Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
ろばーと・えふ・しばーと じょうほうとしょ めだる
A medal awarded annually by ALSC to the most distinguished informational book for children.
Children's literatureChildren's NonfictionInformational Books
- Established
- 2001
- Organizer
- Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA)
- Category
- Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around January
- Status
- Active
Description
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (commonly known as Sibert Medal) is an award established in 2001 by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC, a division of the American Library Association), awarded annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book for children published in English in the United States the previous year. Informational books are defined as works that present, organize, and interpret documentable factual material; traditional literature such as poetry or folktales is ineligible. In addition to the winner, multiple Honor Books (runners-up) may be selected. It was supported by Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. at its inception.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (awarded to author and illustrator). Honor Books (runners-up) are also selected.
- Awarding of medal
- Selection of Honor Books
- Announcement and promotion by ALA/ALSC
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination/Submission | Procedures determined by ALSC (submissions from publishers etc., or collection of candidates by ALSC) | — | Candidate works are managed and organized within ALSC |
| Committee Review (Selection) | ALSC Selection Committee (librarians, children's book experts, etc.) | — | Committee determines finalists, winner, and honors |
| Announcement | ALSC | — | Announced at ALA's Youth Media Awards (usually every January) |
Nomination/Submission
Judges
Procedures determined by ALSC (submissions from publishers etc., or collection of candidates by ALSC)
Announcement
Candidate works are managed and organized within ALSC
Committee Review (Selection)
Judges
ALSC Selection Committee (librarians, children's book experts, etc.)
Announcement
Committee determines finalists, winner, and honors
Announcement
Judges
ALSC
Announcement
Announced at ALA's Youth Media Awards (usually every January)
Criteria
- Must be an informational book for children (work that presents, organizes, and interprets facts)
- Published in English, with original or simultaneous publication in the US
- Accuracy of facts and appropriateness of sources/references
- Quality of writing, structure, and illustrations (clear conveyance of information)
- Poetry or traditional literature (folktales, etc.) ineligible
Application Tips
Dos
- 対象が『informational book（情報図書）』であることを明確に示す（事実の提示・整理・解釈を重視）
- 英語で米国でのオリジナルまたは同時出版であることを確認する
- 出典・資料を明示し、事実確認を徹底する
- 子どもにとって分かりやすい構成と図版・イラストを活用する
- 編集・校正を入念に行い、読みやすさを高める
Don''ts
- 詩や民話・伝承文学など、情報図書の定義に当てはまらない作品を応募しない
- 事実確認や出典が不十分なまま提出しない
- 情報が整理されておらず、子どもに伝わりづらい構成のまま提出しない
- 英語での米国出版要件を満たしていない作品を提出しない
From Judges
- 事実の正確性と出典の明示を重視する
- イラストは単なる装飾ではなく情報を補完し、理解を助けるものであること
- 複雑な事実は子ども向けに整理・構成して伝えること
- オリジナリティと情報の伝え方の明確さが評価される
Related Awards
- Newbery Medal
- Caldecott Medal
- Coretta Scott King Award
- Mildred L. Batchelder Award
- Pura Belpré Medal
- Geisel Award
- Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence
- YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
- Schneider Family Book Award
- Children's Literature Legacy Award
- Printz Award
- Alex Awards
Official Resources
http://ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/sibertmedalPast Winners
Kevin Noble Maillard
Winner
Juana Martinez-Neal
Winner
Lori Alexander
Honor
Vivien Mildenberger
Honor
Jo Ann Alice Boyce
Honor
Debbie Levy
Honor
Nikki Grimes
Honor
Antoinette Portis
Honor
Joyce Sidman
Winner
Catherine Thimmesh
Honor
Gail Jarrow
Honor
Don Brown
Honor
Traci Sorell
Honor
Michael Mahin
Honor
Jose Ramirez
Honor
Larry Dane Brimner
Winner
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Honor
June Jo Lee
Honor
Man One
Honor
Jason Chin
Honor
Shane Burcaw
Honor
Matt Carr
Honor
Patricia Newman
Honor
John Robert Lewis
Winner
Andrew Aydin
Winner
Nate Powell
Winner
Candace Fleming
Honor
Eric Rohmann
Honor
Caren B. Stelson
Honor
Albert Marrin
Honor
Russell Freedman
Honor
Duncan Tonatiuh
Winner
Don Brown
Honor
Phillip M. Hoose
Honor
Lynda Blackmon Lowery
Honor
Elspeth Leacock
Honor
Susan Buckley
Honor
PJ Loughran
Honor
Ekua Holmes
Honor
Jen Bryant
Winner
Melissa Sweet
Winner
Candace Fleming
Honor
Patricia Hruby Powell
Honor
Christian Robinson
Honor
Katherine Roy
Honor
Duncan Tonatiuh
Honor
Susan L Roth
Winner
Cindy Trumbore
Winner
Jen Bryant
Honor
Melissa Sweet
Honor
Annette LeBlanc Cate
Honor
Brian Floca
Honor
Jan Greenberg
Honor
Sandra Jordan
Honor
Melissa Sweet
Winner
Larry Dane Brimner
Honor
Allen Say
Honor
Donna M. Jackson
Honor
Timothy Rodwell
Honor
Rosalyn Schanzer
Honor
Sy Montgomery
Winner
Nic Bishop
Winner
Jan Greenberg
Honor
Sandra Jordan
Honor
Brian Floca
Honor
Russell Freedman
Honor