2015 CYBILS FINALISTS!
I'm excited to announce that the finalists for the 2015 Cybils Awards
have been announced. I'm going to highlight the seven books that have
been chosen for the category that I'm a second round judge for, but I'm
also going to include the links for the other categories because there
are a lot of great books on those lists. In fact I'm kind of thrilled
that three of my nominations made it into the finals! :)
Bayou Magic
Castle Hangnail
Cuckoo Song
Mars Evacuees
The Dungeoneers
The Fog Diver
Wings of Fire Book Six: Moon Rising
Bayou Magic
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Patricia Tilton
In a simple but not simplistic story, 10-year-old Maddie
visits her Grandmère in the Louisiana bayou in order to learn the magical
traditions of her family. While there, she discovers how friendship and magic
(and bonus mermaids!) can help with modern problems, and learns the importance
of being connected to the land around her. Rhodes has created a book with a
lyrical mix of African, French and Creole traditions that has a huge heart and
is full of magic and, ultimately, joy.
Melissa Fox, The Book Nut
Castle Hangnail
by Ursula Vernon
Dial Books
Nominated by: Jennifer
The titular castle of Castle Hangnail needs a new master, or
it will risk being decommissioned, forcing all the resident minions to find new
homes. When 12-year-old Molly comes knocking on the castle door, the minions
(who expected a powerful dark magic user) are skeptical, but Molly is
determined to convince them that she is wicked enough for the job (though she
actually has a very good heart). Everything seems to be going well until an evil
sorceress shows up claiming she is Castle Hangnail’s real intended master. Its
illustrations, humor, messages of friendship and determination, and a host of
memorable secondary characters (with a special nod to one minion–Pins, a voodoo
doll with a talking goldfish) make Castle Hangnail an utterly enjoyable and
charming place to spend your reading time!
Benda Tjaden, Log Cabin Library
Cuckoo Song
by Frances Hardinge
Harry N Abrams
Nominated by: Maureen E
“Mummy, help me, please help me, everything’s strange and
nothing’s right, and my mind feels as if it’s made up of pieces and some of
them are missing…” When Triss wakes up from a mysterious accident, she is
somehow not herself–she feels an overwhelming hunger that is only satisfied by
eating the oddest things, dead leaves appear in her room, on her pillow, and in
her hair; her little sister Pen rejects her completely. Triss/Not-Triss must
put together the pieces of what turns out to be a larger puzzle, one that
encompasses a family’s grief, betrayal, loyalty, and love. Set in post-World
War I Great Britain, Hardinge’s Cuckoo Song is a beautifully written,
deliciously dark fantasy for fans of historical fiction, horror, fairy tales,
or family stories. We think that’s everyone.
Anamaria Anderson, Books Together
Mars Evacuees
by Sophia McDougall
HarperCollins
Nominated by: Stephanie Whelan
Blast off for Mars on this science fiction debut! In order
to keep them safe from the ongoing human-alien warfare on Earth, Alice Dare and
other kids from around the world are being shipped off to the red planet . But
Mars is far from being a safe haven, and when all the adults vanish, Alice and
her new friends set out to get help. Giant floating robot goldfish, unexpected
alien encounters and a not-so friendly Martian landscape are just some of the
challenges they will deal with along the way. This entertaining and
smartly-written romp will make you want to buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Stephanie Whelan, Views From the Tesseract
The Dungeoneers
by John David Anderson
Walden Pond Press
Nominated by: Matt
The Dungeoneers is a first-class adventure that reads like a
role-playing game on the surface, while being booby-trapped with plot twists
and laced with reflections on morality and loyalty. When Colm starts picking
pockets to help his struggling family, they are horrified. But before he can be
imprisoned, he’s rescued by a man impressed by his talents who whisks him off
to study at legendary Tye Twodin’s School for Dungeoneers–professional treasure
hunters and monster fighters. There Colm and his new teammates, the shy young
mageling Quinn Frostfoot, tough-as-nails (unless she’s bleeding herself)
barbarian-to-be Lena Proudfoot, and druid-in-training Serene (with her a pet
spider named Mr. Tickletoes) have to master the skills of dungeoneering.
Swordplay, spells and lock picking aren’t as challenging as navigating the
social pitfalls of an extraordinary boarding school and figuring out who can be
trusted…and that’s before the real adventuring begins!
Katy Kramp, alibrarymama
The Fog Diver
by Joel Ross
HarperCollins
Nominated by: PLCarpenter
Set in a world where a deadly fog has taken over the planet,
and people are forced to live in the skies, a quartet of ragtag orphans make a
living off of what they can scavenge on Earth’s surface, even though it means
sending their diver, Chess, down through the toxic mist while still tethered to
their sky ship. Chess is in less danger than most, as he has a mysterious
resistance to the effects of the fog, but the evil Lord Kodoc will stop at
nothing to find out Chess’ secret.
When the four kids – Hazel (the daring captain), Swedish
(the strong pilot), Bea (the cheery mechanic), and Chess (the secretive
tetherboy) find out that the woman who raised them as family is dying from the
Fog sickness, they decide to embark on an mission to save her life, and avoid
the evil Lord Kodoc. Featuring air pirates, great characters, and a unique
setting, The Fog Diver is a fantastic steampunk adventure with a sci-fi twist
that will leave you wanting more.
Kristen Harvey, The Book Monsters
Wings of Fire Book Six: Moon Rising
by Tui T. Sutherland
Scholastic Press
Nominated by: Angiegirl
The Wings of Fire series returns with new dragons and a
brand new story arc! After years of war, the kingdoms of the dragons are at
peace, and a school has been founded to gather together young dragons from all
the different factions. One of these students is Moonwatcher, a young Nightwing
who has the Nightwing powers of telepathy and prophecy, gifts that might help
her and her new friends thwart the dangerous and deadly plots that threaten the
fragile peace. These books, with their wide range of heroic young dragon
characters,, are just full of kid appeal, and Moon Rising is one of the best of
them. Strong messages of friendship, tolerance, and forgiveness are presented
alongside adventures large and small in a way that will have readers clamoring
for more.
Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte’s Library
LINKS FOR THE OTHER CYBILS CATEGORIES
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