Over the last five months we posted review exerpts for more than 450 books nominated or submitted for the 2023 CYBILS Awards. All told, we shared reviews from our judges for more than one-third of the books considered for our 2023 awards. Not an all-time high, but pretty durned good. Look for more #CYBILS2023 titles in future booklists. In the meantime, check out our latest and ever-growing list: 2024 Nomination Eligible Books As of the writing of this post, there are nearly 400 titles on our 2024 Eligible To Be Nominated shelf on Goodreads. Every category - including your favorite - ha ..read more

LONG WAY DOWN By Jason Reynolds Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books Poetry young adult, family, ghost stories, realistic fiction CW: violence Winner – Poetry 2018 CYBILS Awards The Book Long Way Down is a tour de force work of poetry. The entire novel in verse takes place on an elevator ride as a young man whose brother has been shot and killed descends to avenge his murder. Along the way, he is visited by the ghosts of those he has lost, the elevator filling with smoke as each enters to question, chide, taunt, and harangue him. This masterful narrative structure and the claustrophobic setting in th ..read more

Here we are, friends! It seems only appropriate that Early Chapter Books be the “final chapter” in our posts sharing judges reviews of 2023 CYBILS Awards finalists and winners. There are a few familiar series and new faces, too. These stories also welcome young readers into stories that may be comfortable and fun, and others that will expose them to unfamiliar experiences, too. So let’s get to it! 2023 WINNER Henry, Like Always: Book 1Bailey, Jenn, illustrated by Song, Mika Chronicle Books Nominated by: Sondra Eklund Sandy @ Goodreads – I read the original A FRIEND FOR HENRY, a picture book ..read more

Just so you know, we stopped counting the “readers will relate to” references in the reviews at around 15 … and they kept going. Seriously, though, is there anything better than a book where a reader can see themselves and grow with a bookish alter ego? Diverse casts, family, friendship, adventure, gaming, and nonfiction. Angst and courage, fears and acceptance. All wrapped in “sweet” stories. The 2023 CYBILS Awards Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel finalists have it all. See for yourself. 2023 WINNER A First Time for EverythingSantat, Dan First Second Books Nominated by: Maria Marshall ..read more

Colorful Bright Interactive Cute Destined to be a favorite … everything you want in a board book, yes?  There’s no shortage of animals, learning, or engaging questions for young readers, either. Whether you have a toddler scurrying onto your lap for storytime or you want the perfect gift for a baby shower or toddler birthday, you won’t go wrong with any of the 2023 CYBILS Awards Board Book Finalists. 2023 WINNER Whose Prints?Allen, Kari, illustrated by Smith, Kim Little Simon Nominated by: Christopher Helton Pamela @ What We’re Reading Now: If you buy one board book this year, make it ..read more

If you have ever put a book down because your emotions got the best of you, then this is the shortlist for you. The 2023 High School Nonfiction finalists are just that powerful. In some cases, the events in these books happened many decades ago – long before this generation of young adults and even their parents were born. And yet. Not only do these books offer compelling, inspiring stories for their time, they inform readers in ways that connect to today’s young reader. Activists, outsiders, refugees, friends … survivors. 2023 WINNER Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism i ..read more

Roses are red. Violets are blue. If you don’t like college basketball. This list is for you. Happy #PoetryFriday to you. For some of us, basketball is a kind of poetry in motion. For others, well, it just isn’t. Thankfully, this roundup of poetry books can help. Moving, funny, imaginative, jarring … all found in the pages of these poetry collections. And a book that almost knocks Shel Silverstein off his golden pedestal? Uh huh. 2023 WINNER Animals in PantsSuzy Levinson, illustrated by Kevin Howdeshell and Kristen Howdeshell Harry N Abrams Nominated by: Becky L. Linda @ Goodre ..read more

It’s Middle-Grade Monday, y’all! 2023 WINNER Simon Sort of SaysBow, Erin Disney Hyperion–Rick Riordan presents Nominated by: Susan (Bloggin’ ’bout Books) Sondy @ Sonderbooks – [This has] got so many wonderful ingredients: Quirky characters who seem more realistic because of those quirks, a new kid in school at a very distinctive place, loving parents but kid-centric adventures, a main character who’s exceedingly likable, plenty of humor, and a serious theme dealt with realistically and sensitively. Hmmm. Listing the ingredients doesn’t convey how wonderful this book is. This is a truly wonde ..read more

What “binds” all of these books together? Besides being for young adults? and speculative fiction? with amazing cover art? Well, we could tell you, but you are such a savvy, discerning reader, we know you’ll find the answer.  This much we’ll share: the word “original” was used by multiple judges across multiple books; and two titles made a fantasy lover out of a reader who doesn’t normally like SFF books. 2023 WINNER Threads That BindHatzopoulou, Kika Razorbill Nominated by: MelissaB Gina @ Goodreads – The mystery was thrilling, like the stuff they do to try to investigate is ..read more

ICYMI – This year’s slate of Young Adult Fiction finalists includes two debut authors. In fact, the award-winning book is the debut novel of Jas Hammonds. The stories are contemporary, compelling, heart-tugging, and heart-wrenching. Things you’d expect in coming-of-age stories. There’s drama, intense storytelling, mystery, family, and … well, let’s turn it over to our judges to tell you more. Just don’t skim. You might miss the references to recommendations for reluctant readers. 2023 WINNER We Deserve MonumentsHammonds, Jas Roaring Brook Press Nominated by: Kristen Gina @ Goodreads – Coming ..read more