Monday, January 01, 2007

The Cybils Shortlist

A group of dedicated bloggers have been hard at work on The Cybils, a loose acronym for Children's and YA Bloggers' Literary Awards. Since the close of nominations on November 20 they have winnowed down a very large list of books in eight categories to a series of top fives. To learn how the Cybils started, read the press release. Then check out the annotated list of finalists. Here is the list of finalists in each of the eight categories, with the items I have read in bold.

Fantasy and Science Fiction
  • Ptolemy’s Gate written by Jonathan Stroud
    Okay, I LOVE the books in the Bartimaeus triology. This is a terrific end to the series.
  • Silver City by Cliff McNish
  • Beka Cooper: Terrier written by Tamora Pierce
    Beka Cooper is a terrific heroine.
  • The Last Dragon written by Silvana de Mari
  • Pucker written by Melanie Gideon

    Graphic Novels
    Ages 12 and under

  • Amelia Rules, vol. 3: Superheroes by Jimmy Gownley
  • Babymouse: Beach Babe by Jennifer Holm and Matt Holm
  • The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea by Ann Martin, Rina Telgemeier
  • Kat and Mouse by Alex De Campi; pictures by Federica Manfredi
  • To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Siegel and Mark Siegl

    Ages 13 and up
  • American Born Chinese by Gene Yang
  • Castle Waiting by Linda Medley
  • Dramacon Vol. 2 by Svetlana Chmakova
  • Flight Vol. 3 by Kazu Kibuishi & others
  • La Perdida by Jessica Abel

    Okay, so even though I talk with my students at length about the benefits of graphic novels as a part of the curriculum, particularly for reluctant readers, these just aren't books I pick up to read. Note to self - investigate graphic novels this year.

    Middle Grade Fiction
  • A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz
  • Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
  • Heat by Mike Lupica
  • Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller
  • Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

    Non-fiction (Middle Grade and YA)
  • Escape! by Sid Fleischman
  • Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman
    You can hand me a book by Russell Freedman any day!
  • Immersed in Verse by Alan Wolf
  • Isaac Newton written by Kathleen Krull; illustrated by Boris Kulikov
  • Team Moon by Catherine Thimmesh

    Young Adult Fiction
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
    I just finished this and found it hard to put down.
  • A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt
  • Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
  • Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
  • The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

    Fiction Picture Books
  • Emily’s Balloon - Written and illustrated by Komako Sakai
  • Learning to Fly - Written and illustrated by Sebastian Meschenmoser
  • Scaredy Squirrel - Melanie Watt
  • Waiting for Gregory - Written by Kimberly Willis Holt; illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
  • Wolves - Written and illustrated by Emily Gravett

    Non-fiction Picture Book
  • 3-D ABC: A Sculptural Alphabet - written and illustrated by Bob Raczka
  • Aliens Are Coming!: The True Account Of The 1938 War Of The Worlds Radio Broadcast - written and illustrated by Meghan McCarthy
    Fabulous illustrations and a great retelling of this event.
  • An Egg Is Quiet - written by Dianna Aston; illustrated by Sylvia Long
  • An Island Grows - written by Lola M. Schaefer; illustrated by Cathie Felstead
    A terrific book for earth science!
  • Little Lost Bat - written by Sandra Markle; illustrated by Alan Marks

    Poetry
  • Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow - written by Joyce Sidman; illustrated by Beth Krommes
  • Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich - written and illustrated by Adam Rex
  • Handsprings - written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
    I haven't read this, but as somone who's read Zoo's Who and Insectlopedia, I'll be sure to check this one out.
  • Jazz written by Walter Dean Myers; illustrated by Christopher Myers
    A wonderful piece by father and son that celebrates this American artform.
  • Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art
    written by Diane Siebert; illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

    Overall, 484 books were nominated to produce this list of 45 finalists. I have only begun to skim the surface of this shortlist, so I'd better get cracking. I will be guiding an independent study this semester with a student who wants to become a school librarian. Any guesses as to what she'll be reading?!

    Thanks to all the Cybils panelists for this fab selection of books.
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