REVIEW: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Today we’re looking at Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Amazon, IndieBound), an Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee. It was reviewed by the category chair, Charlotte, who blogs at Charlotte’s Library. She wrote:   Wow!  This is so powerful, and sad, and important, and funny (in places), and the sort of book one wants to give to kids Right Now. …

REVIEW: A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks

Today’s review comes from Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction panelist Sandy who blogs at Unpacking the Power of Picture Books  and on Goodreads. She’s reviewed nominee A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks (Amazon, IndieBound), writing:  This is a spectacular biographic portrayal of the incomparable poet, Gwendolyn Brooks. Read the full review here. 

REVIEW: Harold and Hog Pretend for Real

When faced with a book like Easy Reader nominee Harold and Hog Pretend for Real (Amazon, IndieBound), round one panelist Pat, who blogs at her self-titled blog Mrs. Patricia Ann Timbrook, steps up her game:  We will first set a “pretend” mode, meaning that we–you, the reader, and I, the reviewer–will be playing a game together, an imagination game about …

REVIEW: The Wicked King

We’re featuring Young Adult Speculative Fiction nominee The Wicked King (Amazon, IndieBound) today! Our review comes from Young Adult Speculative Fiction round one panelist Grace, who blogs at GraceGetsBooks. She writes:  I read this book over spring break and I read the whole thing in a day. It’s amazing and I cannot wait for The Queen of Nothing, which by the way …

Support Cybils on Cyber Monday!

On this Cyber Monday, please consider buying your purchases using the Cybils affiliate link! We’re a non-profit organization, and every little bit helps! We do get a percentage of every purchase you make when you access Amazon or IndieBound will go directly to us. YAY!  Also, another way to show your support is through our bling! Check out our CafePress …

REVIEW: The Downstairs Girl

Young Adult Fiction Round one panelist Susan, who blogs at Blogging ’bout Books and on  Goodreads, reviews today’s selection, Young Adult Fiction nominee The Downstairs Girl (Amazon, IndieBound). She writes:  There’s a lot going on in this quick, entertaining YA historical. Maybe too much, but it’s still a compelling, fast-paced novel that I enjoyed very much. Read the whole review here.  …

REVIEW: Other Words for Home

Today we’re hearing from Poetry round one panelist Tess who posts reviews at Goodreads and on Instagram. She’s read Poetry nominee Other Words for Home (Amazon, IndieBound), and wrote:  Building empathy one book, one voice at a time has never felt so critical. You can read the whole review here. 

REVIEW: Extraordinary Birds

Today’s review is of Middle Grade Fiction nominee Extraordinary Birds (Amazon, IndieBound). Round one panelist Thompson McLoud, who blog over at Young Adult Books-What We’re Reading Now, was super enthusiastic about the book, writing:  What an extraordinary book! The is the gem of 2019 and a MUST READ which is likely to become One Book for many schools and will …

REVIEW: The Stonewall Riots

Junior/Senior High panelist Beth blogs over at Library Chicken and does these huge (impressive!) reading round-ups. She caught Senior High Non-Fiction nominee The Stonewall Riots (Amazon, IndieBound) in one of her round-ups, writing this:  At first I was bothered by the loose chronology, where from one short chapter to another I wouldn’t be sure where on the timeline I was. …

REVIEW: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

Today we’re looking at Young Adult Graphic Novel nominee Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (Amazon, IndieBound). Junior/Senior High Nonfiction judge Anne, who blogs at My Head is Full of Books, reviewed it over the summer, writing:  Tamaki is a genius at understanding people, specifically teens. Read the full review here.