News flash: Bloggers love the Cybils! Well, actually, it’s several news flashes–far too many to post here, but we’ve provided a sampling of the Cybils love from around the web. The Cybils team appreciates the help that everyone has given us in spreading the word about the Cybils and about nominations (and if you haven’t done it yet, be sure …
Introducing Kerry Millar, Middle Grade Fiction Organizer
Today we meet Kerry Millar, category organizer for Middle Grade Fiction: Hello fellow Cybilers: nominators, panelists and judges! I’ve been teaching Grade 5 for three years, so I’ve got some solid first-hand know-how about what’s going on out there in Middle-Grade-land–what’s cool, what’s old, what has true kid appeal and what doesn’t. Before teaching, I was part pastry chef, part …
Got Nomination Questions?
Please keep your questions to genre-bending books. Is it a graphic novel, or is it a picture book? Is it fantasy, or is it YA? Lots of titles cross genre boundaries, and it’s part of the job of the Cybils organizers to help you figure out where a book belongs. If you’re not sure which category is most appropriate for …
2008 Nominations
Young Adult Fiction
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 …
2008 Nominations
Poetry
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 …
2008 Nominations
Non-Fiction Picture Books
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 …
2008 Nominations
Middle Grade Fiction
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 …
2008 Nominations
Non-Fiction MG/YA Books
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 …
2008 Nominations
Graphic Novels
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 …
2008 Nominations
Fiction Picture Books
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, …