Championing Literature: Brenda J. Child on Serving as a National Book Awards Judge

Brenda J. Child, Northrop Professor of American Studies, recently had the opportunity to serve as a judge in the nonfiction category of the National Book Awards—a role that brought her into the heart of the literary world. Immersing herself in a summer of reading and discussions, Child drew on her expertise as a scholar and life-long avid reader. She evaluated over six hundred and fifty books, contributing to decisions that help shape the careers of writers. 

From engaging with her fellow judges and finalists to witnessing the transformative power of storytelling, her experience reflects the profound impact of literature—as well as the joy of sharing it with others. 

How did you approach this work? What does this entail?

As a fan of the National Book Awards, I was thrilled when the foundation called me last spring asking [me to be] a nonfiction judge this year. I always read the winners, and sometimes watch the show online. I began doing this when my friend Louise Erdrich won the award for fiction for her novel, The Roundhouse (Harper, 2012). Last year, my fellow history colleague, Ned Blackhawk of Yale University won the nonfiction award for his fantastic book, The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of US History (Yale, 2023). Ned organized a table this year for our family and friends.

What did serving as a judge mean to you?

I was honored to serve as a judge, and took the job very seriously. I appreciate that the author who wins has their book featured in the New York Times. For the ten finalists, to be on the list is career-defining and life-changing. Choosing the books on that list felt like a huge responsibility. As a Midwesterner, an Indigenous historian, and a professor at the University of Minnesota, it was a great recognition of our institution and the significant work we do here, far from the big publishing houses of the East Coast.

What has prepared you for this experience? 

It's funny but I was ready to be a judge. The work is spread out between five judges, and we met by Zoom all last summer, and recently had lunch together. I felt prepared as a scholar and as a life-long reader. The nonfiction category is the largest at the National Book Awards, and my family never complained about the huge stacks of books in our house that eventually numbered over six hundred and fifty. Every day last summer, FedEx, UPS, and the US postal service delivered books to my house in St. Paul. Now, I've started to donate them, and the first boxes went to my colleagues at the retired professors’ condo building near the St. Paul campus, where they keep a beautiful library.

What has surprised you? What have you learned? What has inspired you?

The National Book Foundation knows how to host a fun party—people danced until 1:00 AM. It was held in New York on November 20 and was black-tie. My husband, the Ojibwe artist Steve Premo, and my daughter Benay, a 2022 graduate of CLA (art and Ojibwe language) attended with me. Benay was most excited to see Kate McKinnon (the host), and say hello to Jon Batiste (the musical performer).

I loved meeting the nonfiction finalists in person—especially the winner, Jason De Leon, a professor of anthropology at UCLA and the author of Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling (Viking, 2024)—a riveting book that is so important for our time. He's a big Prince fan and promised to visit us in Minnesota. I also loved meeting Salman Rushdie and reading his new memoir, Knife (Random House, 2024), which is a brilliant book about love and hope.

What does this show about the value of the liberal arts? 

The National Book Awards and Foundation is all about the value of the liberal arts in society today. In the future, more of us in the University should ask our publishers to nominate us for these major awards. This year's fiction winner, Percival Everett, gave a funny, hopeful speech. I've just started reading his book James, first introduced to us in American Literature as "Jim" by Mark Twain. Now, I have time to read fiction!