CYBILS MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE FICTION FINALISTS!
I am delighted to announce the 2016 Cybils Finalists for my category of Middle Grade Speculative Fiction. As a second round judge, I have the challenging opportunity to help choose which one of these seven titles will win the crown for this year. For lists of the other categories and their finalists visit here. I'm thrilled to see two of my own nominations make it through to the final round.
With no further ado, here are the seven books chosen to represent the Elementary/MG Speculative category:
The Goblin’s Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Aliceby Andrew Chilton
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: E.B.
When the Sea Turned to Silver
by Grace Lin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: PragmaticMom
With no further ado, here are the seven books chosen to represent the Elementary/MG Speculative category:
13-year-old Thorn was just sold as a slave to the
executioner of Gehanna, a kingdom famous for its dark magic. Lillith
Shadow, also 13, has just become Gehenna’s queen when her parents and
brother were mysteriously killed, and must learn to rule the land of the
undead. When Thorn and Lily’s path cross in Gehenna, the two join
forces to find the killer of Lily’s parents, while also trying to stop
an assassin targeting Lily. Shadow Magic an action-packed fantasy filled
with all manner of creepy characters (dead and alive), including an
enormous, and rather helpful, bat. It’s a captivating mystery full of
magic, with touches of humor and characters to cheer for. It’s perfect
for those who like fantasy with a delightfully Gothic twist.
In fierce Maine winter, with werewolves on the prowl,
12 year old Nick runs from him abusive family and finds himself at the
bookstore of the Evil Wizard Smallbone. The wizard won’t let him go, but
when he’s not being forced to do chores, he secretly learns magic with
the help of the bookstore (it offers him just the right books). Nick’s
new magical skills are put the test when the evil leader of the
werewolves launches an attack on the town Smallbone is sworn to protect.
While Nick’s powers have been growing, Smallbone hasn’t been getting
any younger, and the werewolves are formidable foes. This is a
tremendously fun, imaginative and captivating story. There are lots of
enchantments (including some that go wrong), magical dueling, and a
beautifully satisfying twist at the end. Though Smallbone might be an
“Evil Wizard,” his bookstore and the snowy Maine landscape around it are
lovely places to spend some time (if you don’t mind a few hostile
werewolfs….)
The Firefly Code tells the story of five friends and
one summer that irrevocably changes all of their lives. Set in the
future in a fairly idyllic community protected from the ravages of the
outside world, the Firefly Five have reached that age when they are
beginning to question their reality and the place each of them has in
it. Asking questions about ethics in science, the power of community,
when it is appropriate to rebel, and what it means to live, The Firefly
Code does what truly good science-fiction does best. A mystery, a
friendship story, and a quest story all in one, this book will give
readers a wonderful thought-provoking journey where they will meet
characters they will love and think about long after they close the
pages of the book.
The Goblin’s Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Aliceby Andrew ChiltonAlfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: E.B.
As a kid Mr. Chilton “gobbled up fantasy novels and
logic puzzles.” The Goblin’s Puzzle combines these two interests in a
delightful story of goblins, girls named Alice, a nameless boy, and
dragons. The Boy is running for his life; the goblin, Mennofar, is a
tricky sidekick; and the two Alices, one a princess and the other a
commoner, are just trying to keep from being mistaken for one
another—because one Alice is going to be kidnapped by the dragon,
Ludwig. It’s a rollicking good read with loads of humor, a little bit of
logic, and some tricky puzzles. Read it and learn why it’s “hard for a
goblin and a human to be friends.”
What if you had the opportunity to erase, add or
replace memories? Benji discovers a man named Louis at the fair who can
do just that. When Benji gets the power to change memories himself, he
tries to “fix” his parents, who have decided to divorce. When things go
horribly wrong, Benji tries to find Louis again, only to discover he is
missing. Instead, he finds himself in the middle of the schemes of
Louis’ old apprentice, a woman who wants to use memories for evil and
selfish purposes. Benji must use his new skills as a memory thief and
random abilities picked up from other people’s memories to stop her, and
save his family. It’s a fascinating premise, and though there are light
moments (like Benji’s memories of yoga expertise) the overall tone is
suspenseful and chilling. The tension keeps growing as the pages turn,
driving home the point of the saying of “be careful what you wish for”.
If you want to sail on seas full of magic and monsters,
looking for a legendary place that might not exist, take a Voyage to
Magical North. Two kids, Brine, servant to a very unpleasant wizard, and
Peter, the wizard’s apprentice, are captured by pirates and become part
of a harrowing effort to reach Magical North, a place of extraordinary
dangers and enchantments. Making things even more exciting (in a bad
way) is the seriously evil wizard brought on board the pirate ship
because he’s needed to help them get to their destination. It’s not just
a story of magical voyaging, but also a more universal story of two
young people moving past their intense dislike for each other to work
together, and to find truths about who they are and what they are
capable of. The vivid descriptions of the places and people encountered
are enchanting and haunting, and the brisk pace of the adventure keeps
the pages turning very nicely indeed.
When the Sea Turned to Silverby Grace Lin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: PragmaticMom
The final installment in Grace Lin’s loosely connected
trio of books based in Chinese folklore, When the Sea Turned to Silver
is a beautifully told story that takes the reader on a magical journey
through China from mountains to the sea. Told in Lin’s deceptively
simple, evocative prose, this is a quest full of adventure and action
accompanied by gorgeous, colorful illustrations. The characters come to
vivid life and experience friendship, love, community, and power-both
good and bad. An excellent read aloud for younger children and equally
engrossing as an independent read, When the Sea Turned to Silver is sure
to captivate readers of all ages.
Have fun reading, look forward to see which book you select as the winner in February.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices! They all deserve to be there. I can't wait to see which one wins!
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