Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction judge Katy Kramp is a public librarian who blogs at A Library Mama, and she brings us our featured review of the day. A couple of months ago she reviewed finalist title Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh: Here’s a super-creepy book by We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh for those who want to …
REVIEW: Soupy Leaves Home
It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day! For an excellent look at the history of King’s time period, check out the March graphic novel series by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and illustrated by Nate Powell. (March, Book 3 was one of our winners in last year’s contest.) The featured finalist review of the day also looks at a YA graphic novel: …
REVIEW: Shark Lady
The category of the day today is Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction, and the featured blogger is Jen Naughton, a writer and homeschool educator who blogs at Geek Reads Kids. Recently, she reviewed Elementary Nonfiction finalist Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist, written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens: I’d …
REVIEW: We Need More Nuts! (Penguin Young Readers, Level 2)
Cybils category chair Jennifer Wharton blogged about today’s featured title back in October on her blog Jean Little Library, where she writes book reviews of titles for all ages as well as posting about the library life. We Need More Nuts! (Penguin Young Readers, Level 2) by Jonathan Fenske is a finalist this year in the Easy Readers category: Fenske’s …
REVIEW: The Hate U Give
As we enter the Round 2 judging period, we have the opportunity to look at reviews of our fabulous finalist titles from throughout the previous year, and our first such review looks at Young Adult Fiction finalist The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This widely buzzed title was reviewed by high school teacher William Polking at the group blog …
REVIEW: Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Today’s finalist review is one of six worthy competitors from the Young Adult Speculative Fiction category–Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, author of the acclaimed Shadow and Bone trilogy. This novel brings readers a new story featuring the beloved DC character recently rebooted on the silver screen. Round 1 judge and YA author Tanita Davis reviewed it on Finding Wonderland …
REVIEW: The Playbook
Kwame Alexander is known for his novels in verse, but he’s also written Poetry nominee The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life, a sort of sports-focused guide to life, success, and happiness. Round 1 judge and Cybils veteran Gary Anderson reviewed this title over the summer on his blog What’s Not Wrong? and …
REVIEW: Beyond the Bright Sea
Our featured Cybils review for today comes from Round 2 Middle Grade Fiction judge Tara Smith, a sixth grade teacher in suburban New Jersey who blogs at A Teaching Life. Over the summer, she looked at Middle Grade Fiction nominee Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk: On the surface, Beyond The Bright Sea reads like is a suspenseful mystery, …
REVIEW: Beastly Brains
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift idea for nonfiction-loving kids in your life, an animal book is almost always a hit–today’s review looks at Junior High Nonfiction nominee Beastly Brains: Exploring How Animals Think, Talk, and Feel by Nancy Castaldo. Round 1 judge Rebecca G. Aguilar, a writer and avid reader who blogs at Mostly About Nonfiction, reviewed this …
REVIEW: All’s Faire in Middle School
Today’s featured review looks at a new Middle Grade Graphic Novel nominee from 2015 Cybils winner Victoria Jamieson. Her newest book is All’s Faire in Middle School, and if you’re a Renaissance Faire fan, you won’t want to miss it. Round 1 judge Corrina Allen, who is a podcaster at Books Between and blogger at All the Wonders, reviewed this …