Cybils

The 2013 Finalists

Happy Cybils New Year! Really, when all the confetti is swept up, the champagne bottles put in recycling, and your hangover nursed back to a semblance of sobriety, what else is there? Us, that's what!

We're back again with another list of books that kept our panelists riveted through the holiday season. We sifted through more than 1,300 books and apps this year. Phew! We have this down to a science by now, but even so, there have been a few changes.

Book Apps continue to grow in both number and sophistication, with many apps reaching out to middle- and high-schoolers, as well as the little kiddos. We changed the name of Science Fiction and Fantasy to Speculative Fiction, reflecting the trend in the industry itself to include genre-bending tropes. Dystopias in particular are still running strong, perhaps owing to the continued success of Hunger Games, a Cybils winner long before the rest of the world got Katniss fever.

The Young Adult Fiction folks report a rather unusual spate of sex, violence, and therapists this year. I tend to think it's related to Spec Fic's dystopias -- our economy limps along, and the teens reading these books know that college costs are soaring even as admissions remain ruthlessly competitive. What does their future hold? The odds are not ever in their favor, and perhaps these dystopias and dysfunctions are the postmodern answer to escapism. Grandma had her Shirley Temple movies and the Good Ship Lollipop to steer her through the Great Depression. Kids today have wicked high tech or a sympathetic shrink.

Or, as early 20th Century fantasist and philosopher G.K. Chesterton put it, "Fairy tales are more than true — not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten."

Here's to another year of helping kids face their dragons.

--Anne Levy, Cybils Editor-in-Chief

The 2013 Cybils Finalists

Click on each link to take you to the full listing of finalists and the panelists' blurbs.

Elementary & Middle Grade

Book Apps

Fiction Picture Books

Nonfiction

Easy Readers

Early Chapter Books

Poetry

Graphic Novels

Speculative Fiction

Middle Grade Fiction

Young Adult

Graphic Novels

Nonfiction

Speculative Fiction

YA Fiction

 

 

The 2012 Cybils Finalists

Dear Book Nerds:

You already know why you're here. It's not for the fab party, the football scores or to watch the ball drop. No, you won't find Cybilians indulging in those overly exhuberant displays of normalcy. Hanging out at the Cybils site is by far the best New Year's tradition, and here are just a few reasons why:

• You do not have to dress up. In fact, you do not have to dress at all;
• We will not try to corner you in an awkward conversation;
• We will not scream like banshees at overgrown boys in plastic armor tossing an animal hide at each other;
• There are no commercial interruptions, ever;
• You do not have to brave the cold, the crowds or the litter of Times Square;
• You will not throw up afterwards.

See? There is no need to be anywhere else today. Welcome to this year's Cybils short lists, brought to you by the hardest-working kidlit and YA book bloggers in existence.

The 2011 Cybils Finalists

This was the year the Kindle caught Fire, the Nook fought for its niche, Borders went belly up and ebooks overtook their dead tree cousins for good. But for us here at Cybils, it was another year of reading, blogging and more reading. Whether on paper or in pixels, we found plenty of stories worth sharing with the world.

By now, you're probably inundated with "best books of the year" list. Well, here's ours. Kid friendly, blogger approved. Out of 1,289 nominated books, the ones in the links below rose to the top after fierce discussions and numerous rounds of vote-taking and yet more debate.

Enjoy!

--Anne Levy, Cybils admin.

Click on the links for the 2011 Finalists:

Book Apps

Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade)

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult)

Fiction Picture Books

Graphic Novels

Middle Grade Fiction

Nonfiction for Middle Grade & Young Adult

Nonfiction Picture Books

Poetry

Young Adult Fiction

2010 Finalists

Can you believe this is our fifth list of finalists? Yes, we're five years old. This year, we were all a tad rushed as we crossed the finish line. If you spot problems on any of the pages, please list them in comments below.

Meantime, a hearty thanks and Happy New Year to all our panelists, who once again gave up a good chunk of December to deliberations.

--Anne Levy, Cybils Admin.

Click on the links below to take you to the page for each short list. 

Easy Readers & Early Chapter Books

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade)

Fantasy & Science Fiction (Young Adult)

Fiction Picture Books

Graphic Novels (Middle Grade)

Graphic Novels (Young Adult)

Middle Grade Novels

Nonfiction Books (Middle Grade & Young Adult)

Nonfiction Picture Books

Poetry

Young Adult Novels

 

2009 Finalists A terrific, heavenly, so good, not bad list

--A note from Anne Levy, Cybils Administrator:

I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad problem assembling this year's Cybils finalists.  Most of our first-round judges decided to sign their summaries for the short-listed titles.  That meant inserting links to their blogs.  And that meant meandering through their recent posts, catching up with old friends, making some new discoveries...and generally running out the clock on 2009. 

Seriously, I could raise procrastinating to an art form.

I wanted to leave comments thanking each of you for your hard work, but then this list would've been posted sometime in March.  So let me point out how this year's panelists outdid even the amazing job done by last year's bunch.

From our database:

• Total eligible books across all categories: 939
• Books read by at least 1 panelist: 931 which is 99.1% of the books
• Books read by at least 2 panelists: 894 which is 95.2% of the books
• Unread books: 8 which is 0.9% of the books

Eight books.  That's it.  We only failed to read eight books--less than one percent of the nominated titles.  One word: Wow.

Like last year, I'm posting links to each page of finalists.  If you have trouble seeing a page, leave me a comment below.

Finalists listed after the jump, of course ...

The 2008 Cybils Finalists

Ta-da ... The Big Reveal.  Can I remind everyone that our panelists are the world's most fabulous book bloggers?  They had to hunt down an extraordinary number of titles on their own this year.  Blame the economy, as review copies were often hard to come by. 

A round of applause, please, as our hard-working panelists pass the baton to our judges.

Click on each genre for its short list:

Easy Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Non-Fiction MG/YA
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

Happy New Year, book lovers!
--Anne Levy, Editor

UPDATE: All lists are now posted. Hooray!

2007 Young Adult Fiction Finalists

Finding the best seven titles out of a list of 123 is... daunting, to say the least. The bloggers on this year's YA nominating panel embraced the challenge, and below you'll find the books that survived discussion and passionate debate through countless emails and one very long instant-message group chat. We're proud of our shortlist, and hope you love it as much as we do.
--Jackie Parker, YA Fiction Organizer

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Little, Brown
Meet Junior, a skinny, teenage Spokane Indian with hydrocephalus, ugly glasses and too many teeth. He knows that to make his dreams come true, he has to go where no one in his tribe has gone before--a white high school outside the reservation. Sherman Alexie's semi-autobiographical novel comes at you with its chin up and fists flying. You're guaranteed to fall in love with this scruffy underdog who fights off poverty and despair with goofy, self-deprecating humor and a heart the size of Montana.
--Eisha, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
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Billie Standish Was Here
by Nancy Crocker
Simon & Schuster
Summer 1968. Billie Standish is a young girl with a lot of heart and soul whose life is about to change forever when the rains come pouring down. Newly befriended by a neighbor, Miss Lydia, neither suspect how close danger lurks to young Billie--and it's not danger from the rising storm waters threatening the town's levee. Billie Standish is a story of friendship, courage, and devotion that will charm readers young and old as they fall in love with Billie's world.
--Becky, Becky's Book Reviews
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Boy Toy
by Barry Lyga
Houghton Mifflin
Eighteen-year-old Josh Mendel can calculate batting averages and earned run averages in an instant, but coming to terms with his past has been impossible. Until, perhaps, now. Bypassing the tawdry and sensational, Barry Lyga takes a ripped-from-the-headlines plot (Teacher-Student Sex Scandal!) and explores the devastation it leaves behind. Told with intelligence and sensitivity, Boy Toy is a powerful story that may occasionally disturb, but ultimately captivate readers.
--Trisha, The YA YA YAs
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The Off Season
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Houghton Mifflin
Farm girl and football player D.J. Schwenk's refreshing voice and self-deprecating humor return in this continuation of her hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking coming-of-age story. Catherine Gilbert Murdock's characters are authentic and fully realized, and the story perfectly captures the rhythms and conventions of life in a small, rural town. D.J.'s straightforward and endearing personality shines as she faces up to everyday adversity and struggles to find her voice.
--Anne, LibrariAnne
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Red Glass
by Laura Resau
Random
Sophie, an Arizona teenager full of insecurities and phobias, becomes the foster sister to an orphaned illegal immigrant boy. When the boy's family is located in southern Mexico, Sophie goes along on the trek to return him, all the while hoping he'll decide to come with her back to the U.S. As she journeys through Mexico and beyond, evocative settings and vivid characters immerse the reader in Sophie's world. Sophie finds guardian angels along the way, and discovers inner strength.
--Stacy, Reading, Writing, and Chocolate
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Tips on Having a Gay (ex)Boyfriend
by Carrie Jones
Flux
Tips is in many ways a typical high school story--loves lost and won; navigating the social minefields of a small town; figuring out who you are, measured against the way others see you. It depicts a week in the life of Belle, a high school senior who's just been dumped by her "true love"--for another guy. Belle progresses through heartbreak to jealousy to anger, to genuine concern for Dylan (her ex), whose road will be much tougher than her own. And Belle's gradual realization that she and Dylan weren't meant to be opens her to new possibilities. Belle is a sweet and optimistic narrator with quirky but believable friends and family.
--Stacy, Reading, Writing, and Chocolate
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The Wednesday Wars
by Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion
Condemned to spend every Wednesday afternoon alone with a teacher he is sure hates him, Holling despairs. When two demon rats escape into the classroom walls, and Mrs. Barker brings out Shakespeare, Wednesdays seem to grow even worse. But despair has no place in this very funny and deeply moving book about 7th grade love, the Vietnam War, heroes, true friendship, and the power of giant rats.
--Charlotte, Charlotte's Library
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2007 Nonfiction Picture Book Finalists

The Nonfiction Picture Book panelists had some fabulous books to choose from this year, and the ones that made the short list are representative of all the best things this category has to offer: informative and engaging text, brilliant illustrations, and lots of appeal for young readers.

-- Eisha Prather, Nonfiction Picture Books organizer. 

Guess What is Growing Inside this Egg
Written and illustrated by Mia Posada
Millbrook Press
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Emily of Whimsy Books says: "Guess What is Growing Inside this Egg, by Mia Posada, is an interactive treat. Children will scour through the creative illustrations guessing at the animals hiding in each egg. Following each guessing game, readers will enjoy learning a few interesting facts about the animals."

Let's Go!: the Story of Getting from There to Here
Written by Lizann Flatt; illustrated by Scot Ritchie
Maple Tree Press
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Andrea of Just One More Book!! says: "Engaging, upbeat illustrations and a stirring current of action, alliteration and ever-changing gaits sweep us through the evolution of transportation from the ice age to modern day, providing vivid glimpses of North American life and insight into the impact of transportation technology on the human experience."

Lightship
Written and illustrated by Brian Floca
Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books
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Fiona of Books and 'Rocks says: "The fog seems to waft off the page in this delightful look at the work and life aboard the lightship Ambrose -- a floating lighthouse anchored offshore. Floca's detailed watercolor illustrations and deceptively simple text sprinkled with sensory language have readers practically feeling the dampness, tasting the sea air, and tilting with the deck."

Living Color
Written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Houghton Mifflin
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Jennifer of Kiddosphere says: "Using his trademark cut-paper-collage illustrations and engaging text, Steve Jenkins introduces readers to the wild and wonderful world of color in the animal kingdom. Jenkins shares information, rather than lectures, and readers feel as if they are being included in delightful secrets. Perfect for children who enjoy 'browsable books,' but don't be surprised if an adult sneaks a read as well."

One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II
Written and illustrated by Lita Judge
Hyperion
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Andrea of Just One More Book!! says: "Eye-opening scatterings of yellowed newspaper footprints, handwritten lists and aged, intimate photographs make vivid this beautifully told true story of hardship, and the pulling together of communities torn to opposite sides of war."

Vulture View
Written by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Henry Holt & Co.
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Tricia of The Miss Rumphius Effect says: "We've all seen them, with their dark plumage, featherless heads and hooked beaks, circling, circling something in the distance. Road kill for breakfast? Don't mind if I do! Yes, I'm talking about vultures, and so is April Pulley Sayre in her informative and poetic book, gorgeously illustrated by Steve Jenkins." Read her review here.

Where in the Wild?: Camouflaged Creatures Concealed...and Revealed
Written by David Schwartz and Yael Schy; photographs by Dwight Kuhn
Tricycle Press
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Fiona of Books and 'Rocks says: "A refreshing selection of ten camouflaged animals beautifully photographed and presented as a "find-the-critter" challenge. Snappy titles and delicious poems cleverly hint at the animals' identities (form and meter match each animal!), and fold-out pages reveal the animals and cool information about them, clearly written in a kid-friendly style."

2007 Graphic Novel Finalists

The hardworking Graphic Novels panel has narrowed down the nominees to five finalists at the teen/young adult age level and five at the elementary & middle-grade level, for a shortlist that's truly dazzling as well as diverse: fantasy, manga, animals, humor--there's a little bit of everything. Oh, and robots. You gotta have robots.

--Sarah Stevenson, Graphic Novels organizer

Teen/Young Adult:

The Arrival
written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
Arthur A. Levine Books
This is the story of the strangeness that an immigrant encounters no matter where he moves: there are barriers of language, food, and finding work; there is loneliness, isolation, and longing for loved ones. But at every turn, there are those who will help, and those who have their own stories of leaving, abandonment, and exile. The most amazing thing about this intricate and subtly nuanced graphic novel is that it is silent: No words whatsoever.
--Mary Lee, A Year of Reading

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Flight Volume Four
edited by Kazu Kibuishi
Villard
From full-color manga to rollicking comic adventures to imaginative childhood tales, Flight 4 has something for everyone. Flight 3 fans will be happy to see some familiar faces, and a myriad of beautifully crafted new stories, full of depth and life. The volume is consistently high in quality throughout; each story has a well-realized visual world, strong characters, and tight and compelling storytelling. Readers new to graphic novels will find many reasons to read more in this genre.
--Elizabeth Jones

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Laika
written and illustrated by Nick Abadzis
First Second
Before men walked on the moon a little Russian dog named Laika was sent to orbit the Earth. Her story is a mix of political moves, attempts at scientific advancement and heartwarming personal connections. Nick Abadzis looks at each of those angles in his version of Laika's story and the result is a powerful and touchingly told account of a moment in history.
--Katie, Pixie Palace

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The Plain Janes
written by Cecil Castellucci; illustrated by Jim Rugg
Minx
Jane has just moved to the suburbs, and is caught up in the boredom of her new school.  Things start to look up when she meets three other girls named Jane. Eventually they decide to form an art-appreciation club called the Plain Janes. Cecil Castellucci's graphic novel debut has a distinctive art style and great characterization--it's a story about exploration of self-expression that is sure to appeal to teenage girls.
--Alyssa, The Shady Glade

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The Professor's Daughter
written by Joann Sfar; illustrated by Emmanuel Guibert
First Second
The Professor's Daughter is bizarre, well told and completely wonderful. The sepia-toned illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, depicting Victorian London in a way that makes the pages look like an old book from that era. Lillian is charming, elegant and such a lady, while Imhotep IV is elegant, gentlemanly and a bit dysfunctional. His relationship with his father, for instance, is like any normal father and son's misunderstanding and angst--with the added quirk of being dead mummies wandering around London.
--Gina, AmoXcalli

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Elementary/Middle Grade:

Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel
written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin; illustrated by Giovanni Rigano and Paolo Lamanna
Hyperion
Artemis Fowl, Butler, and all of the characters from the underground fairy world of the 2001 hit novel come to life in this graphic novel adaptation of the story. Readers new to the series will be drawn into Fowl's schemes, while those who have loved the Artemis Fowl books will be able to revisit them in this new format.
--Mary Lee, A Year of Reading

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Babymouse #6: Camp Babymouse
written and illustrated by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Random House Books for Young Readers
Babymouse is back and off to summer camp in Camp Babymouse. Her bunkmates are initially less than impressed with Babymouse's attempts to be the perfect camper and earn them points, but with the right mix of skill, humor and luck Babymouse might just win them over! This addition to the Babymouse series is smart, funny and adorable.
--Katie, Pixie Palace

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The Courageous Princess
written and illustrated by Rod Espinosa
Dark Horse
Princess Mabelrose of tiny New Tinsley is happy with her life--until she attends a ball in a neighboring kingdom and learns just how small and unhip her own kingdom is. When a dragon kidnaps Mabelrose and holds her for ransom in his faraway castle, the princess takes matters into her own hands and escapes from his hopelessly inescapable domain--and that is where the adventure really begins. A vividly realized world, charming characters and an unpredictable, interesting plot make this a great read for all ages.
--Elizabeth Jones

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Robot Dreams
written and illustrated by Sara Varon
First Second
Robot Dreams tells a wordless but eloquent tale of friendship, mistakes made, abandonment and reflection. It's the story of a dog who builds a robot in order to have a friend. On a happy beach trip, the robot rusts and gets stuck. The dog leaves but thinks often of the friend he left behind while the robot dreams and struggles with his immobility. Seasons change in marvelous, muted but vibrant colors and after many adventures, real and imagined, both robot and dog find their own path.
--Gina, AmoXcalli

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Yotsuba&! Volume 4
written and illustrated by Kiyohiko Azuma
ADV Manga
Yotsuba is a green-haired girl with a taste for getting herself into humorous situations. This volume follows her zany adventures as she gives advice on boys to a neighbor, goes fishing, and takes on the issue of global warming. Rather than following an overall plot, each chapter takes a new story and allows us to see the world through Yotsuba's innocent eyes. A great graphic novel that's humorous and heartwarming at the same time.
--Alyssa, The Shady Glade

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2007 MG/YA Nonfiction Finalists

The middle grade/young adult nonfiction committee has selected, from the 45 nominated books, a collection of seven high-quality, kid-friendly titles. Looking to read more nonfiction in 2008? Any or all of these titles will get you off to an excellent start. Of course, there are other wonderful titles on the nominations list, too, but the committee felt that these seven represented the very best of 2007's crop.

-- Jen Robinson, MG/YA Nonfiction organizer

Marie Curie: Giants of Science #4
written by Kathleen Krull
Viking Juvenile
In a world dictated by "No Women Allowed," Marie Curie, a two-time Nobel Prize winner, became who she was because of her love of learning, her refusal to accept the facts, her bravery and her willingness to sacrifice everything to follow her dream. This book reveals Marie Curie's private life, her brilliance and her obsession with radium. Recommended for children ages 11 and up, this book is written in a compelling and easy-to-understand manner. 
-- Vivian, HipWriterMama
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The Periodic Table: Elements With Style!
written by Adrian Dingle
illustrated by Simon Basher
Kingfisher
Artist Simon Basher and chemistry teacher Adrian Dingle have created a vivid rogues' gallery of elements guaranteed to bring the periodic table to life and appeal to kids of all ages. A remarkably engaging science book, not to mention a sensible approach to making the subject--indeed, the individual elements--memorable for everyone from fourth or fifth graders to college seniors.
-- Becky, Farm School
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Smart-Opedia
written by Eve Drobot
Maple Tree Press
About as close to the world in 200 charmingly illustrated pages as you're going to get, with entries on everything from animals and art, history and human rights, to space and cyberspace, most with a double-page spread. Entertainingly and clearly presented, this is a one-volume reference book that eight- to twelve-year olds (and probably their younger and older siblings, too) will be reaching for even when no homework assignment is in sight.
-- Becky, Farm School
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Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
written by Ibtisam Barakat
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Ibtisam Barakat's powerful memoir about her childhood experiences during and immediately after the Six-Day War of 1967. Palestinian residents of Israel's West Bank, Barakat and her family evacuated to Jordan, later to return to a different life entirely. What is it like to grow up in a war zone? What does it mean to be a refugee? How can you leave the only home you've ever known? At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, Tasting the Sky answers these questions in a lyrical, compelling narrative. Highly recommended for readers aged thirteen and older.
-- Susan Thomsen, Chicken Spaghetti
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Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam and the Science of Ocean Motion
written by Loree Griffin Burns
Houghton Mifflin
"Cleaning up the ocean would be like mowing the state of Texas. Twice." ... This well-reviewed resource presents science as a mystery to be solved by creative thinking. Not to mention it promotes environmental awareness--it would be perfect to share with students before a class trip to a beach.
-- Mindy, Propernoun.net
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The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
written by Peter Sis
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Peter Sís again pushes the boundaries of the picture book format, using everything from his own illustrations, family photographs and diaries, and graphic novel elements to create his highly personal memoir of growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia and surviving the Prague Spring. This book can be enjoyed and appreciated by younger readers, but will especially appeal to young adult readers, who will understand the personal emotions, public history, and outstanding art.
-- Becky, Farm School
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Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas
written by Russell Freedman
Clarion
Who indeed--it certainly wasn't Columbus. That idea is so old school. In his usual lively way, Russell Freedman shakes the dust out of history books with this eye-opening look at early exploration of the Americas. Cybils panelists enjoyed the author's fresh take on a seemingly familiar subject.
-- Susan Thomsen, Chicken Spaghetti
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