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, select titles from Anderson’s
Bookshop list, or
create your own list. My
list includes a dozen 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.
Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of
Ancient Cave Art by Hannah Salyer
Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers and Il Sung Na
The Book of Turtles Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson
Butt or Face? A Hilarious Animal Guessing Game Book for Kids by Kari Lavelle
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered
What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten Larson and Katherine
Roy
The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music by Roberta Flack, Tonya Bolden, and Hayden Goodman
How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison
Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine: Josephine Cochrane’s Bright
Invention Makes a Splash by Kate Hannigan and Sarah Green
Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan
Nature Is a Sculptor: Weathering and Erosion by Heather Ferranti Kinser
Rise to the Sky: How the World’s tallest Trees Grow Up by Rebecca Hirsch and Mia Posada
To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil
Rights by Angela Dalton and Lauren Semmer
Will
some of these books be named on Monday, January 22, 2024, 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.
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.
And I’d recommend reading some of the
following posts in which educators describe their past experiences with the
Sibert Smackdown, including how they
modified or enhanced it. It’s so
important to create learning
experiences that are perfect for your particular students.
The Lowdown on Our Smackdown
by Galiah Morgenstern
The Lowdown on Our
Smackdown by Mandy Robek
The Low Down on Our
Smackdown by Patti Francis
The Low Down on Our
Smackdown by Kate Narita
The
Low Down on Our Smackdown by Meredith Inkeles
Sibert
Book Club Shines a Light on Nonfiction by Jessica Fries-Gaither
I’d love
to hear how your students are progressing, and so would other participating
teachers and librarians. Please use the Bluesky hashtag #SibertSmackdown or tag me to share what you’re doing.
Happy
Reading!
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