The 2015 Finalists: What’s Being Said, Part 2

@yainterrobang @cybils @courtney_s Aaahhhhhhhhh! So thrilled, and for ALL THE RAGE too! Thank you! — Nova Ren Suma (@novaren) January 1, 2016 @YAReviewNet @cybils @courtney_s @andimJULIE @thejuby @tamaraistone @ElanaKArnold Wow!! I'm so honored!! Thank youuu!! — Nicola Yoon (@NicolaYoon) January 1, 2016 Cuckoo Song is one of the finalists for the elementary/middle grade speculative fiction category of the #cybils! https://t.co/vICHpCFZqV …

The 2015 Finalists: What’s Being Said, Part 1

One of our favorite parts of the Cybils announcements is seeing all the excitement. We thought we’d share some of the tweets and posts we saw over the past couple of days.  There was so much excitement, in fact, that one post can’t hold it all. Let us know if we missed yours! Unexpected award shortlisting is unexpected! And delightful! What a …

The 2015 Finalists

Given our colorful logo at the top of this page, I keep thinking it’s been ten years since Cybils rolled out its very first roster of finalists. It’s actually been nine – but this is our 10th contest, inclusive.  My 8th grade Algebra I teacher, Mr. Cloutier, is somewhere shaking his head in my direction at my stubborn innumeracy. I’m …

REVIEW: Bone Gap

The featured blog review of the day is YA Speculative Fiction nominee Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, reviewed by Round 1 judge Maureen Eichner. Maureen is a library assistant in the Indianapolis area who blogs at By Singing Light, where she focuses on middle grade and YA books, especially sci-fi and fantasy. In her review of Bone Gap earlier this …

REVIEW: The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy

Happy Holidays from the Cybils! We hope everyone is able to find a bit of relaxation during the holidays and some time to enjoy a good book. To that end, today’s featured review is YA Nonfiction nominee The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs. It was reviewed earlier this year by Round 1 judge Jennifer Rothschild, who manages …

REVIEW: Changes: A Child’s First Poetry Collection

Changes: A Child’s First Poetry Collection, by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, is a poetic celebration of changing seasons by a classic children’s poet. Round 1 Poetry judge Carol Wilcox, a mom and educator who blogs at Carol’s Corner, reviewed it recently and said: “The poems are lovely, and gentle, and cyclical, and comforting. A perfect lap book …

REVIEW: Everything, Everything

Our featured blog review of the day looks at YA Fiction nominee Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Earlier in the year, Round 1 YA Fiction judge Karen Jensen reviewed this book for her blog Teen Librarian Toolbox hosted at School Library Journal. Karen, a veteran Young Adult/Teen Services Librarian, gave this book a rave review: “This is a beautiful and …

REVIEW: Finding the Worm

Today’s review was written by Round 2 Middle Grade Fiction judge Greg Pattridge, a teacher, consultant and writer who blogs at Always in the Middle. Earlier this year, he reviewed MG Fiction nominee Finding the Worm, the sequel to Twerp by Mark Goldblatt. About this coming-of-age story, Greg said: “This sequel, set in 1969-70, has Julian at age 13 returning to …

REVIEW: Sunny Side Up

Today’s featured review has a little bit of sunshine for you: Sunny Side Up, a graphic novel for elementary and middle grade readers by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, the team behind Babymouse. Our reviewer is Alex Baugh, a Round 2 judge in Middle Grade Fiction this year. Alex is a former 4th grade teacher and historical fiction enthusiast …