Our last featured blogger review of the 2020 Cybils season looks at Middle Grade Fiction finalist Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk: This is the wonderful story of a spunky, persevering and brave twelve year old girl named Ellie. The setting is the wild woods of Maine in the 1930’s. Her parents lost their home in the Great Depression and were …
REVIEW: In a Jar
Today’s featured review looks at Fiction Picture Books finalist In a Jar by Deborah Marcero: Llewellen collects things. In jars. Lots of things. Feathers. Stones. He meets Evelyn, and they collect things together. Things that are hard to hold. Things that they thought might not fit in a jar. But they did… Read the full review on Goodreads by Fiction …
REVIEW: A Wish in the Dark
Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat is the subject of today’s featured blogger review: This says on the cover that it’s a reimagining of Les Miserables. It’s not a blow-by-blow recreation, but we do have the two central characters, one who has broken the law for understandable reasons, and one who believes that …
REVIEW: Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything
Our featured blogger review for today looks at Young Adult Speculative Fiction finalist Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland: Raquel Vasquez Gilliland deeply understands her characters, and there was something about Sia’s voice and Gilliland’s writing that felt so real, so raw, so engrossing. Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything should be …
REVIEW: The Land of the Cranes
Middle Grade Fiction finalist The Land of the Cranes, by Aida Salazar, is the subject of today’s featured blogger review: This MG novel in verse is GORGEOUS and devastatingly sad. I’m so glad I listened to it because the narration by Dani Gonzalez is incredible and adds so much to the experience. Click here to read the full review by …
REVIEW: We Are Water Protectors
Today on the Cybils blog, we are happy to feature a blogger review of Fiction Picture Books finalist We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade: I am rarely speechless, but this book nearly achieves that for me. The incredibly symbolic and fluid and moving illustrations are masterpieces, page by page. Click here to read the rest of …
REVIEW: In The Red
Our featured review for today takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Into the Red by Christopher Swiedler: This exciting survival story made for an intriguing read. Survival stories on earth can be mind-blowing, but trying to survival almost impossible circumstances on Mars?! Not to mention, the main character, Michael, struggles with an anxiety disorder, that definitely …
REVIEW: Clap When You Land
Our featured review for today looks at Young Adult Fiction finalist Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo–specifically, the audiobook version: The audiobook production brings another level to this book, not just because Acevedo herself narrates half this book but because her writing begs to be performed. Her writing is magical and lyrical and her slam poetry background adds such …
REVIEW: From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Middle Grade Fiction finalist title From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks is the subject of today’s featured review: From the Desk of Zoe Washington, a middle-grade novel by debut author Janae Marks, is a quick but impactful read. With themes of racism and wrongful conviction, it’s a timely read that’s as thought-provoking as it is engaging. Although …
REVIEW: I Am Every Good Thing
In our featured blog review for today, read more about Fiction Picture Books finalist I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James: A love letter to African American boys about everything good they are and all of the great things they will become. It did not specifically name a race, but all of the gorgeous …