We’re going to take a few day’s hiatus here from blogging (though not from reading) and instead enjoy the company of other Cybil-ites (and other KidLit Enthusiasts) at KidlitCon 2014. If you’re not coming, the nomination form will be still be up and running (for 5 more days) so feel free to weigh in with your favorite books. If you are …
Review: Always Emily
Today’s review of the day comes from long-time Cybils’ panelist and judge, Leila Roy. A librarian tucked away in Maine, Leila blogs at both Bookshelves of Doom and Kirkus, where she releases her enthusiastic love (and snark) on books. Of Young Adult Fiction nominee Always Emily by Michaela MacColl, Leila writes: As the cover art and the name “Brontë” suggest, the book features plenty …
Review: Eerie Elementary #1: The School Is Alive!
Today’s featured review of Eerie Elementary #1: The School is Alive! by Jack Chabert comes from round one panelist, Katie Fitzgerald. A former children’s librarian in Washington D. C., Katie now blogs at Story Time Secrets. Of the Easy Reader/Chapter Book nominee, Katie writes: Kids who like scary adventures will feel that they have hit the jackpot with this new series. These plot-driven tales are …
And…. GO! 2014 Cybils Nominations are OPEN
Welcome to the NINTH annual Cybils awards! You can now go and nominate any book to your heart’s content. Well… maybe not ANY book. So here are a few things to get you started: First off, be sure to check out our category descriptions. If you’re not sure where your book should go, PLEASE check these out. If you’re not quite sure, …
Nominations Open TOMORROW!
Today is the last day in September, and you know what this means, right? Only 31 more days until Halloween! Also, just 24 more hours until you can nominate books for the Cybils Awards. Rules are so ridiculously simple, even I can follow them. And I made them up! I’m some sort of genius, I guess: Anybody can nominate a …
Young Adult Non-fiction – Category Description
Young Adult Nonfiction is not known for being the most glamorous category, perhaps others might say that is fiction. The books in this category do take our readers on journeys and with these journeys; we have the added benefit with knowing they are true. We do not have to ask readers to suspend belief because we know that when we …
Young Adult Speculative Fiction – Category Description
Speculative Fiction takes us to realms of the imagination: places and times and realities where the rules of life may be different than our own and where the impossible and improbable become real. But good science fiction and fantasy does more than that: it asks, “What if?” It makes us think. It holds up a mirror to our own society …
Young Adult Fiction – Category Description
The world as it was and is. Not as it could, or would, or should be. Send the dystopias and space operas, the fairies and angels, the blood-suckers, zombies, and alternate realities to Seculative Fiction. In YA Fiction we are looking for realistic fiction, be it contemporary or historical, funny or mysterious, romantic or adventurous. We want the real world …
Poetry – Category Description
Poetry is tiny but mighty in nominations. From words that rhyme, words that flow and shape emotions on all different topics to poetic forms, the Poetry Genre is home to a veritable stew of entries. These books will appeal to the very young, middle grade and/or young adults. What belongs in Poetry? Anthologies and poetry collections written by various authors or a single author …
Book Apps – Category Description
What is a book app? Book apps combine the interactive elements of tablet computers with literature and storytelling. Readers experience the story by interacting with the book. Many book apps provide readers with opportunities to listen to narration and sound effects, read the text on the page, view animation, swipe, tap, record and much more. In the most effective book …