Celebrate Nonfiction

Exploring the Joy of Nonfiction Reading and Writing

Sibert Smackdown 2018/2019

The Sibert Smackdown is an activity intended to build
enthusiasm for the Robert F. Sibert Informational
Book Medal, which is given each year as part of
the American Library Association’s annual Youth Media Awards. It focuses
on picture books because they are more manageable to read in a school setting.

Here’s how it works.

Students in grades 3-8 read the nonfiction picture
books on your class’s Mock Sibert list. You can use the list I’ve compiled
below or you can create your own list. My list includes titles that have strong
kid appeal, will promote good discussions, and can be used as mentor
texts in writing workshop. They reinforce the research techniques and craft moves included in most
State ELA standards.  

 

Adventures
to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students
from Around the World by
Miranda and Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Isabel Muñoz
 


All
that Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff by
Meghan McCarthy

 



Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went From the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, illustrated by Bryan Collier



Joan
Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez, illustrated by
Felicita Sala



Look
at Me! How to Attract Attention in the Animal World
by Steve Jenkins
 

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere
by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by
Katherine Roy

Stretch
to the Sun: From a Tiny Sprout to the Tallest Tree on Earth by
Carrie Pearson, illustrated by Susan Swan


Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale

We
Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorrell, illustrated by Frané Lessac


What
Do You Do with a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Will
some of these books be named on Monday, January 28, 2019, when the Sibert
Medal committee announces its winner and honor titles at the ALA Youth Media
Awards ceremony? Who knows, but I do
have a pretty good track record.

You
may also want to consider titles on the Mock Sibert list created by Alyson Beecher or the narrative and expository Mock Orbis Pictus lists created
by Michele Knott.  Anderson’s Bookshop has also created a Mock Sibert
list that includes picture books as well as middle grade titles.

After reading your Mock Sibert titles, students choose their two favorites and use this worksheet, which you can download from my website, to
evaluate and compare the books before they vote. The worksheet features a kid-friendly version of the criteria used by the real Sibert committee.

I also suggest using the guidelines developed by former
Sibert judge Melody Allen. They are available here, here, and here.

 

I’d also recommend reading this post, which
describes how some educators have modified or enhanced the Sibert Smackdown! in
the past. It’s so important to create learning experiences that are
perfect for your particular students.

I’d
love to hear how your students are progressing, and so would other
participating teachers and librarians. Please use the Twitter hashtag #SibertSmackdown
to share what you are doing.

Happy Reading!

6 Responses

  4. But where's the bigger, more complex nonfiction — stuff for middle grade that's not a picture book? Have we forgotten older n/f? I realize picture books are quicker to read, but Sibert is through 8th grade. Boots On The Ground?

  5. That's a good question. The Sibert Smackdown is a specific activity that I'm continually refining based on feedback from participating schools. I originally focused on grades 3-5, but middle schools expressed interest, so this year I'm including them.

    While each teacher/librarian/school is welcome to create their own list (and the Anderson's list includes many MG titles they can choose from), they repeatedly tell me that that it takes too much time to analyze MG nonfiction in this way. A few have included MG graphic nonfiction titles on their lists.

    When I develop activities, I try to meet students where they are. My hope is that as we see more and more nonfiction children's literature integrated into content area curriculum in middle school and high school, it may be possible to do the Sibert Smackdowm with a mix of picture books and long-form titles, but we just aren't there yet.

top 25 nonfiction blog award
Return to Blog Archive

Most Popular Posts

Topics
top 25 nonfiction blog award
Return to Blog Archive

Most Popular Posts

Topics

© 2001–[current-year] Melissa Stewart. All rights reserved. All materials on this site may be copied for classroom or library use but may not be reprinted or resold for commercial purposes. This website is COPPA compliant. If you are a child under age 13 and wish to contact Melissa Stewart, please use the email address of a teacher, librarian, or parent with that adult’s permission. Webhost Privacy Policy.