Bring it on! I am so excited that I get to be on the Round 1 judging panel for Cybils Middle Grade Science Fiction and Fantasy. What are Cybils, you ask?
The Cybils awards are given each year by bloggers for the year’s best children’s and young adult titles. Nominations open to the public on October 1st. Anyone may nominate one book per genre during the nomination period. We post an online form from Oct. 1-15 every year. Any books published between the end of one contest and start of another are eligible. For 2012, that means books released between Oct. 16, 2011 and Oct. 15, 2012. This year, we are also accepting nominations for book apps for iPad, Web or computers.
What that means is that I get to read probably over 100 middle grade science fiction and fantasy books published this year on a search for the cream of the crop, five or six books that will go on a shortlist from which the second round judges will choose one book to win the Cybil Award in our category. I’m participating as a judge for Cybils for the seventh year, but this is the first time I’ve judged in this category. I love magic and science fiction and utopia and dystopia and weirdness, so I think it’s going to be a blast.
I’ve already put the following books on hold at the library:
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy.
Ordinary Magic by Caitlin Rubino-Bradway.
The Second Spy by Jacqueline West.
Sword Mountain by Nancy Yi Fan.
More suggestions? Nominations open October 1st at the Cybils blog, but I see no reason why you can’t tell me the titles of books you’re planning to nominate for Middle Grade Science Fiction and Fantasy (or the books you think will get nominated by someone). That way I can get a head start on all that luscious reading about other (imaginary) times and places.
What are your favorite middle grade science fiction and fantasy books published since last October 16, 2011?
I haven?t read either of these but both were loved by my 8 year old fantasy and adventure loving son. Both are books I want to read myself but he reads too darn fast for me to keep up.
Tuesdays at the Castle
Horton?s Miraculous Mechanisms
I’ve been meaning to pop in and offer my congratulations to you, too, Sherry! Thanks for the comment on my announcement!
I’m not a huge reader of fantasy or sci fi, but I have to second Alice’s recommendation of Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms. It was published first in England, I understand, but came out here in 2012. Here’s my review: