Junior Library Guild Selection: What's It Mean For a Book?

My agent and editor were excited about PURE GRIT being chosen by JLG, so I knew it was good news.

But being the investigative reporter I am–I wanted details.

So I googled it.

Here’s what I uncovered.

"We read thousands of books every year and select only the best."

"The JLG editorial team reviews more than 3,000 new titles each year, in manuscript or prepublication stage. We've developed a keen sense for finding the best of the best. Nearly 95 percent of our selections go on to receive awards and/or favorable reviews."

Next, I googled symptoms of a heart attack.

• Shortness of breath–check.
• Pressure in the chest–check.
• Dizziness, light-headed–check.
• Overwhelming feelings of...

Whew! It's a gratitude attack!

While writing Pure Grit, carefully sifting through details of the nurses’ work in jungle field hospitals, their life burrowed underground while bombs pounded Corregidor, their days of captivity turning into weeks, months and years–I became haunted by the fear that I would not do these women justice.

Would my writing skills and passion convey the story well enough to catch people’s interest when so many words and pictures flash past our eyes every day?

PURE GRIT’S selection by the JLG indicates the story of these brave WWII women will get read by kids. In libraries all across America, girls will have the opportunity to see photographs of heroic women before their grandmother’s time, working side-by-side with men in combat. They’ll learn how courage can be found in the darkest circumstances.

In my search for information on the Junior Library Guild, I discovered my friend Patricia Newman's book was also selected.

Patricia worked with three scientists and a photographer on her book PLASTIC, AHOY! INVESTIGATING THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH. “I’m happy to see that their work has been recognized by a major force in the children’s book community,” she said.

"I’m thrilled that JLG singled out PLASTIC, AHOY!, and I hope the JLG seal of approval will help spread the book’s message. The issue of plastic in our oceans has reached a dangerous level and our best hope for a solution is to change our single-use plastic habits.”

Here's what I'm curious about. When you go to work in the morning, what kind of change do you hope your efforts will make? Who takes notice of your work and helps toward your goals like JLG helps authors?

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