DCF Book Award Submission Guidelines
Established in 1956, Vermont's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award is the second oldest child-selected book award in the United States. Early each year, a committee of adults selects a Master List consisting of 30 of the MOST DISTINGUISHED books published for children during the preceding calendar year. In April of the following year, children in grades four to eight vote to choose the best of these books as that year's winner. For examples of books selected, please consult the DCF website.
• Books to be considered by the DCF Committee are submitted by publishers. FOUR COPIES of each title, which will be circulated to committee members, should be sent to:
DCF COMMITTEE
Grace Greene
Children's Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State St.
Montpelier, Vermont 05609
• Books published in the year 2009 may be sent at any time during the year. However, SENDING BOOKS as SOON as is feasible makes it possible to give all books more careful consideration.
• Eligibility for the award is similar to that for the Newbery Award. However, only BOOKS APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES 4-8 are considered. All forms of writing -- fiction, informational, and poetry -- are eligible. Books must be WRITTEN BY LIVING AUTHORS WHO ARE CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA. The author's work must be original, and not previously published. Poetry or short story collections with some previously published material may be considered at the discretion of the committee.
• It is especially helpful to have publishers send books of the highest literary merit on their lists, since that is the quality that determines the DCF Award (as it does the Newbery Award).
• Questions may be addressed to Grace Greene at grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us