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So proud to see "Following Grandfather" (Rosemary Wells) and "Tugg and Teeny: That's What Friends Are For" ( J. Patrick Lewis ) on the list of nominees for the Easy Reader/Early Chapter Book category of the 2012 Cybils Award! There are so many great books nominated this year. See the complete list here: http://www.cybils.com/2012-nominations-easy-readersearly-chapter-books.html

Just two years ago I was admiring the work of my friend Kelly Murphy (http://www.kelmurphy.com/books.html)  in this book category and wishing that I would have the opportunity to pursue some similar projects. The Universe responded with a wonderful Rosemary Wells manuscript and a three book series by Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis. Fantastic. Now, lets see...what would be nice for 2013?

Many thanks to our friend Jamie Michalak (http://jamiedmichalak.blogspot.com/) for letting us know!

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Thanks for joining us and nominating your favorite books for the 2012 Cybils! We've got hundreds of nominees that we're still sorting through behind the scenes, and our hardworking Round 1 panelists have already gotten started reading and evaluating.

If you're worried about having nominated a book in the wrong category -- fear not. We'll figure out where it's supposed to go. As long as it was nominated by midnight last night and otherwise meets our eligibility requirements, it's a go.

ATTN: PUBLISHERS--the publisher submission window is October 16-26. You'll be hearing from Sheila Ruth, our publisher liaison, by the end of the week if you are in our contact database. If you haven't received any email from us yet this year, you are probably not in our database; please email Sheila at sruth@wandsandworlds.com to be added.

And, everyone, please keep visiting our blog this season for reviews of nominated titles (our first review was posted yesterday), updates on the contest, and other goodies.

--Sarah Stevenson, blog editor

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You've only got today and tomorrow if you want to nominate a Cybils title as a member of the public--please check out our official nominations post for all the information and links you need. There will be a short period of time after public nominations close while we process nominations from publishers and authors, after which the real work begins! 

For now, though, if you haven't nominated yet, go do it soon, and keep checking the Cybils blog for occasional updates along with great reviews from our volunteer judges.

Oh, and thanks for your participation--we wouldn't have a Cybils without everyone's enthusiasm and willingness to share their favorite books each year!

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Yep, we've got a few more lists from panelists who are saying please, PLEASE don't miss these great books when you go to nominate. There are definitely some in here that I'm surprised haven't been nominated yet, so if you've been waiting around for those worthy not-yet-nommed titles, here's what you've been waiting for.

• Karen Jensen, a Round 1 SFF judge over at Teen Librarian's Toolbox, has a wishlist that includes book 3 of 2o1o Cybils winner Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry--not yet nominated! (As of her post, anyway.)
• We've got app wish lists--BOY, have we got app wish lists! There's a 4-part series over at Digital Media Diet (put up by Round 1 Book Apps judge Carissa Kluver) here, here, here, and here, and Paula Willey over at Pink Me has a list here (which has some amazing math and science titles on it).
• There are more SFF books to be nominated, too! Check out the list from Round 1 teen SFF panelist Kim Baccellia and one more list from Charlotte Taylor (including a title from Artemis Fowl creator Eoin Colfer!).

Me, I always wait until the last day or so, and then I try to pop in some of these neglected titles that are either books I've personally loved or that someone else has serious book lust for. It's especially helpful in categories I don't have as much experience with, like book apps (sigh...one day I'll get an iPad...) or poetry. So if you're like me, you'll want to take a gander at these lists. Also, check out our previous list posts here and here.

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Still wondering what to nominate? There are a lot of Cybils-worthy books out there, and we've got a few more lists for you from panelists who'd love to see them nominated:

• Amy Uptain, a round 2 judge for nonfiction picture books, has listed some favorite picture books from this past year (fiction and non) at her blog, Hope Is the Word. (Bonus: she also hosts the Armchair Cybils! How cool is that??)
• Round 1 MG fiction judge and Cybils regular Andi Sibley has some great titles she'd love to see nominated--check out her post on a wrung sponge.
• Aurora Celeste of the YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog has a short list of not-yet-nominated titles in that category--she's one of our round 1 panelists in teen SFF.
• Last but not least, Book Apps really needs your help! Mary Ann Scheuer, the category chair, has posted an excellent roundup of truly amazing-looking book apps over at her blog, Great Kid Books. 

Those of you (like, ahem, myself) who are waiting until later in the process to nominate titles that might have been missed--be aware that there is only a handful of days left!

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Part of a series introducing each genre, written by the organizer.

The category of Fiction Picture Books would appear clearcut: books that are fictional with pictures. Oh, but that simplicity is deceptive. The genre contains titles for toddlers and third graders, funny stories and moving tales, history and fantasy, traditions and diversity, elegance and silliness, education and entertainment. An amazing conceptual range for books with typically 32 to 48 pages.

All these types of books must be weighed against each other to create a Cybils shortlist of standouts that excel in story, illustration, kid appeal and literary value. Not-so-simple a task in not-so-simple a category, but at end of the Cybils judging, we plan to bring you some of the best in fiction picture books and a final winner to represent them all.

--Pamela Coughlan

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Part of a series introducing each genre, written by the organizer.

Comics FTW! The graphic novels category covers a wide range of stories--everything from wordless picture books appealing to the very young to intense, issue-based young adult novels--all of which tell their stories through serial artwork. All of these stories are welcome. We give an award for both the younger graphics and for the young adult graphics.

Since our goal is to have every book placed in the category where it stands the best chance of winning, we generally place graphics for emergent readers (for example, the Toon books),in the early reader category.  Early readers often combine images and text, due to the needs of the readers, so this is a category where graphics can be a great fit-- so go ahead and nominate them there!

Can't wait to read your choices!

--Liz Jones

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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

You're never too young for nonfiction! Nonfiction Picture Books are the perfect way to introduce kids to the amazing world around them, from history and biography to art and nature. Science? Math? Animals? Sports? It's all here and more besides! We're looking for titles that make great read-alouds or are suitable for beginning and intermediate readers, illustrations and photographs that will wow kids and adults alike, and topics so fascinating that kids will want to go digging for more, more, more nonfiction!

Nonfiction Picture Books includes titles with factual content and informational titles, or books intended to teach. For example, the Magic School Bus series or biographies with fictional dialogue would be included. Titles are generally 48 pages or less with text aimed at younger readers and listeners.

-- Jennifer Wharton

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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

Middle grade fiction encompasses a wide range of stories that do not have magical elements and are geared toward the 8 to 12 year old age group. Mysteries, histories, humor, sports, adventure and other tales set in the real world are all part of this category.

Readers this age are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be, and reading fiction is a great way for them to explore the possibilities in the world without worrying that they are wearing the wrong thing!

Sometimes, they like to read about kids just like themselves in real life situations, whether they are kids who get good grades or constantly get into trouble. If these books are funny and action-packed, so much the better! On the other hand, since readers are expanding their world views, they often like to read about kids who are not like them—characters who have other interests, live in other places and times, have different kinds of families, and face struggles they may never have experienced.

The Cybils hopes to find realistic fiction books that are well-written and thought provoking but also make Middle Grade readers want to keep turning the pages. This is your chance to tell us what books you think middle grade readers will not only learn from but be excited about recommending to their friends.

-- Karen Yingling

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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

I mean come on!  A famous pilot missing for years, all about crocodiles, the guy with the insane hairdo, creepy bugs, green solutions for our planet, plunging to the depths of the icy sea, riding the first bicycle, feeling the anger and triumph as women win the right to vote, getting inside the inner workings of an airplane, traveling the world…these are all subjects that have been or will be covered in the Non-fiction Middle Grade and YA category at some point.

Non-fiction is supposed to be the factual and true accounts of any given subject.  That doesn't mean it has to be boring. 

We're looking for engaging books that teach with darned good storytelling.  The reading level at Middle Grade is particularly important because we are fostering that love of reading, playing to their curiosity and investigative senses.  At the YA level, we are looking for more complex factual writing, but we're still looking at keeping that love of reading and learning going strong.

NFMGYA in a nutshell?

• Truth
• Storytelling
• Great writing
• Kid Appeal

-- Gina Ruiz

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Poetry is tiny but mighty in nominations. From words that rhyme, words that flow and shape emotions on all different topics to poetic forms, the Poetry Genre is home to a veritable stew of entries. These books will appeal to the very young, middle grade and/or young adults.

What belongs in Poetry? Anthologies and poetry collections written by various authors or a single author should be nominated. They can include illustrations or not. If the words on the page sing to kids of all ages and it is a collection of poems, Poetry is the category.

Beautifully written novels  in verse belong in MG Fiction or YA Fiction, while a single poem with luscious illustrations belongs in Picture Books.

This year,  Poetry is accepting poetry collections born as ebooks.

Poems come in endless styles and forms, shapes and sizes. If you have a collection that appeals to kids be sure to nominate it. The panelists are eagerly waiting to read what you nominate.

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The world as it was and is. Not as it could, or would, or should be. Send the dystopias and space operas, the fairies and angels, the blood-suckers, zombies, and alternate realities to SFF. In YA Fiction we are looking for realistic fiction, be it contemporary or historical, funny or mysterious, romantic or adventurous. We want the real world of the past and present with all of its flaws and pain and humor and beauty. We want books published for young adults ages 12-18 that are not only well-written, but which will expose the world and open a window to self-discovery. Books that respect their audience; books that teens will press into their friends' hands with fervor in their eyes and say, "You HAVE to read this." We are looking for the handful that can call themselves the greatest teen novels of 2012.

-- Jackie Parker

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That's right--in case you haven't been religiously following the Cybils blog on a daily basis, waiting with bated breath for each new post (and of COURSE you have, haven't you??) we're providing you with a handy list of this year's category descriptions all in one place, for your convenience. In case you want a refresher later, they'll also be accessible from our new nominations form. Here you go:

Book Apps

Easy Readers/Short Chapter Books

Fantasy & Science Fiction

Fiction Picture Books

Graphic Novels

Middle Grade Fiction

Non-Fiction Picture Books

Non-Fiction: Middle Grade & Young Adult

Poetry

Young Adult Fiction

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Nominations for the 2012 Cybils open just after the stroke of midnight (Pacific time) as Sunday turns into Monday. Check your list of favorite new books and get ready, everyone.

But -- Attention, Please! Achtung! And so forth! -- we've had a few changes to our nominations process and timeline, particularly with respect to where publishers and self-published authors come in. So please check below the jump for these changes, or review the FAQ. Thanks in advance for your careful reading.

Changes to who can nominate: Anyone may nominate one book per genre during the public nomination period. HOWEVER, new this year, we are asking authors, publishers and publicists to wait until after the public nomination period ends to submit their own books.

Updates to the nomination form: This year, we’ve tried to make the form mobile-friendly, so you can use your phone to nominate if you prefer. Authors and publishers may use the public form to nominate books other than their own, but should contact sruth@wandsandworlds.com for information on submitting their own books.

New information for publishers:

This year, we are providing publishers, authors, and publicists a separate window to submit books after the public nomination period ends. This gives you a chance to see what books have been nominated, and to submit any deserving books that fell through the cracks. You may submit up to 10% of your 2012 children’s/YA list. We ask that you do not submit your own books during the public nomination period.

After Oct. 15, we'll be in touch to let you know what books have been nominated, and give you a chance to submit any additional ones. We do ask that you send review copies, physical or digital, of any books that you submit. Review copies of publicly nominated books will be optional, as always, but it’s often helpful if you can get us a few.  This year we will also be working with NetGalley, so you are free to use that as an option for making copies available. Please don't contact judges directly. We'll be sorting out who needs what to prevent duplication. To make sure you’re on the list to receive information, please send an email to Sheila Ruth at sruth@wandsandworlds.com. Thanks!

New information for self-published authors: Please see the above information for publishers. To make sure that we have your contact information, drop an email to Sheila Ruth at sruth@wandsandworlds.com. Please don't contact judges directly. It's much easier to have only one contact person -- for us and for you.

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Part of our series introducing each genre, written by the organizer.

Comics FTW! The graphic novels category covers a wide range of stories--everything from wordless picture books appealing to the very young to intense, issue-based young adult novels--all of which tell their stories through serial artwork. All of these stories are welcome. We give an award for both the younger graphics and for the young adult graphics.

In the past, we've been fairly strict about limiting the category so that there are not big chunks of text between the comic panels--books that take this shape are considered to be hybrid illustrated novels rather than graphic novels, and go to the category they'd belong in if they didn't have the images.

But what if the images are an essential part of the story? What if the book won't do as well in the other category, simply because the text, by itself, doesn't have the same power as the book as a whole? This is something which our group has discussed, and fretted about, for awhile now.

So this year, we're going to experiment with adding some hybrid illustrated novels, with the goal of having every book placed in the category where it stands the best chance of winning. Hybrids we'll allow in graphics are books where the pictures are essential to the storytelling, and where most of the story is in the comics format, with occasional chunks of text.

One final thing--if the hybrid you're nominating is an early reader (the Toon books, or Frankie Pickle, from past years), go ahead and nominate it in that category. Early readers often combine images and text, due to the needs of the readers, so this is a category where hybrid graphics are a great fit.

Can't wait to read your choices!

--Liz Jones

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Part of a series introducing each genre, written by the organizer.

The first thing that stands out about books in these two genres is their shape. They're sized for their audience to hold while reading aloud (roughly 6 x 9 inches). Think "reading by nine" and you can visualize this K through 3 audience. Other helpful hints:

Easy Readers usually have a banner and some form of the word "read" on the cover. They have short, simple sentences presented in BIG type fonts. In an Easy Reader, the images are usually in full color and are designed to help the child decode the words in the text.

Early Chapter Books are like traditional chapter books, but thinner and with fewer pages. Their chapters are short (usually 3-6 pages), are illustrated (usually black and white), and have wide spacing between lines. Examples: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker; Roscoe Riley Rules by Katherine Applegate; My Weird School by Dan Gutman.

--Terry Doherty

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Part of a series introducing each genre, written by the organizer.

The category of Fiction Picture Books would appear clearcut as books that are fictional with pictures. Oh, but that simplicity is deceptive. The genre contains titles for toddlers and third graders, funny stories and moving tales, history and fantasy, traditions and diversity, elegance and silliness, education and entertainment. An amazing conceptual range for books with typically 32 to 48 pages.

All these types of books must be weighed against each other to create a Cybils shortlist of standouts that excel in story, illustration, kid appeal and literary value. Not-so-simple a task in not-so-simple a category, but at end of the Cybils judging, we plan to bring you some of the best in fiction picture books and a final winner to represent them all.

--Pamela Coughlan

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You know what I haven't seen much of this year? Lists of stuff to nominate. Some of you like compiling the titles you didn't get to nominate because of the one-book-per-genre rule. Those suggestions are hugely helpful to others. I know I've nominated in YA and SFF and even book apps, but I've no idea what picture book -- fiction or nonfiction -- to add to the pile. I'll happily nominate something recommended by another blogger in a genre I don't usually read.

Help me out!

If you've compiled a list on your blog of worthy titles that are in danger of being overlooked, please include a link in our comments below.

(Pretty please don't try and name all the books you want in our comments. Just a link to your own list is fine. Thanks!)

--Anne Levy, Cybils admin.

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Just for the fun of it, the very first two nominations that came in last week were only eleven seconds apart. Hallie Tibbets earns our profound thanks and the number one spot for getting a nomination in at exactly 12:02:26 on Oct. 1. Her nomination was for The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, a teen fantasy novel.

In second was Elijah Z with his nomination in Graphic Novels, Sidekicks, by Dan Santat.

Thanks to both of you for your enthusiasm!

--Anne Levy

Hat tip: Sheila Ruth

 

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Nominations are now closed for the 2011 Cybils Awards. Thanks to all who nominated a book. We're still sorting through more than 1,100 titles behind the scenes. For those worried about having nominated a book in the wrong category -- fear not. We'll figure out where it's supposed to go. As long as it was nominated by midnight last night and otherwise meets our eligibility requirements, it's a go.

We hope you'll keep visiting us this season! We'll begin running the best of our judges' book reviews on Wednesday. Reminder: we're also looking for photos of your local indie bookstore. Take a few snapshots next time you wander in and let us know what makes them great.

--Anne Levy, Cybils Admin.

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It's that time of the year! YABC is hosting a Reader's Choice Awards again for 2011! We'll be collecting your nominations until Sunday, January 1st. Then, on Monday the 2nd, we'll open the voting for your favorites in these categories:

- Young Adult Book
- Young Adult Author
- Middle Grade Book
- Middle Grade Author
- Children's/Picture Book
- Children's/Picture Book Author

Winners are nominated AND chosen exclusively by our YABC readers. Winners will receive a Reader's Choice badge to display on their website, and, of course, unlimited bragging rights.

So get your nominations in today -- don't let your favorite book or author miss out!


YA = for ages 12 and above
MG = books for ages 8-11
Children's = for ages 7 and under


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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

Look! In your lap! Is it an ebook? Is it a talking book? Is it a movie? No, it really isn’t any of those. You poke it! You shake it! You tilt it! What could this be? Ohhhhh, you say, this is a BOOK APP!

Book apps are stand-alone applications on a touchscreen device like the iPad that combine features of books, audiobooks, ebooks, animation and video creating a unique experience for readers of all ages. Book apps have been developed for the youngest children - transposing Sandra Boynton’s classic board books into a book app; but they have also been developed for advanced YA readers, integrating text, video and images into an interactive experience.

The best book apps engage readers as they enter a story world or explore a nonfiction topic. The reader plays an active part in the experience, turning pages, triggering animation, tapping characters, solving puzzles.  The interactive features must build on the overall reading experience and not distract readers from the main flow. Each element of the app must draw the reader into the story world or nonfiction topic.

Once again, we will be evaluating book apps on iPads from the iTunes App Store, so all nominations must be available for the iPad, even if they are also available on other platforms. This is because we cannot ask judges to have access to a multitude of devices, and the iPad is still the most prevalent device.

As with all Cybils nominations, the book apps must be published between October 16, 2011 and October 15, 2012. That means the app must be originally released after October 16, 2011 - we aren’t looking at when updates occurred, only the original release. If you aren’t sure of the initial release date, you can check http://appshopper.com. 

--Mary Ann Scheuer

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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

Last year, as the newbie, I was quite *ahem* straight-laced and literal with my category description. I felt so 6x9 … so traditional chapter-y. So, dare I say it? Easy to read. This year I’m going totally sophomoric!

It is what our readers want! Power to the new readers!

• The illustrations aren’t word decoders, they’re sight gags and sketches and real pictures of stuff.
• Readers like big type because it takes up more space on the page, not because they need glasses!
• Best of all, they can count the number of pages in a chapter on one hand!

Have you gotten a sense of the readers for this category? They are elementary-aged kids who are building their reading skills. The books in this category can hook them on reading and the best ones turn them into bookworms for life.

Our category ranges from the books that have some form of “read” on the cover to the short, illustrated chapter stories that prepare them for middle grade material. Easy readers are pretty, well, easy to recognize.

With short chapter books it gets a little more complicated. Sometimes the plot suggests we need to push it to middle grade … or sometimes it needs to move over to us. Nominate the book where you think it best fits and the Category Chairs will take it from there!

It isn’t always easy trying to decide the best reader is for a  nominated book, but we’re up for the task. We’ll do anything to help you create a bookworm!

--Terry Doherty

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Part of a series to introduce each genre, written by the category chair.

Science fiction and fantasy take us to realms of the imagination: places and times and realities where the rules of life may be different than our own and where the impossible and improbable become real. But good science fiction and fantasy does more than that: it asks, "What if?" It makes us think. It holds up a mirror to our own society and lets us see ourselves in a different light.

Like our counterparts in the other categories, we'll be looking for books that combine the best writing with kid or teen appeal, but we'll also be looking at some of the unique requirements of the genre, such as world building and internal consistency. The elements in a science fiction or fantasy book don't have to be possible, but the writer must make us believe that they really could exist, perhaps do exist, if only we could find them.

This is a diverse category that includes a wide range of subjects, from wizards, demons, ghosts and vampires to outer space adventures, alternate history and dystopian futures. If a book has any unreal, otherworldly or mystical elements in it, chances are that it belongs here. Even if the fantastic elements are only a small part of the story, it should probably be nominated here. After all, some of the best science fiction and fantasy is about ordinary people who encounter the extraordinary and are changed by it. The only exception would be if the fantastic elements seem to be only in the imagination of a character, or are otherwise "not real" in the context of the story. Those books should probably be placed in the regular Middle Grade or YA categories.

SFF-oriented text novels with graphic sections belong here. If the book is primarily graphica, or a hybrid, it might fit best in the Graphic Novels category. Easy Readers, Early Chapter Books and Picture Books go in those categories even if they have Fantasy or Science Fiction content.

Finding the line between SFF and the other categories isn't always easy, so just nominate it where you think it best fits, and we'll move it if we think it would be better in a different category.

As we did last year, we are accepting born digital ebooks with no corresponding print version in the SFF Teen category (but not for the younger readers).

--Sheila Ruth

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