Tribu

THE CLASS CHOICE AWARD is an offshoot of the TRIBE OF READERS. It is both a project and a publication that has culminated in the selection of the best books for children and youngsters aged between 6 and 13, published in 2009.

Class Choiceaims to become an important tool for all those wishing to enter the world of books for children and youngsters for the first time, as well as for people already immersed in this sector. It results from a need to provide information and analysis to help adults find their way in an overcrowded publishing sector undergoing a rapid transformation. This change can easily confuse people and cause them to give up and reject the publishing industry’s “latest trend”, also resulting in a prejudicial mistrust that condemns publishing en masse, forgetting the numerous quality publications that continue to be produced. We created this project and this book because we firmly believe that good literature for youngsters still exists and that courageous and innovative publishing projects continue to be launched. We feel we have both a professional and a social duty to give deserved attention to this courage and innovation and to ensure its widespread dissemination.

The Class Choice Award is intended as a popular initiative, further enhanced by critical insights, indications on the educational value of certain books and opinions from international experts. The works were chosen by a Selection Committee made up of Rosellina Archinto in the role of Honorary President, writer Giusi Quarenghi as guest of honour, Maria Teresa Carbone from the Libraries in the Province of Rome, Giordana Piccinini from the Hamlin Cultural Association, Carla Ghisaberti from the “Mi leggo ti leggo” Cultural Association and Gianluca Giannelli representing the PlayTownRoma Cultural Association.

Children from primary and lower secondary schools in Rome and the Provinces will serve on the jury assessing the shortlisted works running for the Best Book of the Year Award in the two age categories (6-9 year-olds  and 10-14 year-olds), choosing the book that steals their hearts.

Each publishing company representing the sixteen shortlisted Class Choice titles will be housed in its own native American-Indian style “tepee”, set up in the squares of the Italian towns and cities taking part in the event.  As well as showcasing their catalogue, each publisher in the competition may invite an international publisher whose sentiments they share and organise a series of encounters to give further emphasis to the importance of the publishing projects presented, all thanks to a small budget made available to the publishers by the Festival’s organisers. Publishers thus become an integral part of our wider cultural project promoting fruitful comparison between Italian and international publishing for children, also through a professional and meaningful contribution to the formation of the Festival’s official programme.

The book “Scelte di classe” (“Class Choice”) was overseen by the Hamelin Cultural Association, with illustrations and graphics by Fausta Orecchio, and was produced by the Chamber of Commerce especially for the Tribe of Readers.