Do Children Read the Children’s Literature Adults Recommend? A Comparison of Adults’ and Children’s Annual “Best” Lists in the United States 1975–2005

A content analysis of two annual lists of the “best” children’s books in the United States was conducted to discover whether adults’ and children’s views overlap or diverge. All the children’s books on two prominent lists were included for the years 1975 to 2005 (for books published from 1974 to 2004): the American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Books (chosen by a committee of librarians) and the International Reading Association’s Children’s Choices (chosen by children). Analyses reveal that instead of an expected 50% overlap of titles (chosen to offer each perspective equal status), there is only a 4.36% overlap averaged for a thirty year period. Using a test of proportions, the difference is significant for each year and overall at the p < .01 level. The results suggest a significant divergence between the providers and consumers of children’s literature. Relatively few authors were appreciated by both groups, most being preferred by one and not the other. Award winning books prominent on the adult list seldom appear on the children’s list. This study raises the question of whether parents, teachers, and librarians may need to pay closer attention to children’s views of what is interesting and desirable reading matter if we are to assist all children in becoming strong and avid readers. Suggestions are made for achieving a balance between the efferent and aesthetic poles evident in this divergence.