From Melissa Stewart, author of 5 Kinds of Nonfiction and editor of Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep:

The Sibert Smackdown is an activity intended to build enthusiasm for the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, which is given each year as part of the American Library Association’s annual Youth Media Awards. It focuses on picture books because they are more manageable to read in a school setting. … After reading your Mock Sibert titles, students choose their two favorites and use this worksheet, which you can download from my website, to evaluate and compare the books before they vote. The worksheet features a kid-friendly version of the criteria used by the real Sibert committee.

I’m honored to have How to Make a Book (About My Dog) in the running this year, but more than that, I’m excited to get my hands on the other books Melissa is shining a spotlight on. I know I’ve got some great reading in store, and I hope you’ll get in on the fun yourself!