Comments on: It takes 15 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/ A Mock Newbery Blog Sat, 08 Jun 2013 20:41:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-103078 Jonathan Hunt Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:43:55 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-103078 I'm catching up belatedly . . . Roxanne, thanks for this piece of information! I think it explains the addition of a 7th nomination. In the past, committee members had to be prepared to discuss suggestions *and* nominations in January--which could easily be around a hundred books, give or take. With 7 nominations per committee member, you can still max out at 105, but the number is more likely to be half of that number, making the rereading in December and January more focused and effective. I’m catching up belatedly . . . Roxanne, thanks for this piece of information! I think it explains the addition of a 7th nomination. In the past, committee members had to be prepared to discuss suggestions *and* nominations in January–which could easily be around a hundred books, give or take. With 7 nominations per committee member, you can still max out at 105, but the number is more likely to be half of that number, making the rereading in December and January more focused and effective.

]]> By: Roxanne Feldman http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102838 Roxanne Feldman Sun, 23 Sep 2012 20:31:50 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102838 This year.. it's 3 + 2 + 2 in October, November, and December. In the first/middle part of each month. We do have a later discussion time frame so it will allow for the committee members to re-read many (or all) titles. Just want to add that the Committee Members also have been "suggesting" books to each other every month so we have plenty of titles to read and consider. When I served in 2001/2002, the rule was that even if a title was not nominated, it was still eligible for a last look at Midwinter in the discussion room as long as it was "suggested." But, I believe that rule was changed to ONLY the nominated titles would be discussed and looked at. So, 7 nominations per committee members mean: the minimum of 7 titles to consider (if EVERYONE nominates the EXACT seven books -- which, of course, NEVER happens); and the maximum of 105 titles to read/re-read/discuss -- which, I believe, also will NOT happen since there are definitely going to be some overlapping... I am predicting (or hoping for) a number between 45 and 60... which will still be daunting given the limited time frame but will be workable. And, by the way, a Newbery committee's success (IMO) is not that the members "have picked the right books" to satisfy the reading and teaching masses, but that we all stay on course, that we have a diligent and kind but firm Chair (which I'm lucky to have had and now am having,) and that we all respect each other's varied tastes and concerns and conduct our discussions passionately but also professionally. Now, back to reading this month's suggestions and figuring out what three books I'm going to nominate (and start writing the nomination paragraphs soon!) This year.. it’s 3 + 2 + 2 in October, November, and December. In the first/middle part of each month. We do have a later discussion time frame so it will allow for the committee members to re-read many (or all) titles. Just want to add that the Committee Members also have been “suggesting” books to each other every month so we have plenty of titles to read and consider. When I served in 2001/2002, the rule was that even if a title was not nominated, it was still eligible for a last look at Midwinter in the discussion room as long as it was “suggested.” But, I believe that rule was changed to ONLY the nominated titles would be discussed and looked at.

So, 7 nominations per committee members mean: the minimum of 7 titles to consider (if EVERYONE nominates the EXACT seven books — which, of course, NEVER happens); and the maximum of 105 titles to read/re-read/discuss — which, I believe, also will NOT happen since there are definitely going to be some overlapping… I am predicting (or hoping for) a number between 45 and 60… which will still be daunting given the limited time frame but will be workable.

And, by the way, a Newbery committee’s success (IMO) is not that the members “have picked the right books” to satisfy the reading and teaching masses, but that we all stay on course, that we have a diligent and kind but firm Chair (which I’m lucky to have had and now am having,) and that we all respect each other’s varied tastes and concerns and conduct our discussions passionately but also professionally. Now, back to reading this month’s suggestions and figuring out what three books I’m going to nominate (and start writing the nomination paragraphs soon!)

]]> By: Nina http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102654 Nina Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:14:31 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102654 It was 3+3 for the 2008 committee (2007 books). The change was made, I believe, the following year. It was 3+3 for the 2008 committee (2007 books). The change was made, I believe, the following year.

]]> By: Martha http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102652 Martha Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:36:15 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102652 I think Nina can testify for the 2008 committee ;) I think Nina can testify for the 2008 committee ;)

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102650 Jonathan Hunt Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:32:31 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102650 It is 3+2+2+7. When I was on in 2006, it was 3+3=6. It sounds like they had made the change by 2008. Anyone from 2007 want to weigh in? It is 3+2+2+7. When I was on in 2006, it was 3+3=6. It sounds like they had made the change by 2008. Anyone from 2007 want to weigh in?

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102645 Jonathan Hunt Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:50:17 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102645 Ack! Will have to check on my next break, but I think it's 3+2+2=7. I think they got an extra nomination, but only two in December . . . Ack! Will have to check on my next break, but I think it’s 3+2+2=7. I think they got an extra nomination, but only two in December . . .

]]> By: Martha http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102644 Martha Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:43:14 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102644 I didn't know they changed the number of nominations per committee member! Interesting. But... is it 3 plus 3 plus 2 for a total of 8, though? or maybe it's 3 plus 2 plus2 for a total of 7? I didn’t know they changed the number of nominations per committee member! Interesting.

But… is it 3 plus 3 plus 2 for a total of 8, though?
or maybe it’s 3 plus 2 plus2 for a total of 7?

]]> By: DaNae http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102643 DaNae Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:29:03 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102643 Perfect. Now I just need to confirm our location and I think our first annul big-person Northern Utah Mock will be ready to take off. Perfect. Now I just need to confirm our location and I think our first annul big-person Northern Utah Mock will be ready to take off.

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102642 Jonathan Hunt Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:26:30 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102642 There isn't a recommended date within that month. That's the discretion of the chair, but I think most of them do shoot for on or about the 15th. I think the dates that ALA Midwinter is held could influence the deadline as well, especially for the December nominations. This year Midwinter is quite late (Jan 28th) so you might be okay with a Dec 15 or even Dec 22 deadline. Other years you might want to push it up to Dec 7. People want enough time to reflect and reread. There isn’t a recommended date within that month. That’s the discretion of the chair, but I think most of them do shoot for on or about the 15th. I think the dates that ALA Midwinter is held could influence the deadline as well, especially for the December nominations. This year Midwinter is quite late (Jan 28th) so you might be okay with a Dec 15 or even Dec 22 deadline. Other years you might want to push it up to Dec 7. People want enough time to reflect and reread.

]]> By: DaNae http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2012/09/19/it-takes-15/#comment-102641 DaNae Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:02:02 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/?p=2473#comment-102641 Thanks, Jonathan. Is there a recommended date for each month? I'm thinking the middle, but I wouldn't mind narrowing it down right at the beginning. Thanks, Jonathan. Is there a recommended date for each month? I’m thinking the middle, but I wouldn’t mind narrowing it down right at the beginning.

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