SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Book Discussion
  • Heavy Medal Mock
  • Process

October 23, 2008 by Nina Lindsay

“Graveyard Book” ineligible after all?

October 23, 2008 by Nina Lindsay   6 comments

Thanks, Lisa @ the Eva Perry Mock Newbery Club, for alerting us to the fact that The Graveyard Book might be ineligible after all, as one chapter ("The Witch’s Headstone") was included in Gaiman’s M is for Magic last year. I’ve placed a hold on that book so that I can compare the previously published version to the current one. 

Even if only a portion of a book has been previously published, that can indeed disqualify it under the "published in the preceeding year" and "original work" definitions of the the Terms. An eligibility question like this would be resolved between the committee Chair and the Priority Group Consultant (an appointed position in ALSC, who acts as support for all the award committee chairs, and is their line of communication to the ALSC leadership should that be necessary. Occasionally, tricky eligibility questions will get a final ruling from the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Chair and Priority Group Consultant.) In resolving this particular type of eligibility question, generally the "previously published" material in question will be closely scrutinized for comparison with the current version, to try and determine if this is the "same" work. It’s common for fiction writers to develop short stories into novels; sometimes the original versions are left intact, nearly word for word, and sometimes they are completely rewritten, with only a character or plot thread remaining intact.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Because each possible eligibility question is handled on a case by case basis within the committee, and because that work falls under the "confidentiality" clause of the committee, we can’t get a definitive answer on this particular book from the actual committee.  But Sharon and I may decide not to use it for our Mock Discussion. We’ll see.  

All this reminds me of Priority Group Consultant Julie Corsaro’s wonderful posting last year at the ALSC Blog on common Newbery myths. Take a look.

Filed under: Uncategorized

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Nina Lindsay

Nina Lindsay is the Children's Services Coordinator at the Oakland Public Library, CA. She chaired the 2008 Newbery Committee, and served on the 2004 and 1998 committees. You can reach her at ninalindsay@gmail.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

January 2023

FREEWATER wins the Newbery Medal, live reactions from Heavy Medal bloggers

by Nina Lindsay

January 2023

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Webcast Results

by Nina Lindsay

December 2022

Calling all Mock Newbery Enthusiasts: Join the 2023 Heavy Medal Award Committee

by Nina Lindsay

October 2022

Two More Titles: November Nomination Time

by Nina Lindsay

September 2022

85 Books to Consider: Mock Newbery Suggestions Updated

by Nina Lindsay

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Your 2023 Caldecott Comment Card

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Poems As Picture Books: Zetta Elliott Discusses the Upcoming A Song for Juneteenth

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

2023 ALA Youth Media Awards

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

FREEWATER wins the Newbery Medal, live reactions from Heavy Medal bloggers

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

A Conversation with Kendare Blake about BUFFY, THE NEXT GENERATION

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

A Book 25 Years in the Making: Marla Frazee Visits The Yarn

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Bank Street Announces 2020 Cook Prize and Irma Black Award Winner

SLJ’s Reviews of the 2021 National Book Award for Young People's Literature Longlisters

SLJ Reviews of the 2022 Youth Media Awards

SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists

Jack Gantos on the Real Norvelt, Propaganda, and Good News | The Newbery at 100

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jonathan Hunt says

    October 23, 2008 at 4:38 pm

    Nina,

    While it is up to the discretion of the chair to rule on this title, I think the book is eligible all the way. Sure, one story was published previously, but that does not disqualify the book. I can think of two previous Newbery Honors in a similar situation. The first story in A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO by Richard Peck was previously published in a YA short story anthology about guns. Many of the poems in CARVER: A LIFE IN POEMS published by Marilyn Nelson were previously published in various poetry journals. I’d have to look at how many, but it’s a significant chunk of the book, maybe as much as a third of the book.

    Jonathan

  2. Nina Lindsay says

    October 23, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    Jonathan, thanks for the perspective and examples!

  3. Monica Edinger says

    October 24, 2008 at 4:01 am

    Jonathan, I too thank you. When I saw Lisa’s query my heart sank so I’m glad to know that it still might be ruled eligible.

  4. Jonathan Hunt says

    October 24, 2008 at 9:48 am

    There are 59 poems in CARVER and 36 of them were previously published in various publications, setting a precedent (I believe) that renders that clause effectively meaningless.

  5. Sharon McKellar says

    October 24, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Phew. I’m so happy to hear that the eligibility is not necessarily in question. I really wanted this for the Mock list (and wanted it to have its chance for the Newbery).

  6. Laurie says

    January 23, 2009 at 7:00 am

    I would say the eligibility is definitely in question. The committee will have to resolve that issue, and since, as Nina says, it falls under confidentiality, if The Graveyard Book does not win an award/honor, we will never know if it was ruled ineligible or not. Bit frustrating. I just read The Graveyard Book and it’s lovely.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • Other Mock Newbery Sites

    • Anderson’s Bookshops
    • For Those About to Mock
    • Good Reads Mock Newbery
    • Northport-East Northport PL
    • Rhode Island OLIS
  • Resources

    • Jen J's Starred Reviews Spreadsheet
    • Newbery Manual
    • Newbery Medal & Honor Books
    • Newbery Terms & Criteria
  • Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Age Level
    • Ideas
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2023


    COPYRIGHT © 2023