I'm just back to my computer after a few days away, and by now the Cybils shortlists are old news (five days is practically an eternity in blog time). Still, as Literacy Evangelist for the Cybils, I would be remiss if I didn't point you to the full set of shortlists at the Cybils blog.
Our dedicated nominating committee panelists worked their way through 939 selections, winnowing the lists down to 72 finalists across the nine categories (some broken further into sub-categories). The lists are eclectic and surprising, filled with high-profile titles as well as hidden gems. There have been concerns raised about the lack of diversity in the shortlists, but I think that this is more a reflection of the industry as a whole than of the selections made by the participants. In any event, the Cybils shortlists are a wonderful resource. Each category includes five to seven titles judged to be both kid-friendly and well-written.
This year, I'll be judging in the Fantasy & Science Fiction (Middle Grade) category. I was one of several last-minute additions when the volume of submissions necessitated a split into two judging panels (as explained here by organizer Sheila Ruth). I was happy to be included, and to be able to help. Here are the books that I'll be reading over the next few weeks:
11 Birthdays
by Wendy Mass
Scholastic
Nominated by: Maggi Idzikowski
Dreamdark: Silksinger (Faeries of Dreamdark)
by Laini Taylor
Putnam Juvenile
Nominated by: Melissa
Farwalker's Quest, The
by Joni Sensel
Bloomsbury USA
Nominated by: Joan Stradling
Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman
HarperCollins
Nominated by: Susan the Librarian Pirate
Prince of Fenway Park, The
by Julianna Baggott
HarperCollins
Nominated by: Doret
Serial Garden, The: The Complete Armitage Family Stories (Junior Library Guild Selection)
by Joan Aiken
Big Mouth House
Nominated by: Charlotte
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin
Little, Brown
Nominated by: EM
Winners will be announced on February 14th.
I'm glad you're on the panel, Jen. You'll do a wonderful job! Boy, were we glad to pass our shortlist on to the Round 2 judges. Phew! :)
Posted by: Angie | January 05, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Thanks for providing such a great list, Angie!!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 05, 2010 at 01:01 PM
This is a list that I am particularly excited to read the finalists from. Really a superb list.
Posted by: Janssen | January 05, 2010 at 01:58 PM
The panel did a great job, didn't they, Janssen? I'm looking forward to diving into the books - several were already on my to read list.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 05, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Oh, it's so nice to hear that people like the list as much as we did! This was my first experience on a Cybils panel, and it was all-around wonderful. Can't wait to see what you and the other judges make of it!
Posted by: Anamaria | January 05, 2010 at 02:06 PM
You all did a great job, Anamaria. Really, I have such admiration for people who make the commitment to be on the nominating panels, especially for categories like this one, that receive SO MANY nominations. Thanks for coming up with such an excellent list!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 05, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Somehow I missed that you were on the MG panel, Jen. Have fun, it looks like a great shortlist.
Posted by: Maureen | January 12, 2010 at 07:11 PM
I was a last-minute add, Maureen, when the judging panel was split into two. Happy to be able to help. I'm 5/7 of the way through the shortlist, and am impressed so far. I think you'll have your work cut out for you with the YA SFF list. Good luck!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 12, 2010 at 07:22 PM