You’ll find no dragons or magic, robots or vampires here. Just real people, in the real world, in real situations. In a good YA novel teens will find themselves and discover their world. A great YA novel will do both of those while respecting and appealing to its audience. We are looking for a handful of the greatest teen novels …

Poetry is what this category is all about. We’re seeking the best poetry collection for kids or teens. Now, some of the poetry collections are fully illustrated and have the size, shape & appearance of picture books. When deciding if something belongs here, ask yourself "Is this a collection of poems?" A picture book that is written in rhyme belongs …

Kids are curious about absolutely anything, so that’s what the books in the non-fiction picture book category will be about–absolutely anything!  As long as it’s true and factual, of course. (it’s gotta be "not fiction", after all!). Science, art, history, sports, current events–and more–are all fair game, from slice-of-life biographies and other true stories kids will read beginning-to-end, to list …

The middle grade years are those with the most potential to turn a child into a reader for life. It’s often the books you read between the ages of 8-12 that you remember long into adulthood as your dearest books of all. These are the years when kids really and truly start to figure themselves out as readers–their likes and …

Facts First! Don’t fall under the misconception that facts are boring. Facts can break boundaries. Facts can open eyes. Facts can inspire. Facts can do anything fiction can do. Maybe more. Not that we don’t love fiction, but nonfiction has been a special focus of many bloggers in the kidlitosphere since the inception of Nonfiction Monday for good reason. We …

Pictures and stories; stories and pictures. While many of the Cybils categories explore one or the other, only the Graphic Novel category looks at the unique melding of words and images that is comics. Whether it’s the daring deeds of superheroes or realistic stories of middle school life, sweeping fantasy tales or terrifying works of horror, graphic novels offer a …

A good picture book is a pleasing merger of text and artwork. A great picture book is a celebration of story and illustration, with lasting appeal for kids and/or adults. The best picture books completely excel in art, story, kid-friendliness, and adult appeal. A Cybils-winning picture book adds that special "It Factor." In message, in world-view, in connection, in humor, …

Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone," said "Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science fiction is the improbable made possible." In the Fantasy and Science Fiction category, that sentiment is at the heart of the best novels for children and teens. The winning novel published in 2008 will have amazing world building that brings newly discovered lands and worlds …

Easy readers are books with simple words and short sentences for children who are learning how to read. While picture books are read to a child by an adult, easy readers are meant to be read by the child himself. Easy readers are the bridge between picture books and chapter books. (You’ll know you’ve found an easy reader when you …