Today’s review comes from Mindy, panel organizer for the Non-fiction (MG/YA) Cybil. Mindy is a librarian who writes excellent book reviews at propernoun.net. She keeps up with the best of the best each year and her blog is a wonderful resource when looking for new titles for children of all ages. Mindy reviews a Non-fiction title for the poetry-addled teen …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Sold
Author Carolyn Lehman (Strong at the Heart) reviews books and discusses writing and speaking to and about survivors of abuse at her blog, Strong at the Heart. The Cybils are thrilled she’s agreed to serve as a judge for the Non-fiction (MG/YA) category. This week Carolyn reviewed Patricia McCormick’s Sold, a novel nominated for the Young Adult fiction Cybil. Here …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Tour America
It’s a rare reviewer who can capture a book’s soul, not just sum up its plot, book-report style. A review must bring the work to life — its themes, its language, even what’s written between the lines — but it must be done in the reviewer’s unique voice. For an example of this difficult art at its loveliest, we’re offering …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Life As We Knew It
Science Fiction and Fantasy takes us places we cannot go by plane, train or even space shuttle. The Cybils organizers expected it to be a popular category, and fans didn’t disappoint, nominating 87 titles! Today’s pick from that list gives us an alternate view of our own era after an apocalyptic calamity. The reviewer, Kim Baccellia, adds personal details to …
Review of the Day
An Abundance of Katherines
Today’s review of the day is a title nominated for the Young Adult Fiction category: An Abundance of Katherines, by Printz-award winning author John Green. This review was cited by the author on his blog, where he called it "long and thoughtful (and nicely written, I think, although obviously I am biased because the review made me happy)". Who wrote …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Angelmonster
Angelmonster Today’s review of the day comes courtesy of Mindy Rhiger, creator of propernoun.net, and our own Cybils MG and YA Non-Fiction coordinator. Mindy started her blog way back in 2003 (the dark ages as far as the kidlitosphere is concerned), as a way to help her to remember more about the many books that she reads. She works for …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Freedom Walkers
Two reviews for MG/YA non-fiction today, both short and sweet. Ida Walker of Sweet Tea and Magnolias and Emily M. of EmilyReads took on Russell Freedman’s Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Here’s Ida’s review: The story is told in a manner that keeps the reader interested. Though factual, it’s not dry. The photographs enhance the text, …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Team Moon
Today’s review of the day is of a title nominated for the Non-fiction (Middle Grade and YA) category. Kimberly Pauley, of YA Books Central and a member of the Non-fiction (MG and YA) nominating committee, thinks Team Moon rocks (hah!) for a number of reasons. Here’s the why in her review: An inspiring look at the Apollo 11 Mission a …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
The Year of the Dog
Like many of our volunteers, Andi at A Wrung Sponge is a children’s librarian, and the name of her thoughtful blog is meant to suggest how she soaks up all she reads: So here I am, wringing it out. Just wanted a place to reflect … and see if anyone else is reading the same things. In this review of …
REVIEW OF THE DAY
Just in Case
Today is Young Adult Fiction day at Cybils, and we highlight TadMack, a member of our YA Nominating Committee. TadMack is "Another random over-educated Californian… MFA English & Creative Writing", with a tentative release date for her first YA novel set for next winter. TadMack blogs with a team of other writers at Finding Wonderland: The Writing YA Weblog and …