Cybils and COVID-19: Some Changes

We here at the Cybils want to recognize excellence and kid-friendly-ness in as many books as possible. This is why, over the years, our categories have expanded to include a huge variety of ages and genres. We feel it is important to highlight the excellence that is going on in all areas of the publishing industry.    That said, 2020 is a …

Cybils 2020: We Need Your Help!

The CYBILS Board has been meeting to plan the upcoming year and given the global pandemic, we have some concerns about how you are doing and if you have had access to books that would be eligible for this upcoming CYBILS Award Cycle.    To help us make informed decisions, we are asking that you take this short CYBILS Feedback Form. The …

Cybils Awards TBR Reading Challenge

First of all: All of us here at the Cybils are hoping that you are well, adjusting to our new stay-at-home “normal” and are staying safe! With that in mind, we have something fun for you to do! Spring Reading sounds so much more fun than “spring cleaning,” doesn’t it? More time at home means more time for reading … …

KidLitCon 2020

Now that we’ve finished the Cybils season, we can turn our attention to the next big thing: KidLitCon 2020! If you haven’t heard, it’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this year, and is sponsored by the Ann Arbor Public Library and the Cybils! It’s March 27 and 28 and the registration deadline is in one week: February 24th. Check out the …

The 2019 CYBILS Winners!

We’d first like to thank all our round two judges for their time and deliberation. As always, they did a fantastic job, and we’re so happy with the winners this year.  And so, without further ado, here they are! Board Books Jump! (Amazon, IndieBound)  by Tatsuhide Matsuoka Gecko Press Nominated by: Terry Doherty Move outdoors or to the gymnasium before sharing this …

Tomorrow! Cybils Winners Announced! Be there!

Just a reminder that our favorite day — CYBILS WINNERS DAY! — is nigh! At 9:30 a.m. PST TOMORROW (February 14th) we’ll announce this year’s CYBILS winners!! You’ll want to come back for that; the winners this year are FANTASTIC! While you’re waiting for the winners to be announced, please consider making a donation to support the Cybils mission. Your donation …

REVIEW: Patron Saints of Nothing

Our final review for the season (yay!) is of Young Adult Fiction finalist On The Come Up (Amazon, IndieBound). And because it’s the last one, here’s a review I did on my blog Book Nut.  I wrote: Thomas is a talented writer, telling stories that not only are representative for the world around her and accessible to her target audience, but …

REVIEW: Maybe He Just Likes You

Today we’re featuring a review by Middle Grade Fiction judge Jaymie, who blogs at The Neverending TBR. She reviewed finalist Maybe He Just Likes You (Amazon, IndieBound), writing:  This is an important book for middle grade readers, especially upper elementary students and middle school students. It gives language to kids for this very specific and nuanced kind of bullying and harassment. …

REVIEW: Mummies Exposed!

Today’s featured review is of Junior High Non-fiction finalist Mummies Exposed!: Creepy and True #1 (Amazon, IndieBound). Our reviewer is round one panelist Beth, who blogs at Library Chicken. About Mummies, she wrote:  It’s cheerfully factual and ends with a discussion of the controversies in studying human remains. Read the whole review here. 

REVIEW: The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems

Today’s review The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems (Amazon, IndieBound) comes from Poetry round one panelist Anastasia, who has a blog on her author website. She wrote:  Be they practical or fanciful, the poems in this book boast a flair and joy that you won’t find in any instruction manual.  Read the whole review here.