Finalists for Cybils Awards: Stay Tuned on January 1!

The tough (but thrilling) work of Round One panelists for CYBILS AWARDS has been completed. In each category the nominees have been read and examined thoroughly, lovingly, and analytically. Discussions and debates about favorites are now complete, final decisions have been made, and blurbs for each have been written and submitted. The organizer/chairperson for each category submits this content to the overall CYBILS coordinator, who will post it with fanfare for the general public on...

wait for it...

JANUARY 1

What better way could there be to celebrate the start of 2017 than to check out these highly recommended titles in categories "just-right" for every possible reader you know. While you browse and begin your shopping/library hold list, the panel of final judges in each group will dig in to do the heavy lifting-- reading and considering every aspect of these outstanding books to select JUST ONE. Why not get your hands on as many of them as you can and see if your opinion matches their final decisions? Or conduct classroom/family discussions about the finalists in various categories that suit your readers. 

After all, this particular award is presented by those of us who write blogs about books. Even very young readers can write blogs, too, and they can learn more about the process by reading examples from various panelists in their favorite categories. 

Make sure you don't miss any of the news and updates by checking out the website for CYBILS.ORG. http://www.cybils.com.  There you can also scroll down and find links to subscribe to their newsletter (for email feeds), and follow social media updates on Twitter and Facebook, if you are so inclined. 

It's a tough challenge not to spill the beans about the finalists in our categories: 

Juvenile and Elementary NonFiction.

I'm honoring the rules, though, because I wouldn't want to ruin a chance to participate as a panelist again in future years. While you're waiting, you won't go wrong by checking out the blog written by the chair of our group, Jennifer Wharton, Youth Librarian at the Jean Little Library in Wisconsin. 

CYBILS NOMINATIONS Are Officially Open to ALL!

And... we're OFF!

Nominations for consideration for CYBILS AWARDS have officially opened, but the window of opportunity is short. It's especially fun because ANYONE may nominate, and the process is extremely simple. I urge you to take a moment, though, to read through the very clear directions and note each category description, here.

Speaking from experience, it's fun to see that my own favorite choices might be nominated by the time I arrive at the site, which is when I do my happy dance. I have a deep-seated aversion to narrowing any category down to a single "favorite". (Hmm, I probably should have mentioned that when I applied to join a panel, right? But I survived the stress last year and couldn't resist trying to participate again this year.) I prepare in advance with lists of top favorites in the various categories. That way I can check if any of my choices are already nominated. If so, I can add other titles from my lists. 

One reason I'm particularly pleased to be chosen as a ROUND ONE panelist is that I don't have to make that final, challenging decision. Even so, narrowing down 100+ titles in my category this year, Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction, will be genuinely wrenching as we examine and discuss and winnow the best of the best from every angle. Last year we scrutinized (and enjoyed!) more than 200 titles in the Fiction Picture Book category.

So don't miss out. Make sure we consider your favorites, too. If you have children at home or in a classroom, seek their opinions, too, although only adults may nominate. When the deadline arrives, the judging begins. The reading has already begun once each nominee is screened as to its appropriate inclusion in the category. 
Why not sign up to follow the Cybils blog to follow along throughout the process and read reviews of some terrific titles from 2016?

It's CYBILS Time Again:

After sitting on this announcement for more than a week, I can finally share the news. I've been chosen to serve as a Cybils Round One Panelist in 2016 for Elementary and Juvenile Nonfiction! 

Stay tuned for details about when and where and how you can nominate your own favorites from 2016 releases in each and every category. Once that nomination period ends, I and the many other panelists will get to work reading, examining, reviewing, considering, reflecting, ... and eventually reducing very long lists to the finalists for round two judges to consider.
In the process I (we) will be reviewing, sharing, recommending, and celebrating many amazing titles, so it's a win-win all the way around.
But for now... I'm dancing! (Not as cute as Snoopy here, but the spirit is the same!)