Christy Hanson

Robert F Sibert Award

The Robert F. Sibert Award is an award given to the authors and illustrators of the most
renowned childrens informational book of the year. There are honor books chosen and
recognized along with one medal winner. The Association for Library Service for Children
administers the award, which was named to honor the memory of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time
President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. His son Robert L Sibert
was persuaded by colleges to name the award after his father who died in 1998. The Sibert
family has been in the bookbinding business since 1913, and began working with libraries in
1920. The award was established in 2001.
The award is given by a chosen committee of experts. The committee adheres to strict
guidelines having to do with confidentiality and conflict of interest. They are listed along with
their company or library association. The committee follows a lengthy and orderly process to
select the winners. There are nine members: Five members to be elected annually from a slate
of no fewer than ten, a chairperson appointed by the president, and three members appointed by
the president.(1) A member of the committee can only serve as such once every four years. The
committee is charged with judging truthfulness, organization, records, and book design. The
books must be factual and be a significant contribution clarifying and invigorating the subject
matter.
The Sibert Award credits the most notable informational book published in English in the
United States. The award goes to the authors and illustrators of the book that are named on the
title page. It is presented annually to a medal winner and books of honorable mention get
recognition under the title Honor Books. The books selected are considered to be excellent and
distinguished from others in there category. They only select original works, and the book cannot

Christy Hanson
Robert F Sibert Award

be previously published in another country, unless simultaneously published in the US. The book
must stand on its own and not depend on any other form of media for enjoyment.
This medal is only awarded to books considered distinct in language usage and visual
presentation. Only books that are respectful to the interest of children, appropriate in
presentation, have excellent concepts and clear factual supportive features will be considered.
There is an Annual Conference where the Sibert Award is presented at the ALSC Awards
Presentation. The winner receives a bronze medal, and the honor book authors receive
certificates mounted on plaques. (1)
Works Cited
(1)

ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK AWARD COMMITTEE MANUAL

List of Winners 2009-2014

Medal winner 2014: Parrots over Puerto Rico, written by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore,
illustrated by Susan L. Roth, (Lee & Low Books, Inc.)-

This book is about a Puerto Rican

parrot and Puerto Rico, features efforts to save the parrot by protecting the endangered species.
Based on reviews I would certainly want this book for my personal class library. The pictures are
said to be amazing and it helps children understand the interrelated ways of wildlife and people.
Medal winner 2013: Steve Sheinkin. Bomb: The Race to Buildand Stealthe Worlds Most
Dangerous Weapon- Based on scientific discoveries that account for military intelligence
operations in rival countries, this book is sure to be of interest to most young boys. Its said to be
an inspirational thriller. I think for the fifth grade and up, I would have this book in my class.

Christy Hanson
Robert F Sibert Award

Medal winner 2012: Melissa Sweet. Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer
of Macys Parade- The pictures in this book are amazing and the whole book feels like a lot of
fun. I would desire to have this book in my class library.
Medal winner 2011: Sy Montgomery. Kakapo Rescue- This one is about a bird population going
extinct, not just any, the worlds strangest bird! This book is for ages ten and up, and the reviews
are great, so why not put it in with the others?
Medal winner 2010: Tanya Lee Stone. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to DreamThis book is great for kids and teens, we can never have too many role models, especially when
it comes to girls. This one looks good, and I would want it available for my students.
Medal winner 2009: Kadir Nelson. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball- I
would love to have this book as well, it tells the story of Negro League baseball from its
beginnings in the 1920s, until Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Illustrations
from oil paintings by artist Kadir Nelson can be googled, and they are awesome, this one holds
historical and meaningful value.