posted in (YA book tournament is a tentative go! Visit our group to recommend some titles or become a judge (or both).)
SLJ is doing Battle of the Books. It’s the kidlit version of the Walk of Fame and features a lot of the Big Name Books and Big Name Authors. I’ve been following, but my interest was poked with a sharp stick when the Battle Commander posted an update linking to someone who wasn’t happy.
That might be an understatement, actually. “Wasn’t happy” doesn’t seem to cut through the amount of disgust and annoyance present in that blog. It’s not invalid criticism, but here’s the lesson I’ve gained from a few years in fandom: if you want to read some awesome boys kissing, you write it yourself. By which I mean: if the SLJ Battle of the Books seems heavily weighted in favor of books that are so famous already they blind you when you part the pages, maybe there should be another version for the books that are unloved and weeping in the corner. It’s not backed by th SLJ reputation, sure, but it’s still filled with love.
Then, of course, I opened my mouth on Twitter and five people were suddenly like, “You should do it!” YOU ALL ARE TERRIBLE INFLUENCES. You know who you are.
Here’s the thing, and what I couldn’t say in 140 character reply: I would love to, but I…don’t think I’m popular enough or trusted enough? I’m not trying to invite, “Renay! You’re totally awesome!” comments, I’m just being honest about my presence in the kidlitosphere which is tenuous at best. That might be generous; I am pretty sure I curse too much and don’t read widely enough and also I don’t like The Hunger Games as much as anyone else which is like two and a half strikes against me and I haven’t even done anything yet except be a loudmouth. I lack the critical mass. Guys, I am not bookshelves of doom or The YA YA YAs. I am just a YA lit dreamer bitter that none of the books in SLJ’s Battle include stories where boys make out and that Frankie lost in the Tournament of Books! Twice! Judged lacking by men.
*grumble*
Also, If there was such a tournament; what books should be in it? If we looked at what I consider The Big Three: Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults and the Printz and the NBA and said to those nominees and winners, “Congrats on your success, but you don’t count for this?” what would we list? How would we even decide? I sure wouldn’t know where to begin.
Roger (’ware the bitterness in the comments from the anonymice) has a good point about the fame of those books and the judges carrying the tournament. I agree with the blogger he linked to a point, but as per usual when I disagree with how something’s done, my idea is to take it and do it myself, which says something about my ego (huge and relentless, also 20 feet tall and coming for your children and small animals). My idea was to ignore the fame aspect (which wouldn’t work for some reason??), choose 16 YA books that didn’t get a lot of play but were loved by bloggers who have only their reputations to back them up and go to town. Bonus if each battle consisted of two bloggers to discuss one book, do a co-review/comparison and choose one to proceed to the next round. Even if the exposure is to readers of our blogs, isn’t that better than none? Isn’t one reader swayed to try a book something to be celebrated, possibly with cake1? Nerdy book tournament: check! Promotion across various participant blogs for lesser-known YA books: check! Community-building: check! Possibly meeting awesome new bloggers and friends: check! Downsides: no fame or fortune for judges, strange looks from the kidlitosphere elite, possible financial requirements.
It’s a pretty idea, though. Is anyone as crazy as I am?
1 Screw possibly. There will definitely be cake.
(YA book tournament is a tentative go! Visit our group to recommend some titles or become a judge (or both).)
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