Issues related to criteria and definitions proved more complex than setting a target date, but there was widespread agreement here, too, especially regarding eligibility. We concurred that in order to be considered, a book must have been published in the U.S. in the year preceding that in which the award is to be given. In addition to novels, eligibility will be extended to nonfiction, poetry, anthologies, and works of joint authorship. Honor books may be named, but probably no more than four will be selected. And if no title is deemed sufficiently meritorious in any given year, no award will be given.
Discussion continues on the thorny question of how to define young-adult books.
Presumably, then, all books published for readers in that age range would be eligible. This will create an eligibility overlap with titles being considered for the Newbery Medal, which encompasses books for readers age 12 through 14. A more difficult question involves publishers not having divisions that publish books for young readers and yet routinely bring out titles suitable for and of compelling interest to young adults. The answer seems to be a simple declaration that books published as adult titles will not be deemed eligible. After all, it was argued, we're talking about a best young-adult book award, not a best book for young adults award.