2021 Cybils are Here: A Call for Judges

We’re limping towards normal around here, slowly but surely. Publishing seems to be back on track, and there have been a good number of excellent children’s and young adult books out this year. So, what better way to get past division and stress and anxiety about the state of the world than to volunteer for the Cybils? (I can’t think of a better way. Seriously.)  

So, if you talk about kidlit anywhere on the internet — whether it is on a traditional blog, YouTube, Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok — we want your help! 

A word of advice: before you fill out the application, be sure to check out our FAQs about judging for us. There is this onethis one, and this onePLEASE do this beforehand, so you know what to expect! 

After you’ve done that if you still want to sign up (and we hope you do!), here’s the link to the application form. Be sure to fill out the category choices, and make sure they are ones that you will be willing to spend a lot of time reading (because you will be spending a lot of time with these books). The deadline to submit your application is September 10th at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Our caveat: choosing judges isn’t a popularity contest. We try very hard to fit people to the best categories. If we don’t pick you, it’s not because we don’t like you. We hope you’ll still nominate your favorite books, drop by to read reviews, and follow the progress of the award.