One of the most innovative aspects of the Cybils--something that differentiates it from other children's and YA book awards--is the fact that it's a grassroots effort to find the best in kids' books. Our nominations are drawn from the internet public, and our nominating and judging panelists comprise a broad cross-section of bloggers with a common interest in recognizing quality literature for children and young adults.
We want to give you the opportunity to get to know our blogging panelists just a bit better--and so we've asked them a few questions about what they look for in a great children's book. Today, courtesy of Middle Grade Fiction category organizer Kerry Millar of Shelf Elf, we learn a little more about the nominating panelists for MG Fiction:
What was your favorite children's/YA book this year, in any genre, and why?
Sarah Mulhern (The Reading Zone): I hate difficult questions like this! It's like asking me to choose my favorite pet! But if I absolutely must, then it's a tie--The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer for both myself and my students, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray for me.
Melissa Fox (Book Nut): Oh...so hard to choose. Suite Scarlett, because it's a great combination of romance and adventure and has great characters and it hit me just right at the right time. Or The Adoration of Jenna Fox, for being thought-provoking and engrossing.
Alysa Stewart (Everead): Rapunzel's Revenge! A fabulous graphic novel that anyone who can read it (8+?) will love.
Matt Wigdahl (The Book Club Shelf): Easy: We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson--fascinating information, breathtaking illustrations.
Mary R. Voors (ACPL Mock Newbery): Can I have two? My two favorites this year--so far--are The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry because it made me laugh out loud more than any book I've read in years. I also really loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because it was a `can't put it down' captivating fantasy with strong and believable characters and an intriguing premise.
If you could be a character in any MG fiction title, who would you choose to be, and why?
Kim Baccellia: I love upbeat, go-getter characters and Anna Smudge is one of my favorites! She's a combination of Dr. Phil and Nancy Drew as she solves a mystery.
Sherry Early (Semicolon): I'd like to visit Middle Earth. Is Tolkien middle grade fiction? Maybe I could be a minor character and see what hobbits and dwarves and elves really look and act like.
Sarah Mulhern (The Reading Zone): I am a huge science nerd, so I have always harbored a secret wish to spend a day as a character in The Green Glass Sea. To be in Los Alamos, surrounded by people like Richard Feynman and Albert Einstein, would be amazing. But only for a day. It is Los Alamos, after all!
Matt Wigdahl (The Book Club Shelf): I would choose to be the deceptively clever and exceedingly wise Nicholas Allen, inventor of the original Frindle.
Thanks to the MG Fiction panelists for their thoughtful answers!
--Sarah Stevenson, Deputy Editor
Hi Middle Grade Panelists!
I'm looking forward to seeing your final list...
Posted by: Charlotte | October 15, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Oh, this was fun to read. :)
Posted by: Miss Erin | October 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM