Hosting Your Own Mock Awards

Yesterday, the Youth Media Awards were announced.  Here’s a secret—as of writing this, I don’t know the winners yet.  However, I do know that each year, there are books that I cheer on, and books that I discover due to their Award win. 

Each year, I also very much enjoy reading the ALSC Blog Mock YMA Elections Results Page to see the outcomes of libraries and schools around the country who have held their own Mock Awards. 

Guess what?  If yours isn’t hosting one, you CAN.

I’m not the first to suggest you do so on this blog.  Melissa Sokol (who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting) wrote this article in 2019, and it’s great!  I’m going to focus on the Caldecott and Newbury Awards, but you can hold a Mock Award for any of the wonderful categories announced yesterday. 

Thing is…you can start NOW for next year’s Mocks.  Decide on an award(s) and keep a spreadsheet of books you’ve read that might fit the award.  I cannot recommend enough reading the Heavy Medal blog for Newbury Award ideas and Calling Caldecott for…the Caldecott!  Other places I look for book suggestions is A Kids Book a Day blog, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf.

Around November, you’ll want to narrow down your reading list to approximately 5-8 books per award.  Make sure the books are eligible and review Award Criteria on the ALSC website (Newbury; Caldecott).  Gather interested librarians and set a date for early to mid-January for your Mock Award! 

My colleague Mary Schreiber, who has led the Mocks at my library system for years, sent this really helpful article Horn Book article about discussion guidelines.  We always try to start with the positives and then move on to concerns.

And, of course, when you are done, go to the ALSC blog and post your results!  Now is the time to start thinking about next year!  Happy reading in 2025!

This post addresses the core competencies of IV. Knowledge, Curation, and Management of Materials and VII. Professionalism and Professional Development.  

The post Hosting Your Own Mock Awards appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Yesterday, the Youth Media Awards were announced.  Here’s a secret—as of writing this, I don’t know the winners yet.  However, I do know that each year, there are books that I cheer on, and books that I discover due to their Award win.  Each year, I also very much enjoy reading the ALSC Blog Mock YMA Elections Results Page to see the outcomes of libraries and schools around the country who have held their own Mock Awards.  Guess what?  If yours isn’t hosting one, you CAN. I’m not the first to suggest you do so on this blog.  Melissa Sokol (who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting) wrote this article in 2019, and it’s great!  I’m going to focus on the Caldecott and Newbury Awards, but you can hold a Mock Award for any of the wonderful categories announced yesterday.  Thing is…you can start NOW for next year’s Mocks.  Decide…
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