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.
Action! How Movies Began by Meghan McCarthy
Because Claudette by Tracey
Baptiste and Tonya Engel
Blue: A History of the Color as
Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana
Ekua Brew-Hammond and Daniel Minter
Footprints Across the Planet by Jennifer
Swanson
Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill by Matt Lilley and Dan Tavis
Fighting for YES! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann by Maryann Cocoa-Leffler and Vivien Mildenberger
If You’re a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin
Grimm, Kyle Lukoff, and J Yang
One Million Trees: A True Story by
Kristen Balouch
A Perfect Fit: How Lena “Lane” Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion by Mira
Rockliff and Juana Martinez-Neal
Pizza! A Slice of History by
Greg Pizzoli
The Universe in You by Jason
Chin
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
some of these books be named on Monday, January 30, 2023, 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
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!
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