This list breathes fire. Ha! Friendly monsters, fearsome beasts, dragon quests, and of course some fire-breathing creatures! Sure, there are fantasy stories, but were you expecting a re-imagining of the evacuation of Dunkirk? planning a visit to the post office of the dragon tamer? Finding dragons hiding in a group home? Dragoncraft by Dorothy A Winsor Young Adult Speculative Fiction …
Comfort Food: The Book List #CYBILS2024
Today we’re whipping up some book deliciousness. Shall we keep going with our metaphors? Okay! Read on to taste stories where characters stir the pots; wanna-be chefs mix it up in cooking competitions; where ingredient “mishaps” create new family recipes; secret ingredients are shared; and food feeds our souls! From passing down family recipes to saving the family business to …
Secrets & Lies, Codes & Spies: a Book Pairing Set
Espionage. Spy craft. Secret messages. Spies real and imagined. Readers have it all in this quad of books that offer true stories, fictional tales, and even a bit of magic. Read aloud or independently, these books offer timeless stories of inspiration and courage, even as they immerse young readers in a world before their time.
GOAL! A Trio of Women in Soccer Books
If ever there was a “year in women’s sports,” 2024 would certainly rank among them. From the Summer Olympic games to the WNBA – and beyond – there is a surge of interest in female athletes. And not just among girls. Sports fans love their sports and the athletes who play the game. Introduce young readers with the women who …
Name that Food: A #CYBILS2024 Foodie’s Booklist
Apparently, we love reading about food as much as we enjoy eating it. This year there are nearly 50 books that dish out a food-ish element. Books with a food in the title. Books with characters with food-y names. Books about cooks and chefs. Books about growing, eating, and making food. Books that celebrate sharing food. All of the above. …
The 2024 #CYBILS Awards Gift Guide
Holiday shopping time is here. You want to give books. You want them to love it. We can help. Books make the best gifts, don’t they? Keeping it fresh, though, isn’t always easy. We love a crafting book pairs (as you know from this post and this one). We’re back again with a new take on book pairings: micro themes. …
Who’s Got Game?
Sure, these are books about sports, but at their heart, they are stories about people. About persevering in the face of _______. About overcoming obstacles, real and imagined. About finding purpose beyond sports. About realizing there is more to life than [sport.] From ball sports to track and field, wheel sports to ancient games. Explore a sport you love or …
From Classics to MMORPG: #CYBILS2024 Games & Puzzles Book List
Welcome to the #CYBILS2024 Game & Puzzle Emporium … book list style. Make your move on with classic puzzles like Rubik’s Cube, perennial favorite chess; online and roleplaying games, and, last but not least, adventurous quests and escape rooms. And in case you were wondering, there is (a lot) more to these stories than competition and winning. friendship challenges loyalty …
Indigenous Voices Book List #CYBILS2024
November is National American Indian Heritage Month, a time to “celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities.” As we have done in the past, we are celebrating the histories, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native peoples in books for children and teens. This list includes books written and illustrated …
Read widely. Here’s why. | #fREADom guest post by Melissa Fox
We are concluding our series about the power of fREADom and the importance of book choice with a post from Melissa Fox. Her essay touches on each of the key elements of the fREADom concept. Melissa Fox has been part of the CYBILS Awards since its early days. In addition to being the Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction chair, she is the Board …