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The author discusses the We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) campaign in the U.S. to promote books by authors and illustrators of color. Topics addressed include a call for libraries to support the effort, the spread of the campaign via the microblogging site Twitter with the hashtag #WNDB, and the need for libraries to make available all kinds of books for all kinds of readers. Also mentioned are "The Horn Book Magazine" selections for the best children's and young adult books of 2014.

The article considers the right of the press to ask book award committees about their evaluation procedure. The criteria for prize selection for the Caldecott, Newbery and Sibert awards are ambiguous; many books qualify for multiple awards. The article praises the overlap in prize nominees, saying it helps to establish quality in books.

The author reflects upon the Newbery awards. He discusses the phrase "most distinguished" and believes the phrase is biased at best. The author ponders the impact of a Newbery award on the book and its author. Details are given for the criticism editors face from the Newbery committee if they offer their opinions in their respective magazines and journals about what book titles they would like to see win.