Okay, Maryland friends. I need you.
I've read for the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (our state book award) for the past five years. It's been a great opportunity to read what's current in children's literature, to suggest selections that I (we) think our Maryland students would love, and to support literacy and kid's choice for thousands of children throughout the state.
After serving on the young novel committee (grades 4-6) and picture book committee, I'm turning my efforts to a new endeavor that I hope will continue to reach thousands of Maryland students while, at the same time, supporting libraries and librarians across the state.
The MASL board, with the support of the BES Reading Committees, is allowing a group of readers to pilot a graphic novel award for grades 3-5. Here's the official email, sent from BES Chair Pat Goff. I hope you'll consider joining us. It will be a big win for our students if we can get this award off the ground!
Are you interested in graphic novels? Have you started a GN collection in your library? If so, you may be interested in joining the NEW Black-Eyed Susan Graphic Novel Award committee!
Matthew Winner will faciltate this sub-committee of the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award program. The committee will meet monthly, beginning in August or September, to develop criteria and begin selecting titles. An application is attached and should be returned directly to Matthew.Application:
Application for BES Graphic Novel Committee (Grades 3-5)
Name: _______________________________________________________
School: ______________________________________________________
County: ______________________________________________________
Preferred Email Address: ________________________________________
Preferred Phone Number: ________________________________________
· Description of school population:
· How do you use graphic novels in your library?
· What is your favorite graphic novel for students in grades 3-5 and why?
· Why are you interested in joining the Black-Eyed Susan Graphic Novel reading committee?
· We consider any book published in the last three years as we begin to consider books for our 2013-2014 list. What title would you recommend for the list and what are the reasons for your choice?
*Please submit your application to Matthew Winner at mwinne2@gmail.com no later than August 12, 2012.It's an easy application to complete. You need only:
- Have a passion about graphic novels and an interest in getting them into more Maryland schools. AND
- Be a member of MASL.
If interested, please complete an application online or email me directly.
If you're not from Maryland, we'll still graciously accept support, cheering on, title suggestions, and other ways of helping make this pilot a success.
I know you graphic novel lovers are out there. We've just got to band together to help make something awesome for our kids!
I would love to participate, but as a grad student, I am ineligible. For ages I have wondered why MASL didnt include graphic novels. Thank you for fighting the good fight!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Amanda! You need to hurry up and graduate so you can start being an active member of MASL! In the meantime, though, please feel free to email me title suggestions. We'll read and consider whatever you (and others) suggest.
Delete- Matthew
Is there going to be a BES Graphic Novel pilot for other age groups as well? So thrilled!
ReplyDeleteSarah,
DeleteThe plan is to pilot the award in grades 3-5 this year, work out kinks, celebrate successes, and try to expand the following year into middle and (fingers crossed) high school. You should join us this year! If things go well, we'll need others to lead the new groups!
- Matthew