Fri-YA | #CYBILS2023 Books 1.19.24

How much did our judges love these books? One added a title to her Christmas Wish List to have her own personal copy. One put it on her purchase list to make sure she has it available for all her classes. Another, who doesn’t normally like poetry for storytelling, really enjoyed a novel in verse. A Fri-YAY, indeed! Have a …

#CYBILS2023 The Ones That Got Away – Poetry Edition

If you’re looking for books that evoke all the emotions, then you need to check out this list of poetry books that our judges loved, but which didn’t make the finalist lists. . If you are saying to yourself but I don’t like poetry, then read on. No, seriously. We think Sarah, Sheri, and Matt can change your mind. History. …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.17.24

We won’t keep you … there are a lot of fascinating, I-want-to-read-that books on the list. Including a novel in verse!! One thing we will also want to point out is that several reviewers recommended listening to the audio editions … and not just fiction!  Summaries excerpted from Goodreads. Click the book cover to go to see more details. Middle-Grade …

The IN be-TWEEN | #CYBILS2023 Reviews 01.10.24

Wednesday. That day in the middle between weekends!! See where we’re going here? The perfect day to share books for tweens, aka the middle-grade audience. The weekly collection will include selections from the Middle-Grade Fiction, Middle-Grade Nonfiction, Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel, and Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction, and Poetry categories. Book summaries from Goodreads. Click the book cover to view the full summary …

Poetry Friday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.22.2023

This week’s featured poetry books tap into “childish things” that are timely, timeless, and as engaging for adult readers as they are for the intended audience. There is that sense of wonder that comes with the lights, decorations, and all things abstract or unseen during the dawn of the winter season. Then there is the magic of it all … …

Poetry Friday | #CYBILS2023 Book Reviews 12.8.2023

Roses are red, violets are blue, we hope December is being good to you! Welcome to the first #PoetryFriday of December! This week’s featured books will entice readers of all ages. The Museum on the Moon entwines history through verse that will awe curious minds and bring back memories for those of use who watched the Apollo missions on television. …

Dinos. And dragons. And monsters. OH MY!

Don’t be scared! This gathering of dinosaurs, dragons, and monsters are (for the most part) pretty harmless. In fact, they’re playful and funny and cute, too. From well-known fantasy writers to debut authors, there are lots of wonderful stories to share … and might we suggest reading aloud? Yes, we might. Summaries are from Goodreads. Click the book cover link …

Full STEAM Ahead: a #CYBILS2023 Book List

First things first: there is no such thing as “boy books” or “girl books.” Books are books. Kids are kids. And for young readers curiosity, fascinating stuff, and (possibly) great illustrations drive interest more than the identity of the main character. Space exploration, mythology, robotics, virtual reality … all equal-interest subjects. Now that we have that out of the way …

#CYBILS2023 Books by Previous Winners

Turning 18 has made us a bit nostalgic … and yet looking forward, too. That got us thinking … wouldn’t it be fun to see how many 2023 CYBILS Awards nominees are written by previous winners? So we dug into the archives to find which CYBILS Awards winners of yore who have new books being considered this year. Quite a …

Twice-Told Tales: Retellings & Remixes a #CYBILS2023 Book List

Classics. The stories that are timeless and have been read and re-read for generations. Reading of Romeo and Juliet for ninth grade English doesn’t count, but what about Pride and Prejudice? Or Beowulf? Or children’s stories like the Three Little Pigs and nursery rhymes like Humpty Dumpty? Well, in 2023 those stories – and more – have been refreshed and …