Civil Rights. Voting Rights. Individual Rights. Human Rights. These are some of the many issues in our society where people are moved beyond voicing opinions to “doing something” to influence change. Sadly, while they may seem “new” to our children’s consciousness, these ills are not new to us. For better or worse, since 2016, nearly 100 Cybils-nominated books have centered …
#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: Middle-Grade Fiction Reads
Is there anything better than relaxing in your favorite reading spot, lost in a book? Exactly! If you follow us on Twitter, you know that we often tweet about books that are soon or just newly released. BUT! Before you put the hold on that shiny new book – and wait your turn in line! – why not enjoy some …
Introducing the #Cybils2021 Idea Boards
Last year, we experimented with a way to celebrate, share, and recommend books that you, passionate readers of youth literature, thought were worthy of Cybils Awards consideration in 2020. So we created Padlets. The upside was that we discovered LOTS of books that you loved, including many we didn’t know about. We had an amazing, diverse collection of books that …
The 2020 Cybils Winners!
Year after year, it never ceases to amaze us how the Cybils Awards manages to come together. From the people who volunteer as chairs to the panelists who spend so much of their fall reading, to the judges who thoughtfully deliberate to choose a winner. It was especially challenging this year, with the pandemic, and we are especially grateful for …
The BIG Day is Nearly Here!
Get ready! The announcement for the 2020 Cybils Finalists are TOMORROW, Feburary 14th at 9 a.m PST. We’re super excited to share it all with you!
REVIEW: Echo Mountain
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: Class Act
Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist Class Act by Jerry Craft is the focus of today’s featured blogger review: Fitting in, showing someone you like them, making and challenging assumptions, and finding your own way in life–all of these very real concerns for tweens and teens are beautifully represented in the students of Riverdale Academy Day School. Click here to read …
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: What About Worms!?
Our featured blog review today takes a closer look at Easy Readers finalist What About Worms!? (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) by Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems: Too funny! Tiger is just what I’ve come to expect from Ryan T. Higgins. Tiger isn’t grumpy like Ryan’s other character Bruce. Instead, he’s a little bit of a mess especially when …