Well, today was our big meeting day! We started at 10AM and finished at 6PM, with just enough time to get to the Joint Reception with YALSA/AASL members and leadership. We were able to get through the rest of our titles and do our straw poll. The straw poll is a non-binding vote just to see where the titles stand. Tomorrow, the final day, we will give our final pleas for some of the books that aren't making the list at this point.
For me, the books that I'm making a plea for include Baby Brother by 50 Cent, it is a gritty, street lit novel that has a beyond steamy sex scene in it. But, I feel very strongly that this novel belongs on this list because I believe that every kind of kid needs to have at least one book on this list that they can relate to personally. Jack, our Chairperson this year, made a great point that some of the kids he sees at New York Public Library will give you one chance to connect them to a book-- these books by 50 Cent definitely connect with these kids.
One of the big concerns cited with the contingent (on the committee) that have continually voted against these types of books is that this list we create is used as a selection tool. One member was concerned that this list is being mis-used by some professionals. She mentioned that a librarian (well-known and respected)actually purchases every title of the list, period end of story. The answer to this is that this is a tool to help make selection choices, but a librarian should still check the reviews to be sure that the book is appropriate for their community. As a committee we cannot be concerned with how others do their job.
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