The panels of Round I and II judges are rapidly taking shape, and we'll be announcing those soon! In the meantime, we're going to start introducing the Cybils '09 organizing team. Today, we meet Jen Robinson, our hardworking Literacy Evangelist:
I'm Jen Robinson, and I've been blogging for nearly 4 years at Jen Robinson's Book Page. My blog is dedicated to helping parents, teachers, and librarians encourage kids to enjoy books. I publish mostly book reviews (picture books through young adult) and literacy and reading news. I also contribute one post a week to the new PBS Parents children's book blog, Booklights.
My blog is a part-time effort, something that I do because I think that it's important that all kids have the opportunity to grow up loving books. In my "day job", I have a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and co-own a small software firm that works with computer chip manufacturers. I'm originally from Lexington, MA, and I live now in San Jose, CA. I remain a dedicated Red Sox fan.
I've been involved with the Cybils administrative team since the first year, and have also been a judge for the easy reader, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction categories. This is my second year as Literacy Evangelist for the Cybils, which basically means that I'm a cheerleader for the Cybils, spreading the word about our winning titles inside and outside of the Kidlitosphere.