Comments on: The Whys & Wherefores of the Printz Award, Part 1 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/ by Karyn Silverman and Sarah Couri Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:03:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: The Printz Award: What Does It Mean to Be Excellent in YA? « Annie Cardi http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/#comment-7421 The Printz Award: What Does It Mean to Be Excellent in YA? « Annie Cardi Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:48:53 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/?p=1230#comment-7421 [...] My Printz Will Come, which takes a look at YA lit and the award throughout the year, has a great series going about what the award actually is. One of the big issues raised is [...] [...] My Printz Will Come, which takes a look at YA lit and the award throughout the year, has a great series going about what the award actually is. One of the big issues raised is [...]

]]> By: Jonathan Hunt http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/#comment-7384 Jonathan Hunt Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:05:23 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/?p=1230#comment-7384 What I want to know--and which we probably never will--is this: Has any committee ever actually picked an Honor book that was not on their winning ballot? Theoretically, the committee can do it (and it's very appealing in that way), but I think it's practically impossible. What I want to know–and which we probably never will–is this: Has any committee ever actually picked an Honor book that was not on their winning ballot? Theoretically, the committee can do it (and it’s very appealing in that way), but I think it’s practically impossible.

]]> By: Hope Baugh http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/#comment-7382 Hope Baugh Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:28:30 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/?p=1230#comment-7382 I find "committee think" and all kinds of award processes fascinating. I served four years on the Alex Award committee and during part of that time I served as a judge of Encore Association community theatre productions in Indianapolis. I loved the intense conversations that were part of being on the Alex, and I learned so much from them! I was surprised that my theatre colleagues made a point of NOT discussing our experiences, only nominating and voting, all by secret ballot. I knew that they took our jobs very seriously, as did I, and I understood that they were trying to guard against any accusations of favoritism or unfair influence or personalizing or whatever. Unlike me, most of the judges had 'home theatres" where they directed and/or performed or otherwise participated in the years they weren't judging. I also understood that they didn't want to add to the already burdensome time commitment. It was challenging enough for everyone just to make time to see all of the shows. Still... I treasure that year that I was an Encore judge because I got to see a lot of shows for free; I learned a lot about the 11 member theatres; and I honed my ability to articulate for myself what makes a theatre piece work well. But I was disappointed not to have had the opportunity to learn more from my fellow and sister judges. To experience "committee think" with them. I would probably have a hard time as an Olympics judge or beauty pageant judge, too, come to think of it. I love Karyn's description of the Printz committee's process: "There is room for passion and love, but in the end, this is about intellectual engagement." I find “committee think” and all kinds of award processes fascinating.

I served four years on the Alex Award committee and during part of that time I served as a judge of Encore Association community theatre productions in Indianapolis.

I loved the intense conversations that were part of being on the Alex, and I learned so much from them! I was surprised that my theatre colleagues made a point of NOT discussing our experiences, only nominating and voting, all by secret ballot.

I knew that they took our jobs very seriously, as did I, and I understood that they were trying to guard against any accusations of favoritism or unfair influence or personalizing or whatever. Unlike me, most of the judges had ‘home theatres” where they directed and/or performed or otherwise participated in the years they weren’t judging. I also understood that they didn’t want to add to the already burdensome time commitment. It was challenging enough for everyone just to make time to see all of the shows.

Still…

I treasure that year that I was an Encore judge because I got to see a lot of shows for free; I learned a lot about the 11 member theatres; and I honed my ability to articulate for myself what makes a theatre piece work well. But I was disappointed not to have had the opportunity to learn more from my fellow and sister judges. To experience “committee think” with them.

I would probably have a hard time as an Olympics judge or beauty pageant judge, too, come to think of it.

I love Karyn’s description of the Printz committee’s process: “There is room for passion and love, but in the end, this is about intellectual engagement.”

]]> By: Karyn Silverman http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/#comment-7376 Karyn Silverman Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:09:47 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/?p=1230#comment-7376 Yes! That moment when you look at the nominations, and you look at a book you love, maybe your favorite of the year (or just favorite, bar none), and you let it go? It's a real growth moment. It's a critical part of the process; we've talked a lot about getting past your own baggage, and that is one of the big moments when you move past personal and into committee think, and it's that alchemy of all the people involved that really makes the award. Yes! That moment when you look at the nominations, and you look at a book you love, maybe your favorite of the year (or just favorite, bar none), and you let it go? It’s a real growth moment. It’s a critical part of the process; we’ve talked a lot about getting past your own baggage, and that is one of the big moments when you move past personal and into committee think, and it’s that alchemy of all the people involved that really makes the award.

]]> By: Sarah Flowers http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2012/09/06/the-whys-wherefores-of-the-printz-award-part-1/#comment-7368 Sarah Flowers Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:36:42 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/?p=1230#comment-7368 Karyn, this is a pretty accurate description of the committee from my experience (2004). We didn't have an administrative assistant (we had uber-chair Pam Spencer Holley), and our Booklist consultant did contribute to the discussions, but other than that, you are right on. I think it's a natural tendency to want to nominate lots of titles early on, because you can't wait to get going, and also because you don't have a lot to compare with at that point. I also happen to know that the current committee is, in fact, making use of ALA Connect as a platform to discuss and keep track of their books. It has the advantage over email discussions of keeping everything better organized and easier to find when you want to go back to something. One of the most fascinating things to me about the Printz experience was seeing how books that I loved--loved!--fell to the side during the consensus process. It really is a 9-person process, and naturally the personalities and experiences of the particular nine people sitting around the table is going to make a huge difference in the outcome. Looking forward to the discussion! Karyn, this is a pretty accurate description of the committee from my experience (2004). We didn’t have an administrative assistant (we had uber-chair Pam Spencer Holley), and our Booklist consultant did contribute to the discussions, but other than that, you are right on. I think it’s a natural tendency to want to nominate lots of titles early on, because you can’t wait to get going, and also because you don’t have a lot to compare with at that point. I also happen to know that the current committee is, in fact, making use of ALA Connect as a platform to discuss and keep track of their books. It has the advantage over email discussions of keeping everything better organized and easier to find when you want to go back to something.

One of the most fascinating things to me about the Printz experience was seeing how books that I loved–loved!–fell to the side during the consensus process. It really is a 9-person process, and naturally the personalities and experiences of the particular nine people sitting around the table is going to make a huge difference in the outcome.

Looking forward to the discussion!

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