Michelle Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6228124.stm Philip Pullman's Northern Lights has been named the best children's book of the past 70 years. However, in yesterdays news.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6574691.stm Philip Pullman's Northern Lights has been selected as one of the greatest children's books, but CS Lewis and Terry Pratchett have been omitted. The UK's oldest award for children's writing, the Carnegie Medal, has selected 10 former winners to mark the 70th anniversary of the award. Other famous writers not in contention include JK Rowling and Jacqueline Wilson as neither have won the Carnegie Medal. Is it really fair to select the best book from the past 70 years, but only choose from previous winners, or should the shortlist have been broader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maclsj Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 It probably all comes down to the issue of time... not enough time to do anything other than take the short list direct from previous winners. Sad that things work like this, but all too common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrathofkublakhan Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 It can be called the best book in the last 70 years in the context of the Carnegie Medal. I think it's just fine for an organization to be self-referential. They must know that they are simply celebrating themselves when they become so inclusive in their process. We see this all the time in many areas. Someone will post the "10 best" list and it will include some very popular recent items that honestly will not stand the true test of time. An only okay example might be looking at the box office. If you look at the all time box office champs you'll see Spider-Man and Shrek, but if you look at "adjusted for inflation" you'll see the true list -- Gone with the Wind, Sound of Music, The Godfather: movies that have indeed, stood the test of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Is it really fair to select the best book from the past 70 years, but only choose from previous winners Ack no its completely outrageous. Wrath is right, it should be renamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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