Our featured blog review for this Monday is Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon, who is well known for her Dragonbreath series of graphic novels. This review from last spring comes from Stephanie Whelan, a New York Public Librarian who blogs at Views from the Tesseract. Stephanie, one of our Round 1 judges this year, has …
REVIEW: Guts and Glory: The Vikings
One of the coolest things about Roberta Gibson’s blog Wrapped in Foil is that she’s got a list of children’s books by state, from Alabama to Wyoming, along with brief descriptions of each book. Our featured review today–Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction finalist Guts & Glory: The Vikings by Ben Thompson—may not exactly fit on that list, but it did make the …
REVIEW: Dory and the Real True Friend
Today’s featured review of Early Chapter Books finalist Dory and the Real True Friend by Abby Hanlon–the sequel to 2014 Cybils finalist Dory Fantasmagory–comes from Round 2 judge Freya Hooper. Freya, a mom of 3 kids, blogs at One Great Book, where she reviews books for children and teens (and helpfully sorts them by grade level). About Dory and the …
REVIEW: Hilda Bewildered
Cool fact about Round 1 Book Apps judge Jill Goodman: as a faculty member at University of Central Florida Department of Education, she serves on the dissertation committees of students doing their theses on apps in early childhood education. She also reviews book apps at Participate Learning, which is where she reviewed Book Apps finalist Hilda Bewildered: “There are few …
Review: Death Sworn
Young Adult Speculative Fiction Judge Cecelia, who blogs at Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia, is a voracious reader of all types of books, from adult down through middle grade. Back in April of last year she reviewed her category finalist Death Sworn, by Leah Cypess, writing: I own Leah Cypess’ two previous novels, but I never made a concerted effort to …
Review: Pointe
Today’s review of Young Adult Fiction finalist Pointe, by Brandy Colbert comes from round one panelist Brandy, who blogs at Whimscially Yours. She gushed about Pointe, writing: This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I know. But, it’s the truth. You know how some books just speak to you? How from the moment you open them you know …
Review: Popular: Vintage Wisdom for the Modern Geek
Today’s review is by our YA Non-Fiction chair, Stephanie, who regularly blogs at Love. Life. Read. She reviewed YA Non-Fiction finalist Popular: Vintage Wisdom for the Modern Geek, by Maya Van Wagenen, writing: This memoir is often times hilarious, filled with trials and triumphs as Maya applies 1950’s advice to her modern life in the twenty first century. Highly readable and enjoyable, this …
Review: Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me
Today we’re featuring Fiction Picture Book finalist Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me, by Daniel Beaty. Our review comes from panelist Carrie who blogs at Carrie On… Together!. Of the book, she wrote: The emotional resonance is greatly present in both art and text. It provides an eye opening view into the compassion and support of the characters and connects straight …
Review: Shadow Hero
Today’s review of Graphic Novelist finalist Shadow Hero, by Gene Luen Yang comes from our former blog editor, and current go-to-person (when we need an extra helping hand), Sarah Stevenson. She blogs with friend and fellow author Tanita Davis at Finding Wonderland, where last summer they discussed this graphic novel. They wrote: Of course, readers all want to look for …
Review: Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood
Today’s review comes again from one of our prolific Middle Grade Fiction panelists and bloggers, Brenda, who blogs at Log Cabin Library. Of Middle Grade Fiction finalist Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, by Varsha Bajaj. She writes: Through Abby the reader is able to experience traveling to a new country and a new culture. I had the pleasure of living in …