Today’s review is YA Non-fiction finalist Be a Changemaker, by Laurie Ann Thompson, reviewed by judge Louise over at The Nonfiction Detectives where she blogs with Book App chair Cathy. Louise wrote: I found this “how-to handbook” very useful. Thompson uses simple, direct language to explain how to take something you are passionate about and turn it into a reality. Readers will …
Review: Brimsby’s Hats
One of my favorite things about Fiction Picture Book panelist Dawn’s blog, My Thoughts Exactly, is her Friday Five roundup. Most Friday, she features a list of 5 books (or things) she’s been reading (and loving). And during Cybils season, those roundups are usually of the books she’s reading. She highlighted Fiction Picture Book finalist Brimsby’s Hats, by Andrew Prahin. Dawn …
Review: Harlem Hellfighters
For those in the U.S.: Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! I was thinking that we’d feature something to do with the Civil Rights movement today. I found several books among our nominees that would fit, including YA Nonfiction finalist The Freedom Summer Murders, by Don Mitchell; Fiction Picture Book Nominee Knock Knock, by Daniel Beaty and Bryan Collier; but …
Featured Blogger: Margo Tanenbaum
For this month’s featured blogger, I asked the Cybils organizing team who they’d like to see. One of the names that came up was Margo Tanenbaum, a long time blogger at The Fourth Musketeer. She was delighted, and took the time to answer our questions. Tell us a bit about you and your blog. I am a full-time children’s librarian …
Review: Angus the Irritable Bull – A funny story of friendship on the farm
Over the months I’ve been rounding up reviews, I’ve noticed that writing one for a book app is a pretty difficult thing to do. Which means there isn’t a lot out there. However, Book App round 1 panelist Erin who blogs at Falling Flannelboards, wrote a lovely blurb for finalist Angus the Irritable Bull – A funny story of friendship on the …
Review: The Meaning of Maggie
Middle Grade Fiction panelist Jennifer is not only a long-time, hard-working panelist, but is also the managing editor of 5 minutes for Books, which highlights everything from picture books through adult fiction. Over the summer, she reviewed Middle Grade Fiction finalist The Meaning of Maggie, by Megan Jean Sovern, writing: The Meaning of Maggie is a fun heartfelt book. I love …
Cybils Flyers
Our wonderful media guru, Sarah Stevenson, has worked her magic and provided a printer-friendly flyer listing all of this year’s Cybils finalists. You can find it here. Feel free to print it off, hand it out, pass it around, and generally get the word out. You can also find lists of our past finalists (and winners) in the books section of …
Review: Boys of Blur
Today’s featured review is of Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson. It was featured on quite a few blogs, but I think EMFSF panelist Brandy, blogging over at Random Musings of a Bibliophile said it best: The imagery and descriptiveness of the book are pretty much perfect. As I read, I felt like I …
Review: Firefly July
Today’s review of the day comes from Poetry panelist Kelly, who blogs at Writing and Ruminating. Back during National Poetry month, she reviewed Poetry finalist Firefly July by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Kelly wrote: Most of the poems fall into the “imagist” category: full of clear, sharp language, and conveying a clear snapshot description of the poem’s …
2014 Finalists: Things That are Being Said, Part 2
Wernick & Pratt (@WernickPratt): Hats off to Bryan Collier and @The_Pigeon, whose books were named @cybils Finalists!http://t.co/8slBJ0tY0y Jennifer Morris (@jenmorris80): Steve and Wessley Cybils Finalists: Steve and Wessley’s first book, The Ice Cream Shop is a finalist in the Cybils. Jennifer also wrote a blog post about it! Laura Cecil Agency (@LCecilLitAgency): Congratulations to @Alexmilway whose Pigsticks & Harold has …