD WINNER
The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. TurnerHoughton Mifflin Books for Children
2010 MOCK SIBERT HONOR BOOKS
Redwoods by Jason Chin
Congratulations to our mock winners, and thanks to everyone who participated in this year's program!
2 comments:
Oh, great choices!
Dear Mock Sibert Committee members,
Thank you SO very much for honoring my book THE FROG SCIENTIST as the winner of the ACPL Mock Sibert. I am absolutely thrilled!
I first learned about Tyrone through an article in the San Francisco Chronicle describing his findings about the feminization of male frogs. It all seemed perfect for a "Scientists in the Field"--frogs, so familiar to children and a great "backyard" subject; the opportunity to show the intersection of science and public policy; Tyrone's own inspiring personal story; a chance to show real-world experimental design; and an environmental health topic which dovetailed nicely with my own background in public health. My former editor wasn't interested, but when she left the new editor (the wonderful Erica Zappy) dug the clipping out of an old file and asked me how soon I could plant a proposal on her desk. "Wait," I said, "Tyrone doesn't even know I exist." So I set up a meeting with him later that week in his lab at Berkeley. When Tyrone opened the door he stared at my jewelry--I was wearing long, blue, sparkly earrings--and the first thing he said was "Hey! I have those same earrings!"
I knew at that moment THE FROG SCIENTIST was meant to be--and it would be a fun.
My ultimate dream is for Tyrone to call me in about five or six years, happily complaining that 300 young people are banging on his lab door, many of them persons of color, saying they decided to become scientists after reading THE FROG SCIENTIST in middle school.
Thank you for all you've done to make my dream come true. And thank you for your continuing efforts to promote children's nonfiction.
Gratefully,
Pam Turner
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