How to use this Page

In case you haven't printed it out yet and shared it with your enthusiastic readers, I'm reminding you that the Cybils flyer has been updated and includes all of the 2008 shortlisted titles (without blurbs), and includes the winners in boldface type at the top of each category list.

The front page of the flyer includes a description of what the Cybils are all about, nomination instructions, important dates, and contact information. And for those of you who still need a little convincing of how important the Cybils are, check out these numbers from the Cybils blog:

Total number of nominated books: 843
Percent read by at least one panelist: 98
Percent read by at least two panelists: 92
Number of winning authors and illustrators: 15
Cost, in dollars, of Lanier Classic Fountain Pen for each winner: 65
Page views on opening day, Oct. 1st, 2008: 4,942
Page views on Jan. 2nd, 2009 (our most-ever): 5,346
Total page views, as of this writing: 301,356
Average page views per day: 350
Technorati ranking, as of this writing: 12,134

There's been a bunch of Cybils Fanfare since the winners were announced. As a judge in the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Nonfiction Category in which The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir won, it was pretty awesome to read that Cylin Busby, co-author with her father John Busby of The Year We Disappeared, wrote about winning the Cybils award for middle grade/YA nonfiction, saying: "Went to the "Kids Heart Authors" event at our local indie this morning (Skylight Books in Los Feliz). And when we got home, there were tons of emails in my inbox saying "Congrats!" and whatnot. So I thought, "wow, folks are getting pretty excited about this CBS show tonight, but it's not like we won an award or something...." oops. We DID win an award. A Cybils Award!"

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day with the ones you love than to head to a bookstore where you can meet local authors and illustrators? Kids Heart Authors is bringing communities together and spreading some literary love all over New England and various cities. Be sure to visit the Kids Heart Authors website to see where it's taking place by you.

Bookstores will have plenty of books, and authors and illustrators will personalize them and answer any and all questions about writing and drawing. Over 40 independent bookstores and 170 authors and/or illustrators are involved!

Tomorrow is the BIG day! Who will will the 2008 Cybils Awards? Head on over to the Cybils blog to check out all of the finalists in the following categories...

Easy Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Non-Fiction MG/YA
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir

Authors: Cylin and John Busby
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (August 2008)
Reading Level: YA/ 352 pages

Imagine as a nine-year old, going through everyday with a police officer following you (everywhere!), living inside a fortified house, and a dog trained to kill living in your yard. This is the true story of the Busby family. This was one Cybils Finalist I was really looking forward to reading. When I tracked it down at another library, I powered through it in two days! I couldn't put it down. I had never heard of this story, but found myself so intrigued by the strength and resilience of this family that was forced to endure so much.

When Cylin Busby was nine years old, she was obsessed with Izod clothing, the Muppets, and her pet box turtle. Then, in the space of a night, everything changed. Her police officer father, John, was driving to work when someone leveled a shotgun at his window. The blasts that followed left John’s jaw on the passenger seat of his car—literally. Busby is taken to Massachusetts General, where he spends the next few months unable to talk or to eat. Overnight, the Busbys went from being the "family next door" to one under 24-hour armed guard, with police escorts to school, and no contact with friends.

Worse, the shooter was still on the loose, and it seemed only a matter of time before he’d come after John—or someone else in the family—again. The shooter has close ties to the police department and the investigation turns out to be very careless.No one is arrested, and the family spends the next year pretty much under house arrest with round-the-clock police guards, a sniper on their roof, and a police dog chained up in their backyard. With their lives unraveling around them, and few choices remaining for a future that could ever be secure, the Busby family left everything and everyone they had ever known…and simply disappeared.

The format of the book makes it a fascinating read. The chapters alternate between John's recollections and those of his daughter, Cylin, who was nine years old at the time of the events. This way, the reader sees the events through the eyes of an adult and through the eyes of a nine-year old. We often never hear how a child is affected by such a tragedy, so to hear Cylin's perspective is truly unique.

Some young readers might not be able to take the graphic detail in this book, but those interested in crime stories will find that it lingers with you and gives you a new appreciation for police families.

Be sure to tune in February 14th at 10 p.m. to watch the Busby family story on CBS's Live to Tell series from the producers of 48 Hours. I know I'll be watching!
For more info, visit CBS News.

Read another great review...
Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System

Author: David A. Aguilar
Publisher:National Geographic Children's Books (March 11, 2008)
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages

Who isn't amazed by the possibility of life on Jupiter's moons, the freeze-dried atmosphere of Pluto, and a potential planet the author calls Eggland?

Since the last time I went to science class, astronomers have come up with a new way to think about our planetary system which is why I found this book fascinating. The planets are broken into three groups- terrestrial (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars), gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), and then the dwarf planets (Ceres, Pluto, and Eris). Aguilar devotes a two-page spread to each of the eleven planets and additional two-page spreads explain other extraterrestrial bodies such as moons, meteorites, and comets. There are great facts such as, "Unlike any other planet in our solar system, Uranus has a 98-degree tilt to its axis. Scientists think that really early in its history, it was hit by something really big that knocked it completely over on its side." In addition, Aguilar has a skill of making a difficult subject very easy to understand. "You can think of our solar system as neighborhoods in space."

David A. Aguilar is Director of Science Information at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and in addition to writing and making art about space, he loves building telescopes, leading astronomy expeditions, and telling people about the latest discoveries. Aguilar's artwork in this book is breathtaking and will have you dreaming of hopping on a spaceship and soaring to outer space.

What I really like about this book are the hidden gems. For instance, a trick to remember the names of the planets in order from the Sun, and "The Solar System in a Grocery Bag." The size of the solar system is immense to us, so Aguilar provides a way to put it into better perspective with items you can find at a grocery store. What a great lesson to do with young readers!

Read these other great reviews...

Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner
Sarah Rettger at Archimedes Forgets

Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers

Author: Nancy Amanda Redd
Publisher: Gotham; 1st edition (December 27, 2007)
Pages: 272 pages

I searched all over to find this book in a Connecticut library and when I was finally successful, it was checked out! Ugh! Fortunately, I took out a bunch of other Cybils finalists and by the time those needed to be returned, it was checked back in- phew! When I first thumbed through the book, I have to admit, I was a little shocked at the pictures. Redd holds nothing back and I think it's fantastic! A book like this needs to tell (and show!) the whole truth and nothing but the truth! The cover says it all: Real girls, real bodies, real issues, real answers. I agree with other reviewers of this book when they say, "I wish I had this book in high school and college." It should be recommended reading. I think it's a great resource for women of all ages (even I learned a few things), and a handy tool for the mom or dad who doesn't quite know the right things to say when it comes to body issues.

All of us are concerned about our bodies, so it's nice to have a book that shows how women's bodies actually look, smell, feel, behave, and change. Nobody's perfect and we all have that one thing (or two!) that makes us wonder, "Is this normal?" Well, now you can find out. Body Drama talks about all the issues that every girl should know about and presents the facts in a fun, conversational way. The photos of real girls show us how most bodies look, not the usual 'perfect' ones we see gracing magazine covers. I especially love the section that covers airbrushing and how magazine pictures come to be what they are, and the tips on how to give yourself a great facial are excellent! It's great to see a book educate women about real life and what women's bodies naturally go through.

Check out Nancy Amanda Redd's website for information about the author and extras that go with the book.

Read these other great reviews...

Carol's Corner
Abby the Librarian

Let's give a big KUDOS to all of the Cybils panelists who narrowed down enormous lists of titles- Frankly, I'd love to know when they slept! But the day has finally come and the 2008 Cybils Finalists have been announced. Head on over to the Cybils blog to check out all of the finalists in the following categories...

Easy Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Non-Fiction MG/YA
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

Since I’m a judge for the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category, I'm excited to get reading, talking books and help choose a winner. Thanks to the Panelists in the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category for selecting the finalists...

Jill Tullo The Well-Read Child
Kathy M. Burnette The Brain Lair
Sarah Rettger Archimedes Forgets
Carol Wilcox Carol's Corner
Vivian Mahoney HipWriterMama

And, of course, a big congratulations to the finalists in the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Non-Fiction category...

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System
written by David Aguilar
National Geographic Children's Books

My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants (10-year-old Maryn Smith's winning entry for the National Geographic Children's Book Planetary Mnemonic Contest). So begins this engaging introduction to the newly classified solar system. Stunning artwork, cool facts on how the planets are named after different gods and goddesses, simple explanations and an informative glossary make this a book young astronomers will enjoy reading.
--Vivian Mahoney, HipWriterMama

Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry
written by Scott Reynolds Nelson
National Geographic Children's Books

A field trip into the mind of a historian. Historian Scott Reynolds Nelson invites readers to follow him as he uses artifacts, photographs, and other documents to put together the pieces of a real- life historical mystery.
--Carol Wilcox, Carol's Corner

Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers
written by Nancy Amanda Redd
Gotham Books

Leave your embarrassment at the door, because this book combines refreshing candor with no-holds barred topics, untouched photos, and information backed by a leading physician to help empower teen girls. The photos are somewhat shocking, but important for girls to see so they know their body is normal. Don't let your teens get the wrong information from their friends...let them get empowered with real information and love the body they're in.
--Vivian Mahoney, HipWriterMama

King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
written by Steve Sheinkin
Roaring Brook

Historian and textbook author Steve Sheinkin provides a factual, fun chronicle that traces the American Revolution from start to finish. Humorous chapter titles and illustrations, entertaining facts, and labeled maps make learning history lots of fun.
--Jill Tullo, The Well-Read Child

Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life
written by Martin Sandler
Walker Books for Young Readers

John F. Kennedy may have been the first television president, but Lincoln Through the Lens makes a strong case for recognizing Abraham Lincoln as the first photographic president. From the earliest known photo of Lincoln to the only one taken after his death, Martin Sandler shows how the sixteenth president was captured on film, and how he used the images to his advantage.
--Sarah Rettger, Archimedes Forgets

Swords: An Artist's Devotion
written and illustrated by Ben Boos
Candlewick Press

Ben Boos' well written and visually stimulating book was a pleasure to read. The illustrations were detailed and the history fascinating. Children of all ages will pore over this book as they trace the sword designs through the ages. Ben relayed the use of the sword throughout the ages including the Middle Ages and the age of the Samurai. Ben's drawings illuminated not only the variety of swords used but his love for this "formidable tool".
--Kathy Burnette, The Brainlair

The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir
written by Cylin Busby and John Busby
Bloomsbury USA

In summer, 1979, Cylin Busby was nine years old, living with her parents and two older brothers on Cape Cod, Massachusetts when her life changed in a matter of minutes. Cylin's father, John Busby, a policeman, was on his way to work when a car pulled up next to him and shot off the bottom half of his jaw. THE YEAR WE DISAPPEARED is a memoir, told by Cylin Busby and her father John, in alternating chapters, of the terrible year following Busby's shooting. A terrific real life crime read!
--Carol Wilcox, Carol's Corner

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Hyperion

Kadir Nelson connects with readers in his history of Negro League baseball told from the first person point of view of an "everyman" player. The engaging narrative combined with stunning oil paintings capture the joy and passion of the players who were surrounded by hatred and inequality.
--Jill Tullo, The Well-Read Child

Midnight tonight is your last chance to nominate your favorite books for the 2008 Cybils. So many great books have been nominated, but if you want your voice heard, please visit The Cybils and put in your vote!

Remember, there are nine categories... (I'm sure there's one you can vote in)

Easy Readers
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Novels
Non-Fiction Middle Grade/Young Adult Books
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Novels

Anyone can nominate books in these categories (one nomination per person per category). Nominated titles must be published between January 1st and October 15th of this year, and the books must be in English (or bilingual, where one of the languages is English). To nominate titles, visit the Cybils blog today.

Why am I such a bad, bad blogger the past two weeks? Many, many reasons:

1. I've been putting the Cybils panels together. This is more difficult than you'd think. Reaching that perfect balance of writer-librarian-teacher-other on each and every panel is difficult. Not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings is difficult. Scouring your e-mail to make sure you didn't miss anyone is difficult. But I'm almost there (one panel to go!) and then I should be back in business. (You would not believe the amount of time and angst goes into my work putting the panels together. Seriously.)
   
2. My internet was out over the weekend! During the kidlitosphere conference, which I had to miss because of medical issues at home. Thanks, everyone, for your great posts. I've been catching up all morning now that I'm back online.
   

Mark October 1st on your calendar! The Cybils will be opening nominations for the 2008 contest, so be sure to visit and nominate your favorite children's books. There are nine different genres to vote for! This year is very special to me- I'm excited to announce that I'm on the judging panel for the Middle Grade/ Young Adult NonFiction category! I look forward to reading and talking about all of the nominated books.

Do you know what I also love about The Cybils? It's a chance to check out some of the hottest blogs in the kidlitosphere. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready for some websurfing!

Look for announcements in coming weeks as the third annual Cybils lines up the rest of the year's participating bloggers and launches the new season.

Anne and I are nearly finished putting together the panels for the 2008 Cybils. The first panel--Early Readers--will be announced tomorrow at the Cybils blog. If you wrote in with your requests, you'll be hearing from me over the course of this week before your requested categories are announced.

I can't wait to get started, how 'bout you?

We're adding a new category for the 2008 Cybils--Easy Readers. Easy Readers are those 6" x 9" books found in the easy-to-read section. The category will be headed up by none other than Anastasia Suen (Book of the Week, Children's Book Biz News, Picture Book of the Day, Scholastic's Kid Lit Kit) and we're looking for judges. If you're interested, read the judging announcement on the Cybils blog and send me and Anne an e-mail. (If you've already written in, but would consider serving on Easy Readers, then please also drop us a line.)

P.S. I am 24 hours behind responding to Cybils e-mails. Do not panic. I will answer Thursday afternoon.