Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 YA Graphic Novel Finalists

Tuesday seems like a great day to enjoy Graphic Novels, yes? Yeah, you’re right. ANY DAY is an awesome day to dive into graphics. So let’s do it! 2023 WINNER In Limbo Deb JJ Lee First Second Books Nominated by: Kristen Tamara @ Bookish Things -The art in this is so gorgeous. It’s pretty much all in blue and gray …

Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 Poetry Novel In Verse Finalists

Can a middle-grade verse novel about table tennis bring adults to tears? Yes. [Did you notice we said “adults” – plural.] If you are looking for fresh, captivating, thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud books, look no further than this year’s list of Poetry Novel in Verse finalists. While the books themselves are labeled for “middle grade” and “young adult” audiences, it is pretty …

FRI-YA | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 02.09.2024

Is it us or is there an uptick in the number of book descriptions and reviews that include references to other media [usually books or movies]? We bring you Exhibit A. Two of these statements came from the Goodreads description about the book, two-and-a-half came from our judges. Perfect for fans of All Out and Cemetery Boys Reminds Me Of: Ghosts, Be …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 02.07.2024

One week, friends! Just one more week until the 2023 CYBILS Awards winners are announced. You probably already added the finalists and winners to your TBR, and that’s cool, but our judges read A LOT of great books that, while not award winners, will definitely be winners with young readers. Yes, even picky tween readers. x See for yourself. Book …

Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 2.5.2024

Lions and tigers and cats, oh my. Sorry, we couldn’t resist. But it’s true. Today’s roundup has those three creatures. But there’s more! This list of 2023-nominated books includes  include stories of family, friendship, feelings, and, well … see for yourself. And have a FANTASTIC Monday. Book cover and summary excerpt from Goodreads. Click to see more details and reviews. …

#CYBILS2023 The Ones That Got Away – a FRI-YA Edition

Surprise! We’re changing up our FRI-YA review collection with one of our fan favorites: The Ones That Got Away! Laura Fineberg Cooper, who blogs at Writers’ Rumpus was a Round 1 judge in the YA Fiction category; and Sarah Miller, who writes the Can We Read? newsletter at Substack, was a Round 1 judge in Poetry. Summaries excerpted from Goodreads. …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.30.2024

ttttt Summaries excerpted from Goodreads. Click the cover to read the full summary, other reviews, and add these books to your TBR. FICTION Jessica @ Cracking the Cover – You might know Chad Morris and Shelly Brown from their previous collaborations. All are strong middle grade novels. I enjoyed them all. But The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry is my favorite. …

Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.29.2024

This week? Books for all your senses. With a nod to nature: a textured board book (watch out for the cactus) to things we cannot see (hold onto your hat, there’s a breeze today) to where colors come from! And a nod to creativity, ingenuity, and family: There are makers and artists, a party planner, birthdays to celebrate, and some …

Fri-YA | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.26.2024

High school nonfiction fun? A mystery that makes you laugh? A graphic novel by the director of a television show? Yes. Yes. And Yes. Read on … Book summaries excerpted from Goodreads. Click the cover to see the full summary and additional reviews. YOUNG ADULT FICTION Christopher @ Plucked from the Stacks – Sometimes a title tells you everything you …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.24.2024

I’m not even sure where to begin … Readers will move through time and space, both literal and figurative. They’ll meet characters with whom they will feel a kinship – and others who will draw out other emotions they may not know how to unpack. Big themes, big emotions, and still lots of joy, laughter, adventure, and brave new worlds. …