CYBILS: Kid Appeal & Literary Merit. The Perfect Award.

I've written many a post about the fabulous CYBILS award over the years. Those who know me in person have heard me drone on about how it is the best children's literature award out there because it removes the politics involved in awards from various organizations. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those awards too, but I think they usually lean way to the 'adult' side of the children's literature (typically) equation without a lot of consideration for kid appeal. The CYBILS are a complete LABOR OF LOVE with all volunteers, reading frantically, discussing into the wee hours of the night, trying to find that perfect balance of both literary merit and kid appeal. Having done it four times, I can attest that it is no easy task! So...

I am EXCITED to return as a CYBILS Round 1 Judge!

In 2010, I was a round 1 judge for Middle Grade Fiction.
In 2011, I was a round 1 judge for Middle Grade Fiction again.
In 2012, I was a round 1 judge for Middle Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction.
In 2013 I was a round 1 judge for Young Adult Nonfiction.
Then, I had to lay low as lots of 'life stuff' got in the way. This poor little blog nearly went stone cold, but that's a story for another day!
This year, 2018, I will be judging Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction!!!!!!!

I am so excited to be back with my fellow KidLit Bloggers:

Sherry Early writing at Semicolon and tweeting @Semicolonblog
Jenni Frencham writing at from the Biblio Files and tweeting @Jennifrencham
Kristen Harvey writing at The Book Monsters and tweeting @TheBookMonsters
Katy Kramp writing at A Library Mama and tweeting @Alibrarymama
Beth Mitcham writing at Library Chicken and tweeting @Mitchambeth
Brenda Tjaden writing at Log Cabin Library and tweeting @logcabinlibrary
Charlotte

Once we Round 1 Judges narrow the massive MG Speculative Fiction list down, the Round 2 Judges will ~~argue over~~ pick the winner! Round 2 Judges are:

Mark Buxton writing at Say What?
Jenna Grose writing at Falling Letters and tweeting @fallingletters
Rosemary Kiladitis writing at Mom Read It and tweeting @roesolo
Stacy Mozer writing at It's All About the Journey
Jennifer Naughton writing at Geek Reads Kids and tweeting @Jennie_Naughton

Nominations open October 1:

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT NOMINATING YOUR FAVORITE BOOK THIS YEAR

You can learn more about the CYBILS Awards: HERE

or simply search the word CYBILS in the reading rumpus search bar up there on the right top of this blog and you'll see why I love, love, love me some CYBILS :-)

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