About

COMMITTEE CHARGE & RESPONSIBILITIES

This committee was originally formed under the umbrella of the Library Services for Youth in Custody group (www.youthlibraries.org), but has existed independently of the organization since 2017.

Mission Statement:

To seek out and highlight fiction and non-fiction titles of high-interest appeal for male or female readers, ages 9-21, who may fit into one or all of the following categories that identify with:
– *BIPOC youth
– youth from a street culture
– youth in restrictive custody
– youth who are reluctant readers

* BIPOC is an acronym which highlights the intersectionality historical structural racism has with Black Americans and Indigenous People which shapes the disproportionality of experiences and relationships the structuralization has for all people of color within the United States.  For In the Margins, we are of particular concern to books that can be considered for inclusion in JD Facility holdings, as well as community outreach organizations, and school and public libraries that provide survices to the youth populations with similar profiles.

COMMITTEE CHARGE:

This 5-7 member committee selects and reviews best books of the year and creates an Annual Top Ten list from the official Recommended List of Fiction and Nonfiction.  In addition, an Advocacy and Social Justice list is also generated.  Three top distinctive titles for fiction, nonfiction, and advocacy are determined from each list, as well.

The length of lists for the Recommended FICTION & NONFICTION is based on the amount of books published each year that meets our requirements of marginalized issues.  Each Fiction and NF young adult list is a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 titles.  The Social Justice Advocacy Award is selected from a minimum of 3 nominated titles.

Topics of interest can be unusual, some are possibly un-reviewed.  They all must be narrative representations of diverse characters who are representatives of groups of youth that have been systemically and or socially marginalized by this society.  Topics are contemporary to specific issues youth experience in real time, as well as historical, addressing difficulties such as, but not limited to: street life, marginalized populations, such as LGBTQIA+ and LGBTQIA2S, crime, justice, war, violence, abuse, addiction, homelessness, gangs, and cults.

Production of books highlight self-published and small press, as well as independent and major publishing house titles.

Format Requirements.  While some titles we request are in digital audible formats, we are limited to receiving books in print formats because many facilities in the States and Canada do not allow digital equipment in their secure spaces.

Cultural authenticity is of high priority to the committee, which preferences narratives and informational text that correct the disproportionality of injustices caused to BIPOC youth from the historical impact of cultural irrelevance and structural exclusion which has given rise to higher than usual volumes of marginalized BIPOC youth who exist in poverty, on the streets,  and in custody – or a cycle of all three. Youth feedback is a critical factor in book nomination and selection.

ADVOCACY AWARD:

The In the Margins Advocacy Book Award chooses the  best book that illuminates issues of race, class and incarceration or otherwise highlights the reality of BIPOC and other minoritized people living in the margins of society. The Advocacy award goes to the best book for adults to read in order to increase, deepen, affirm and clarify their understanding of the structurally systemic issues facing those who are members of these groups in America. Higher consideration is given to a book that teens also read, but teen feedback is not essential to the choosing of this award.  All publishers, including self-published books are considered equally.