CEMETERY BOYS By Aiden Thomas Swoon Reads Young Adult Contemporary, Family, Folklore, LGBTQ+, Romance, Urban Fantasy Winner – Young Adult Speculative Fiction 2020 CYBILS Awards The Book Deeply steeped in Latinx culture and folklore, Cemetery Boys weaves magic, identity, and family birthright into a compelling coming of age story. When his family bans him from performing the ritual that would …
BIG by Vashti Harrison a #CYBILS 📚🎶
BIG By Vashti Harrison Little, Brown Books for Young Readers All Ages African American, Emotion, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Storytime Winner – Fiction Picture Book 2023 CYBILS Awards The Book Big by Vashti Harrison is a stunning picture book that explores the meaning of being big in a world that often values small. The story follows a young girl …
LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds a #CYBILS 📚🎶
LONG WAY DOWN By Jason Reynolds Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books Poetry young adult, family, ghost stories, realistic fiction CW: violence Winner – Poetry 2018 CYBILS Awards The Book Long Way Down is a tour de force work of poetry. The entire novel in verse takes place on an elevator ride as a young man whose brother has been shot and killed …
Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 Early Chapter Book Finalists
Here we are, friends! It seems only appropriate that Early Chapter Books be the “final chapter” in our posts sharing judges reviews of 2023 CYBILS Awards finalists and winners. There are a few familiar series and new faces, too. These stories also welcome young readers into stories that may be comfortable and fun, and others that will expose them to …
Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 Board Book Finalists
Colorful Bright Interactive Cute Destined to be a favorite … everything you want in a board book, yes? There’s no shortage of animals, learning, or engaging questions for young readers, either. Whether you have a toddler scurrying onto your lap for storytime or you want the perfect gift for a baby shower or toddler birthday, you won’t go wrong with …
Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 Finalists Poetry Collections
Roses are red. Violets are blue. If you don’t like college basketball. This list is for you. Happy #PoetryFriday to you. For some of us, basketball is a kind of poetry in motion. For others, well, it just isn’t. Thankfully, this roundup of poetry books can help. Moving, funny, imaginative, jarring … all found in the pages of these poetry …
Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 Middle Grade Fiction Finalists
It’s Middle-Grade Monday, y’all! 2023 WINNER Simon Sort of Says Bow, Erin Disney Hyperion–Rick Riordan presents Nominated by: Susan (Bloggin’ ’bout Books) Sondy @ Sonderbooks – [This has] got so many wonderful ingredients: Quirky characters who seem more realistic because of those quirks, a new kid in school at a very distinctive place, loving parents but kid-centric adventures, a main …
Book Reviews: #CYBILS2023 YA Speculative Fiction FInalists
What “binds” all of these books together? Besides being for young adults? and speculative fiction? with amazing cover art? Well, we could tell you, but you are such a savvy, discerning reader, we know you’ll find the answer. This much we’ll share: the word “original” was used by multiple judges across multiple books; and two titles made a fantasy lover out of …
#CYBILS2023 Book Review: YA Fiction Finalists
ICYMI – This year’s slate of Young Adult Fiction finalists includes two debut authors. In fact, the award-winning book is the debut novel of Jas Hammonds. The stories are contemporary, compelling, heart-tugging, and heart-wrenching. Things you’d expect in coming-of-age stories. There’s drama, intense storytelling, mystery, family, and … well, let’s turn it over to our judges to tell you more. …
#CYBILS2023 Book Reviews: Fiction Picture Book Finalists
What are you doing this Monday morning? Us? Oh, we’re “March-ing Fourth” with reviews for the 2023 CYBILS Awards finalists and winner in the Fiction Picture Book Category. From “lovely,” “beautiful,” and “powerful” to “funny,” “hilarious,” and “extra outlandish,” our judges not only share their thoughts, but give you some inside scoop on what their kiddos thought, too! Go on …