A Newbery for J. K. Rowling?

Move over, Susan Patron and David Wiesner. The competition for the Newbery and Caldecott medals could get a lot stiffer. A task force of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is reexamining the eligibility requirements for the nation's top awards in children's literature and illustration, as well as other children's book awards, says Kathleen Horning, president of ALSC.

Currently, only books first published in the U.S. by American citizens or residents qualify for the Newbery and Caldecott—but that could change if the task force recommends expanding who's eligible for the prestigious awards. “It's up for discussion,” says Horning. “And it's possible that the task force will recommend we open up the Newbery and Caldecott." The ultimate decision, however, will be made by ALSC's board.

When the Newbery Medal was created in 1922 and the Caldecott Medal in 1938, the goal was to encourage U.S. publishers to seek out high-quality literature and picture books for children by American authors and illustrators, Horning says. Now that the awards have accomplished their missions, "the time has come for us to discuss [making changes]," explains Horning. The Awards Eligibility Task Force is also revising requirements for the Robert F. Sibert, the Theodor Seuss Geisel, the Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the Mildred L. Batchelder awards.