In my searching through the nominations/submissions, looking for theme ideas, I noticed that there were a lot of books this year that were retelling or expanding upon classic stories. There are some really fun retellings on this list. Enjoy! Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore Feiwel & Friends Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by …
#CybilsAwards Book Lists: Moon and Sky
I’m a bit late for the eclipse that happened back in October, or even the full moon this month, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to highlight the moon (and sky) books! I got pretty literal with this list: if “moon” or “sky” was in the title, it went on the list. Moonlight Prance by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated …
#CybilsAwards Book Lists: Indigenous Voices
It’s Native American Heritage Month, and like last year we want to celebrate the Native Voices books that were nominated or submitted this year. It’s a good list. Enjoy! Powwow Day by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight Charlesbridge Berry Song by Michaela Goade Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Sky Wolf’s Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge by Eldon …
#CybilsAward Book List: Civic Engagement
Election day was last Tuesday, and whatever you feel about the outcome, there is one thing I have noticed: there are more books talking about civil rights, voting, community building, sustainable living, environmentalism, and activism for kids! We thought we’d feature a few that were nominated this year. This Little Voter by Ann Bonnie, Illustrated by Carol Herring little bee …
#CybilsAwards Book List: Forests!
I love fall (honestly: who doesn’t): the changing colors, the crisp air, the falling leaves. And there’s something about fall that makes me want to take a walk through a forest. (I’m usually a beach person!) There’s so much to enjoy in a forest, and here is a collection of our current 2022 nominees and submissions to celebrate all things …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Aliens!
For our last Backlist Booklist of the summer (keep an eye out; the call for judges for our 2022 season is coming soon!) I thought we’d tackle aliens. Maybe it’s because Jordan Peele’s Nope is in the theaters, or because the solution to Wordle the other day was Alien (got it in three!), or because of the images from the …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Sisters
I have a sister and four daughters, so it goes without saying that I love stories about sisters. From Little Women to Twins, stories about sisters are some of the most classic ones out there, highlighting both the joys and paints of having sisters. So why not celebrate sister stories with a list of good Cybils books featuring sisters. Twins …
#CybilsAwards Back List Booklist: Road Trips!
It’s summertime, and summer vacation usually means traveling. Road trips, trips to relatives, visiting family and friends and places. This summer travel will probably involve long airline delays and canceled flights (though it seems everyone I know is spending the summer in Europe…). My preferred way to travel is the road trip; it’s just a lot more laid-back than flying, …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Summer is for Romance
There is a specific book I usually turn to when the days get long and hot: Romance. Not the edgy, literary “love stories”, no: I want the fluffy, meet-cute, love at first sight, romcom-trope-filled books. An absolute bonus, for me, is first love, which means a lot of YA books. Thankfully, we have those in abundance here at the Cybils. …
#Cybils2022 Idea Boards are here!
Last summer we launched the first-ever CYBILS Awards Idea Boards using padlet.com. Our goal: create a place where readers can share their favorite recent reads. Books they can’t stop talking about. Titles they want other readers to discover for themselves. Books they think might have some award-worthy potential. The Idea Boards turned out to be not just a place to …