Today’s featured review looks at Young Adult Graphic Novels nominee Shadow of the Batgirl by Sarah Kuhn, illustrated by Nicole Goux: I was obsessed with watching this furtive, skittish girl warm up to the two women in this story who could help her so much if she gave them a chance. And of course I loved the library setting for …
REVIEW: Bo the Brave
The featured review for today looks at Fiction Picture Books nominee Bo the Brave by Bethan Woolvin: Kids are enamored of Woollvin’s subversive reinterpretations of classic fairy tales, and her art’s distinctive color schemes and shapes. Their parents and grandparents are (usually) amused too. Click here to read the full review from Round 1 judge Cecelia Larsen on The Adventures …
REVIEW: Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island)
In our featured review for the day, you’ll find out more about Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island) by Alex Aster: This adventure has some amazing world building and is the primer to Colombian mythology that I didn’t know I needed. Emblem Island is a fantastical place where kids wake up marked with the emblem …
REVIEW: Our Friend Hedgehog
Today’s featured review looks at Early Chapter Books nominee Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren Castillo: The animal characters are lovable, and each has his or her own distinct personality. We loved Owl and his penchant for defining vocabulary words. This story has the feel of a classic, with its cozy illustrations and animal friends teaching values. …
REVIEW: Parachutes
Today’s featured review looks at Young Adult Fiction nominee Parachutes by Kelly Yang: I think the representation of Chinese students coming to America for high school was so interesting. Yang did a lot of research into this and it really shows itself in the story. Click here to read the full review by Round 1 judge Grace Barker, a Creative …
REVIEW: Fly Like a Girl
Our featured Cybils nominee for today is Young Adult Nonfiction title Fly Like a Girl: One Woman’s Dramatic Fight in Afghanistan and on the Home Front, a Young Readers Edition of the memoir by Mary Jennings Hegar: The combat chapters are exciting. The descriptions of the different bases with their own cultures and rhythms bring them to life, and the …
REVIEW: Fighting Words
Today’s featured review looks at a nominee from the Middle Grade Fiction category–Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: Wow. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is better than any writer I know at instilling in my heart a fierce, compassionate love for girls who have come through abuse. That may sound like it’s a sordid, gritty story – but she manages to write …
REVIEW: InvestiGATORS
Our featured review for today looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels nominee InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green, the first in a series about a super spy alligator duo: The book reminds me of Richard Scarry’s Great Pie Robbery mysteries, and would probably be appropriate as a read-aloud for a similar age, perhaps 4 or 5 year olds. The full review, …
REVIEW: The Paper Kingdom
Fiction Picture Books nominee The Paper Kingdom, written by Helena Ku Rhee and illustrated by Pascal Campion, is the subject of today’s featured review: I loved how the parents created a fantasy world for their young son. I love how they advised him to be considerate, kind, and nice when he becomes king. Click here to read the full review …
REVIEW: Ghost Squad
Today’s featured review is from the Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category–Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega: The story features an Own Voices representation of Dominican folklore and culture, and it also puts a spotlight on strong friendships and family bonds (including found family). The story is very action-oriented, and kids who like a fast-moving plot will be entranced. The full review …