Reflections on Turning 18

Thank you.  We wouldn’t be the Children’s and Young Adult Book Lovers’ Awards without you. You are what brings us to this, our eighteenth year. The CYBILS began in 2005 with an idea held in common by a small group of bloggers: Why couldn’t children’s book awards be more inclusive, more broadly representative, and thus more meaningful? Why couldn’t readers …

#CybilsAwards Backlist Book List: #BatterUp

baseball books kids teens

In a little less than a week, baseball fans will be celebrating the 91st Midsummer Classic, also known as Major League Baseball’s 2021  All-Star Game. Last year, because of the pandemic, this annual event didn’t happen. But this year, well … we’re ready! To help get ready for the big game, let’s have some fun with a little trivia. ⚾ …

Cybils Inclusivity Initiative: Goals & Guidelines

Diversity is being invited to the party.  Inclusion is being asked to dance.  –Verna Myers, ILA2017   Although diversity is not one of the two key criteria (reader appeal and literary merit) we use in our judging, it can contribute to both, and is something that is valued by the Cybils Board of Directors. During the last awards season, we …