Introducing Kerry Millar, Middle Grade Fiction Organizer

Today we meet Kerry Millar, category organizer for Middle Grade Fiction:

Hello fellow Cybilers: nominators, panelists and judges! I've been teaching Grade 5 for three years, so I’ve got some solid first-hand know-how about what's going on out there in Middle-Grade-land--what's cool, what's old, what has true kid appeal and what doesn't.

Before teaching, I was part pastry chef, part children's bookseller (a.k.a. the dreamiest job-combo known to man), and went to sleep every night full of French pastries and stories. Now I spend my days with many ten-year olds, trying to find every conceivable excuse to pull out a book and read to them.

Over a year ago, inspired by the many quirky, clever and generally delightful blogs in the kidlitosphere, I launched Shelf Elf, where I've been blogging ever since about everything kidlit related. I’m also a contributing blogger over at Guys Lit Wire, the new group blog that recommends great books to teen male readers, and a regular participant in features such as Poetry Friday and Nonfiction Monday.

Last year I served as a Cybils panelist for the Middle Grade Fiction category, and I'm so happy to be back again, this time as a MGF judge and category organizer. When I’m not teaching / blogging / reading, I can be found curled up with a Siamese cat and slice of cake.

Comments

[David Ben]

Hi Kerry,

I was thrilled to learn that my novel, Ring Dragonz, has been nominated for a Cybils Award in the Middle Grade Fiction category, but I'm not really sure of the process???

Would you like me two send a copy or two of the book to your panel for review???

Thanks,

David Ben (aka Mister Rengerz)

[Shelf Elf]

Hi David,

I actually moved your book to the Fantasy category, because it seemed to fit best there. Publishers will be contacted to supply review copies for the panelists. Congratulations on the nomination!

Kerry