Sutherland Awards: Students as Real World Literary and Art Critics

A favorite Lab activity that lets our academic approach shine is the annual Sutherland Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature. Created and funded in honor of Zena Sutherland (a former University of Chicago faculty member and still considered among the world's most influential scholars of young people's literature), the award is one of the few kid-selected book awards in the United States.

Author, illustrator, and winner of last year's Sutherland Award, David Weisner, spoke to students in grades 3–6 as part of this year's Sutherland Award ceremonies, which took place on April 22.

At the end of the ceremony this year's winner was announced: The Tinderbox (author: Hans Christian Anderson, retold by Stephen Mitchell, illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline) swept the categories winning best author, best illustrator, and best overall. Finalists also included:

• Fiona's Luck (author: Theresa Bateman, illustrator: Kelly Murphy)
• Fred Stays With Me! (author: Nancy Coffelt, illustrator: Tricia Tusa)
• Sky Sweeper (author: Phillis Gershator, illustrator: Holly Meade)
• Wind Flyers (author: Angela Johnson, illustrator: Loren Long)

Here's how it works:

• It’s student-led with adults providing structure—Lab librarians review new children’s books and narrow the group to 18, from which sixth-grade students choose five finalists based on criteria they help shape.
• It integrates critical thinking and analysis—Fifth graders paint enormous “campaign” art posters promoting each book, and write and give presentations supporting their “candidate.”
• It’s predicated on cross-grade collaboration—Older children take leadership positions, but the younger ones are also empowered as third, fourth, and fifth graders vote on best illustration, best text, and best overall.

Each year, Lab brings the previous year’s award-winning author to the school. Kids host the award ceremony, introducing the authors and announcing the newest winner to an impassioned crowd of cheering children.

Rites of May: Fun for All

Every spring, as far back as most remember, is Lab's Rites of May. It is one of many community-building activities that reaches parents, teachers, administrators, as well as the students who participate.

The backbone of the celebration is the High School play; Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. Students, under the direction of Liucija and Allan Ambrosini, build the stage in Blaine Courtyard, and erect a lighting grid, led by Dean of Students Larry McFarlane.

But there are many more components to Rites of May. Thursday and Friday after school, food and games are available to the youngest Lab students. Come and enjoy U-High club-sponsored booths from 5-7 p.m. in Blaine Courtyard. Unwind, listen to the Jazz Band, and let the kids play with friends.

On Saturday, May 17, games and activities for kids start at 11 a.m. in Kenwood Mall. There are musical performances, carnival games—with prizes—and international booths that help students become acquainted with Lab's broad base of ethnicities. And for all, parents and teachers organize a buffet of ethnic foods in the Global Café.

Fractured Fairy Tales

In a 25-year-old Lab tradition, nursery school and kindergarten students were enthralled by an enactment of several fairy tales by high school students. As part of Acting Studio, a beginning acting class, the high schoolers wrote variations on traditional fairy tales, developed the staging for each, and put on two performances for their young schoolmates in Blaine's little theatre.

Authors—Several—Visit Lab

May turns out to be quite the literary month at Lab as three renowned authors take time to visit with students across the divisions. These events are organized by Lab librarians—and, in the case of the High School visit, with help from the High School Book Club.

Students in grades 1-4 will meet Laurence Pringle, a prolific children's author whose works focus on animals and nature. Former Lab teacher Blue Balliett will speak to students in grades 5-7. Her brand new book, The Calder Game, (which, like her previous novels, takes place in Hyde Park at a school highly reminiscent of Lab) involves a missing boy and a missing sculpture. And author Deb Caletti, National Book Award Finalist of Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, will talk to students in grades 8-12 about her writing and sign copies of her new book, The Fortunes of Indigo Skye. Ms. Caletti's web site is particularly rich with author-written commentary that addresses issues such as book banning.