A Snake Falls to Earth Darcie Little Badger Levine Querido Nominated by: Sondra Eklund Beyond our world lies the mirror world, populated by monsters, spirits, and animals that can take human form. In this mirror world Oli, a cottonmouth, is finding his way for the first time away from his family. His found family forms quickly to include the …
#Cybils2022 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction
Children of the Quicksands Efua Traore Chicken House Nominated by: Kim Aippersbach Simi’s mother raised her in a protective bubble in Lagos, which did nothing to prepare her for a summer spent with her grandmother in a remote village, where the magic of the Yoruba gods and goddesses is real, and modern conveniences aren’t. There she is confronted with …
#Cybils2022 Young Adult Fiction
All My Rage: A Novel Sabaa Tabir Razorbill Nominated by: Anne@HeadFullofBooks Noor’s uncle saved her from a natural disaster when she was a child…and won’t let her forget it. She finds solace in planning her escape. Salahudin struggles with his parents’ health conditions and decisions. The responsibility of the motel Sal’s mother ran now falls on his shoulders after …
#Cybils2022 Finalists!
Before we unveil our outstanding finalists, we want to give out a huge thank you to all our panelists who read more than a thousand books. We had 1045 read by at least 1 panelist and 1010 read by two. There was great discussion and deliberation, and they came up with some amazing shortlists. We also want to thank the …
#CybilsAwards Book Lists: Celebrating Religion and Faith
A Happy Christmas to all those who celebrate today! As a nod to the holiday, and to be more inclusive, I thought we’d celebrate all the books that embrace religion and faith – no matter what it is – in some way. Enjoy this!  Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijabby Priya Huq Harry N Abrams  Huda …
#CybilsAwards Book List: Bird Books
As a bookseller, I (sometimes) notice trends in children’s books, and this year it has seemed to me that there have been a LOT of birding books. (This is not just in kids books; we have a TON of bird books for adults too!) I don’t know if it was the pandemic that made everyone interested in birds and birding, …
WATERCRESS by Andrea Wang #CYBILS 📚🎶
WATERCRESS by Andrea Wang illustrated by Jason Chin Neal Porter Books Winner – Fiction Picture Book 2021 CYBILS Awards The Book Fiction Picture Book Culture & Tradition, Family, Realistic Fiction, Social Issues Watercress is a beautiful lyrical story that transports your mind and heart through words and images. It incorporates a universal childhood desire to fit in while at the …
#CybilsAwards Booklist: Libraries
I am a sucker for books about books and libraries, and there’s quite a handful this year. Though, it seems like it leans younger this year – not too many books for middle grade and YA books about libraries. What we need are more adventures in enchanted libraries out there. Get to work, publishers and authors! Until then, enjoy these! …
#CybilsAwards Book Lists: Classic Tales Retold
In my searching through the nominations/submissions, looking for theme ideas, I noticed that there were a lot of books this year that were retelling or expanding upon classic stories. There are some really fun retellings on this list. Enjoy! Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore Feiwel & Friends Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by …
EVERYWHERE BLUE by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz #CYBILS 📚🎶
Right after we launched our book playlist feature, Joanne Rossmassler Fritz contacted us to share the Spotify playlist her son created for her book EVERYWHERE BLUE. Riya describes it as “stunning.”  EVERYWHERE BLUE By Joanne Rossmassler Fritz Holiday House Winner – Poetry 2021 CYBILS Awards The Book Young Adult Climate Change, Family, Growing Up, Mental Health, Music, Mystery, Realistic Fiction …