#CYBILS2023 The Ones That Got Away – Poetry Edition

If you’re looking for books that evoke all the emotions, then you need to check out this list of poetry books that our judges loved, but which didn’t make the finalist lists. . If you are saying to yourself but I don’t like poetry, then read on. No, seriously. We think Sarah, Sheri, and Matt can change your mind. History. …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.17.24

We won’t keep you … there are a lot of fascinating, I-want-to-read-that books on the list. Including a novel in verse!! One thing we will also want to point out is that several reviewers recommended listening to the audio editions … and not just fiction!  Summaries excerpted from Goodreads. Click the book cover to go to see more details. Middle-Grade …

Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.15.2024

Without really intending to, we’re shooting for the stars with today’s selection of featured reviews. From the literal making of stars to wishing upon a star to (kidlit) star power, we explore the concept in all its brilliance! Summaries excerpted from Goodreads. Click the cover to see full descriptions. EARLY CHAPTER BOOK The Mountain Bookie @ Goodreads – This book …

#CYBILS2023 The Ones That Got Away: Middle-Grade Edition

Remember when we said our judges read more than 1,240 books for the 2023 CYBILS Awards? Well, more than 350 of those books were written for the middle-grade audience. As you might expect, there were some books that judges crossed their fingers and toes for in hopes *that book* making the finalist list – that weren’t on those lists. HOWEVER. …

Fri-YA | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.12.24

If it’s Friday, it’s time for YA. We love all the books, so it just makes sense that we go into the weekend with some ooh-I-want-to-read-that titles for our weekend entertainment. Let’s go! The weekend is calling! PS – It’s not all fiction, either!! We’ve got some high school nonfiction for you, too. Summaries via Goodreads. Click book covers to …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.10.24

Wednesday. That day in the middle between weekends!! See where we’re going here? The perfect day to share books for tweens, aka the middle-grade audience. The weekly collection will include selections from the Middle-Grade Fiction, Middle-Grade Nonfiction, Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel, and Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction, and Poetry categories. Book summaries from Goodreads. Click the book cover to view the full summary …

Monday Books | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 1.8.24

It’s time to get back to the books … the #CYBILS2023 books, that is. We’ve introduced the finalists for each of the categories. Truth is, they are a small portion of the books that readers nominated and believe are CYBILS worthy. So we’re going to keep going. If a reader nominated it and a (round 1) judge wrote a review, …

CYBILS 2023 Young Adult Fiction Finalists

Ander & Santi Were Here: A NovelJonny Garza VillaWednesday BooksNominated by: Linh Ander Martínez’s life is in a time of transition. They grew up embracing the seamless mixture of language, food, and people in their San Antonio neighborhood. Their family has a successful taqueria which gave Ander both their foundation and their inspiration as a muralist. Ander & Santi Were …

CYBILS 2023 Board Books & Fiction Picture Book Finalists

BOARD BOOK FINALISTS Copy That, Copy Cat!: Inventions Inspired by Animals Katrina Tangen, illustrated by Giulia Orecchia Barefoot Books Nominated by: Abi Full of rhyming riddles, die-cut cues, and lift-the-flap reveals, this board book introduces kids to biomimicry. They will love guessing which animals inspired inventions we use today like snowshoes or sonar! Aimee Smith, Keep a Book Out Mister …

CYBILS 2023 Easy Reader & Early Chapter Book Finalists

Easy Readers Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other StoriesJarvisCandlewick PressNominated by: Linda Baie Bear and Bird are the best of friends. So best of friends, in fact, that they would rather make the other happy than always tell the truth. Is it wrong to lie to your friends? What if your lie is to protect their feelings? Bear and …