So here’s a little-known fact about me (as, indeed, why should it be known?): my grandfather was a judge for the Rhode Island State Supreme Court. \u00a0He wasn’t the kind of grandfather I could get to know that well, especially because he was sick for a large part of my life, but I definitely knew that being a judge was a huge part of his identity. \u00a0I have many vivid memories of walking around Providence with him and having people doff their hats to say, “Hello, Judge.” \u00a0Or he’d host parties (with the most delicious hors d’oeuvres, oh my word; I still fantasize about the cheesy puffs)–and people would give him cards addressed to The Judge. \u00a0I hope it’s not speaking ill of him to note that my mother would indeed concur that he was A Judge. \u00a0But whether this was fun for those around him or not, I am psyched to learn that I will be following in his footsteps–not as a law-court judge (good lord, I would be terrible at that)–but as a judge for the Cybils!<\/p>\n
The Cybils are the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards, and every year, ripe dozens of bloggers commit to reading many nominated books each year to determine which are award-worthy. \u00a0Their call for judges was so funny, actually, that I’m going to quote them:<\/p>\n
Yes, it’s that time of year, when we ask kidlit bloggers around the world to stop what they’re doing and join us. It’s going to be another crazy contest year, so we’re again reminding everyone [editor’s note: the italicized words below were actually crossed out, but WordPress is not delivering on its promise to do the cross-out font, so I had to downgrade:]<\/p>\n
Got to love an honest call for volunteers.<\/p>\n
I’m going to be a panelist in the non-fiction category, which means that along with a committee of an unclear number of people I don’t know yet esteemed peers, \u00a0we will be reading until our eyeballs bleed cooing lovingly over all of the please God don’t let there be too many nominated books and yammering loudly for our favorites to move on narrowing to a shortlist of 5-7.<\/p>\n
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First of all, it’s a chance to read great books and learn some stuff. \u00a0But perhaps of greater interest is the chance to\u00a0discuss the merits of books with other interested parties, especially debating what makes one great book stand out over another. \u00a0M. T. Anderson’s judging statement for the School Library Journal Battle of the Books<\/a>, on two non-fiction titles, actually, was one of the best pieces of literary criticism I have ever read, and was part of what inspired me to throw my hat into the non-fiction ring. \u00a0I think that, for the first time, I’m going to post reviews of what I read, and I’ll get to pass on the knowledge to you all. \u00a0Maybe, just as I notched up the rent-count on Fame<\/em>, I’ll get you all to learn about Nicola Tesla or the invention of lollipops.<\/p>\n So thank you, Cybils, for choosing me (was it my post on Fame<\/em> that convinced you?), and to our fearless leader especially, Susan Thomsen from Chicken Spaghetti<\/a>. \u00a0I promise to doff my hat in return when you address me as “Judge” and to find that recipe for cheesy puffs to celebrate the end of our process.<\/p>\n Let the games begin! \u00a0May the odds be ever in your favor!<\/p>\n