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: 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: 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: Ghosts of Greenglass House
The co-editor of this very blog, Melissa Fox, is also a Round 1 judge this year in Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction. Melissa is a bookseller, mom, and reader in Kansas who blogs at The Book Nut (and, of course, here!). A couple of months ago she reviewed Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford, the sequel to Greenglass House and …
REVIEW: Caraval
Our featured review for today comes from Round 1 judge for YA Speculative Fiction Rebecca J. Allen, a middle grade author in Connecticut who blogs at The Winged Pen. Back in January, she reviewed YASF nominee Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Scarlett must follow the clues in Legend’s game to find her sister, but winning won’t be easy. In Caraval, no …
REVIEW: A List of Cages
Today’s featured review looks at Young Adult Fiction nominee A List of Cages by Robin Roe. Round 1 judge Kim Baccellia, an author and longtime Cybils judge, reviewed this title for Young Adult Books Central and gave it a rave review: There’s so much to love about this novel which includes how powerful love and friendship are to those who …
REVIEW: Stef Soto, Taco Queen
Happy December! I’m especially excited about today’s featured nominee because the author lives in my area. Reviewed by Cybils veteran and Round 1 judge Sarah Sammis of Puss Reboots, Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres is a nominee this year in Middle Grade Fiction. Sarah reviewed it earlier this year and said: Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres …
REVIEW: 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story
Round 1 Board Books/Fiction Picture Books judge Ami Jones is today’s featured blog reviewer. A familiar face around the Cybils, Ami is a youth services librarian in New Mexico, a mom, and book blogger at A Mom’s Spare Time. Last month she reviewed Fiction Picture Books nominee 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story written by Tara Lazar and illustrated by …
REVIEW: Elizabeth and Zenobia
Our featured reviewer for today, Jenna Grose, is a Round 2 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction judge and aspiring librarian from Canada. She blogs about a variety of books for children and adults at her blog, Falling Letters. Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller is a nominee that follows the spooky Gothic tradition; in her review, Jenna said: A delightful tale …