REVIEW: Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan

Camille blogs at Book Moot, answering the perennial question, "Where are the GOOD books?" Book Moot has been around since 2004, and is one of the most authoritative blogs in the Kidlitosphere. Camille writes about a little bit of everything, from classics that she has never read to her experiences in booktalking to her policy of asking kids for their …

REVIEW: Greetings from Planet Earth by Barbara Kerley

Hi. Kelly, here. Director of the Cybils, editor of The Edge of the Forest, and blogger over at Big A little a. Sadly, I’m not on any panel this year. I chose instead to work behind the scenes and I miss the animated discussions of a nominating panel. Sigh. Still, I’ve been lucky enough to read many of the Cybils-nominated …

REVIEW: The Silenced by James Devita

What can we say about Tadmack (Tanita S. Davis) that will do justice to her awesomeness? Let’s see…Her first novel is coming out soon. She’s wicked smart and shares her reviews and views with us over at Reading YA: Readers’ Rants and Finding Wonderland. (She co-blogs with the equally cool Sarah Stevenson, our Graphic Novels organizer.) And, according to insider …

Happy Holidays!

We’ve all got our noses stuck in books these days, but we’re never too busy to wish all our volunteers, supporters and authors and illustrators a peaceful, joyous and memorable holiday season.    Thanks especially to those of you who did a little Christmas shopping via Amazon after clicking here. It all adds up, and we’re grateful for the help. …

REVIEW: Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Sonny Liew, and Marc Hempel

Writer J.L. Bell is a true fan of fantasy, and not just L. Frank Baum. Though he’s the editor of Oziana, creative magazine of the International Wizard of Oz Club, he’s also an Assistant Regional Advisor in the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators–and he’s a blogger to boot, taking part in this year’s judging panel for Graphic Novels. …

Congratulations Mindy!

The Cybils team would like to congratulate panelist Mindy, who blogs at Propernoun.net, on the birth of her new daughter. We’re all so happy for you, Mindy! Mindy has been a tireless member of the middle grade/young adult nonfiction nominating committee this year, and is already back on board with discussions. We are very fortunate to have her as part …

REVIEW: We Are One by Larry Dane Brimner

At Farm School, Becky writes about "family, books, food, classical home education, books, journeys, music, books, thoughts, movies, and books." She shares details of her family’s life on a farm in Canada, and her experiences in reading with and homeschooling her three elementary school-age children. Becky also writes well-researched posts about topics like adding poetry to your life, the importance …

Two short list dates for the price of one

Our panelists have gotten to know the UPS and post office delivery folks pretty well by now; those boxes keep arriving packed with nominated books. Unfortunately, Santa’s got a lock on those same services this time of year, and anything stamped “Media Mail” is shunted to the back of the sled. We find ourselves in a dilemma: either we’re going …

REVIEW: Penguin by Polly Dunbar

Cheryl Rainfield, a member of the Fiction Picture Book nominating panel, is always looking for the good in children’s books. Cheryl keeps two sets of booklists on her site–one devoted to picture books and the other to Young Adult books–and one book blog.  She’s a reviewing machine! Recently she considered Cybils-nominated picture book Penguin, by Polly Dunbar, and here’s her …

REVIEW: Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers

Traci, who blogs at Fields of Gold, is one of the youngest bloggers working for the Cybils. At just fifteen years old, Traci likes acting, singing, dancing, and reading. Good thing she likes to read. She’s serving on the nominating panel for one of our biggest categories–Fantasy/Science Fiction.  Recently Traci read Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, by R.L. LaFevers, …