Today’s review of Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach comes from YA Fiction round one panelist Mindi. She’s a junior high literary coach who blogs at Next Best Book in her spare time. Of Fat Boys, she writes: Have you ever read a book that made you feel slightly uncomfortable because you know that it’s not that far off from the …
Shop Cybils!
We know you are all internet-savvy people, sitting ready to take advantage of all the hot deals (and free shipping!) that are out there during this weekend of shopping. On this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we here at the Cybils just ask that if you shop for books (and we know you will!), to please take the time to …
Review: I am Malala
Today’s review of the day comes from Aaron, who blogs at Coffee for the Brain, which is a fantastic blog name. A teacher and Cybils YA Nonfiction round one panelist, Aaron is a busy guy, but has managed to find time to read the children’s edition biography of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Malala Yousafzai, I am Malala. He writes: Malala …
Review: You Are Not Small
Today’s review of fiction picture book nominee You Are Not Small by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant comes from long-time Cybils volunteer, Dawn. Dawn is one of the cohort of bloggers blogging at 5 Minutes for Mom, reviewing whatever crosses her path. She often does picture books. Of this nominee, she wrote: There’s much to like about this simple storybook, …
Review: In Real Life
Easy Reader/Early Chapter Book chair Katie who blogs at Story Time Secrets has today’s review. She recently reviewed Graphic Novel nominee In Real Life, by Cory Doctorow, writing: It can be very easy to forget that a person lives behind every avatar, screen name, and online account, and Anda’s experiences playing Coarsegold drive home that fact in a powerful way. This …
Review: Rules of Summer
Today’s review comes from Book App judge Paula who usually blogs at Pink Me. She did review the book app for Shaun Tan’s Rules of Summer for School Library Journal earlier this year. She wrote: Atmospheric, textured, surreal—the work of Shaun Tan is easily described as “cinematic.” His tableaux appear to be stills from a larger story, his settings hint at a larger …
Review: Greenglass House
Today’s review of National Book award longlisted and Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative fiction nominated Greenglass House, by Kate Milford comes from longtime Cybils volunteer, Sherry. A homeschoooling mom and avid reader, she blogs at Semicolon. She also hosts the Saturday Review of Books, which is a great place to find reviews all over the book blogs. About Greenglass House, she writes: I …
Featured Bloggers: Guinevere and Libertad Tomas
This month’s featured bloggers are Guinevere and Libertad at Twinja Book Reviews. We met them at KidlitCon last month, and were impressed by their enthusiasm and energy and passion, and wanted to get to know them a big more. We were glad they took some time to answer our questions about their blog and diversity in YA/Speculative Fiction. Tell us a …
Review: Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty
I’m being indulgent today. Partially, because I hardly ever read and review a collection of poetry. And partially because this is one of those books I want everyone to know about. I recently read and reviewed Poetry nominee Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty, by Christine Heppermann and was completely enthralled. I wrote: I didn’t know what to expect, but …
Review: The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher
Today’s review of Middle Grade Fiction nominee The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher, by Dana Levy comes from Middle Grade second round judge, Alex. An avid reader and a teacher, Alex has enjoyed reading since the age of four. Of the Fletchers, she writes: Everyone I know who has read Dana Levy’s The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher agrees that the …