Welcome to our second annual summer call for judges! For many of us, summer means reading for fun, because, well, we have more time to read. Experienced Cybilites often use this time to read as many books as they can in the categories they love. The summer reading period is a great way to share what you love with other …
Summer is coming … and so is #CYBILS2024
This year, Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer, it is also the unofficial start of the 2024 CYBILS Awards. In just a few days we will be launching the start of #CYBILS2024. Last year we tested a Summer Reading Period as a way to allow people to see what being a CYBILS Awards judge is like …
The 4-1-1 on the 2024 CYBILS Awards
A few weeks ago, we shared three goals that our Board set for its 2024 agenda. In this post we identified several that relate to changes in our award. With the 2024 CYBILS Awards season starting soon, we want to share more detail about several of those changes. Objective: Improve book access and reading volume issues Year in and year …
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 …
Spring 2024 Updates from the Board of Directors
The CYBILS Awards is committed to transparency in its operations and decision-making. To that end, we want to share some of the conversations taking place regarding the desire for continuous improvement of our program. The Board of Directors established its Spring Meeting as an opportunity for us to reflect on where we are and identify where we want to go …
Spring Forward with these #CYBILS2024 Nomination-eligible Books
Over the last five months we posted review exerpts for more than 450 books nominated or submitted for the 2023 CYBILS Awards. All told, we shared reviews from our judges for more than one-third of the books considered for our 2023 awards. Not an all-time high, but pretty durned good. Look for more #CYBILS2023 titles in future booklists. In the …
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 EMG Graphic Novel Finalists
Just so you know, we stopped counting the “readers will relate to” references in the reviews at around 15 … and they kept going. Seriously, though, is there anything better than a book where a reader can see themselves and grow with a bookish alter ego? Diverse casts, family, friendship, adventure, gaming, and nonfiction. Angst and courage, fears and acceptance. …
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 …