Since 2006

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Thursday Edition (9.28.23)

It's an all Book Riot edition. Let's start with the worst, shall we? Ever heard of the Lyttle Lyton contest? It's a contest seeks entries of the opening sentences of the worst novel imaginable. Not real novels, unpublished ones. via @bookriot

The Worst First Lines in Literature: The Lyttle Lytton Contest

The annual Lyttle Lytton Contest celebrates the worst first lines in literature. Here are some of the so-bad-it's-good winners.

A MUST READ. Period. There is A LOT of data to be mined from this survey, especially for those who are seeking to ensure readers have access to all kinds of voices and lived experiences. [via [@BookRiot and @everylibrary]

Here is What Parents Think of Book Bans: EveryLibrary & Book Riot Survey Results

The survey found that most parents think book bans are a "waste of time" and infringe on their parental rights.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Wednesday Edition (9.27.23)

Let's start with the big one (aka the elephant in the room): AI. What interests us most about the agreement in the Hollywood writers' strike are the "landmark rules governing the use of AI in Hollywood projects." The three key points are close to the top.

Hollywood writers' contract deal includes historic AI rules

Writers and producers can agree to use AI on a project — but writers can't be made to use it.

Wonder why kids NEED to see themselves in stories? Look no further than this guest post by Michelle Morweis @ School Library Joural

For some of us, stories can also be a sort of comfort, a thing that shows us we are normal and accepted and valid

Seeing Yourself in a Story, a guest post by Michelle Mohrweis

Stories let us see ourselves doing things and having adventures. They let us imagine ourselves in those places and know that we are valid.

One more. This one is for readers who like ripped-from-the-headlines stories.

9 Book Recommendations Inspired by News Headlines | Book Riot

Ripped from the headlines: these books, from fantasy to true crime, are the perfect matches to recent news headlines.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS: Tuesday Edition (9.26.23)

Yeah, it's been a while ... but the blog cupboard has been pretty bare. Until this morning!

Banned Book Week is coming (starts Saturday). Let the world know you read banned books and/or support libraries who make books available to all readers with a little swag.

WNDB: Banned Books

Banned Books Week is planned for 1-7 October. While you’re looking to your local library and/or bookstore for activities, be sure to get you

If you love a little yin and yang in your reads, then you'll LOVE Sarah Woodruff's collection of books with "things that shouldn't go together."

8 Odd Books That Build to Shockingly Profound Moments

The books in this list have so many odd and beautiful moments, a darkness and lightness that weave together into something fresh and new.

If you're looking for a go-to source for a reader who has her pulse on what readers like (even if she doesn't), subscribe to Ms. Yingling Reads. Exhibit 1: https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2023/09/fantasy-tuesday.html

Let the debates begin: are these books on your "best ever" list for middle-grade speculative fiction?

10 Greatest Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Books - Imagination Soup

Some of the most loved series in children’s books are speculative fiction, including Harry Potter. Why not give your reader speculative fict

[cybilsawards]

Meet Our 2023 CYBILS Awards judges

It’s official! We announced each of the panels on our blog yesterday, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to *squee* levels.

We are welcoming lots of new judges! More than 40% are first-time applicants, and they are on our panels!

Representation is super-duper important to us, and nearly 54% of our judges identify as a person of color, LGBTQIA, neurodiverse, or disabled. Now that we’ve run down the numbers, lets meet the judges:

Speculative Fiction Panels [awarding for Elementary/Middle-Grade and Young Adult]

Realistic Fiction Panels [awarding for Middle-Grade and Young Adult]

Poetry Panels [awarding for Poetry Collections and Novels in Verse]

Nonfiction Panels [Awarding for Elementary, Middle-Grade, and High School]

Graphic Novel Panels [awarding for Elementary/Middle-Grade and Young Adult]

New Reader Panels [awarding for Easy Readers and Early Chapter Books]

Board Books & Fiction Picture Book Panels

Check out the panels for yourself. Didn’t apply this year? Don’t worry, August 2024 will be here before you know it!

[cybilsawards]

Help! The bots are taking over

Can anyone give us tips about the bots/fake accounts/sexpots that are following us?

We are nice people, and we'd like to follow nice REAL people, too.

[cybilsawards]

It's almost time to nominate your favorite books of the year for the 2023 CYBILS Awards. This year, we put our Idea Boards (aka books you think should be nominated) on a special shelf on Goodreads. That way, even if you don't read, let's say board books, you can get a nomination idea from someone who does read them. The Nomination Phase begins 10/1 and lasts through 10/15. That means we have 3 weeks to fill these shelves with ideas for other readers. We'd truly appreciate a share.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Too Hot for September Edition (9.7.23)

Yeah, we're going to whine about the heat ... but then we're going to turn the tables and heat up your bookshelf! So grab the lemonade and let's go.

Before we get to the books, can we talk library? September is National Library Card month! Don't have a card? Check out all the things you can do with a library card. And guess what? It's all FREE.

11 Library Card Perks You've Never Heard Of | Brightly

A library card makes so much available to people of all ages. Check out these little-known library card perks that go way beyond checking ou

Over at @bookriot Tirzah Price says there are more new Young Adult titles than fit in one post, so she narrowed it down to 12 new YA books releasing this month.

New September 2023 YA Releases | Book Riot

Fall is nearly here! And with it comes September YA releases that have everything from fantasy to dark academia.

Devyn has rounded up all of the queer children's literature releasing this month. From picture books to middle-grade stories and graphic novels, it's a lovely list.

New Release Round-Up: Children’s Books with LGBTQIA+ Representation Publishing in September

Hello, book enthusiasts! Curious about what’s new in the world of queer children’s literature? This is your go-to spot for the latest update

With fall comes the spooky season. Mark Fearing (yes, that's his name) explores horror for kids and scare-o-meters over at @teenlibrariantoolbox.

In Defense of Scary Reads, a guest post by Mark Fearing

The imaginative and fantastical landscapes that horror germinates in are great fun. And when done right they are: scary, exciting, revealing

The Children's Book Council has just released a collection of 60 books about Hawai'i. This is one of many CBC Book lists celebrating different cultures, but the timing is exceptional for tying stories into current events.

Of note: This isn't *just* a book list. Teacher guides are also included.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Summer is Over edition

Yep. Here we are. Summer is unofficially over ... though you wouldn't know it from our local temps (high 90s again today). Not a surprise that it's been pretty quiet around the blogosphere, but as folks get back into the fall routine, things will pick up. In the meantime we have a passel of book releases to share.

Edith Campbell has a week-by-week breakdown of what's coming out in September. She includes links to Bookshop.org in case, well, you know ... you need a new read.

September Releases

5 The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes. Scholastic PressDoña Quiote: Rise of the Knight by Rey Terciero, illus, by Monica M. Magaña. Henry Ho

Over at Reading Middle Grade, Afoma Umesi has summaries to go with 20 new MG titles with book birthdays this month. She has links to amazon.com

PS - Be sure to check out Grace Lin's new audiobook

20 New Middle Grade Books Releasing in September 2023

Add to your TBR with these 20 brand new middle grade books releasing in 2023, including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and more.

And last, but definitely not least, we have the Tuesday releases post from our friends at @richincolor. Three exciting YA books? Yes, please.

Have a great week friends, and stay cool!

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Thursday Edition (8.31.23)

August wraps today, folks. Let's send it out with a few newsy items from around the interwebs.

First. THIS. HAS. GOT. TO. STOP. Please support your libraries and librarians. No one should be afraid to go to work. via @bookriot

There Have Been Several Public Library Bomb Threats This Week

Iowa City Public Library, Vernon Area Public Library, and others have been targets of bomb threats this week.

Now some things to lift our spirits ...

Over at Brightly, author Jenny Torres Sanchez shares the story behind her new book With Lots of Love and a family recipe, too.

A Love-Filled Recipe To Connect Generations of Foodies | Brightly

For author Jenny Torres Sanchez, every bite of her Abuelito Ramon’s arroz con leche tastes like love, family, and heritage.

Audrey at @richincolor has three books she wants to make sure you don't miss! So if you need a weekend read, check 'em out.

Last, we have a booklist of our own. I went back into the CYBILS archives (aka the database) and rounded up a collection of stories that have school front and center: friendships, first-day-jitters, new school, the whole she-bang.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Tuesday edition (8.29.23)

Not sure where Monday went, but here we are. Welcome, Tuesday. LOTS of new books to share, some recs from Colby Sharp's 5th graders, and new titles for adults who read for *thrills*

Rich In Color has all of the YA titles by authors of color releasing into the world today. Have to say, most intrigued by ALL YOU HAVE TO DO by Autumn Allen

Not only is Colby Sharp sharing the books that his fifth graders are reading the second day of school, he's also got a tour of his classroom library. Watch or listen, your choice.

Books My 5th Graders Are Reading The Second Day of the School Year by Colby Sharp

We have had the weirdest start to the school year. Our first day was last Wednesday. School was canceled both Thursday and Friday due to ext

We couldn't say it better than Travis Jonkers (aka 100 Scope Notes), so here it is: "In this video, Reynolds discusses Stuntboy, and also shares his thoughts on Literature vs. Literacy, book bans, and what superpower he’d want to have (it’s unexpected and perfect)."

Books on Film: Watch Jason Reynolds on The Today Show

In this video, Reynolds discusses Stuntboy, and also shares his thoughts on Literature vs. Literacy, book bans, and what superpower he'd wan

Over at Ms. Yingling Reads, Karen has six middle-grade fantasies that she says "were all good, and would be a fantastic fit for the right reader." What's the right reader? Karen explains in her mini-reviews.

Lots of Agust fantasy books...

Middle school books, middle grade books, books for tweens, middle school library, middle grade literature

Young adult AND adult thrillers? Yes, please! The Off the Shelf Staff has compiled a collection of 16 new thrillers to take you into fall - and the spooky season!

16 New Thriller Releases We're Excited for This Fall 2023

We’ve curated the most anticipated thriller must-reads of fall 2023, from Stephen King to Tananarive Due, and more!

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Friday Edition (8.25.23)

Opening my feed with @booknutmusings' review of Lasagna Means I Love You, has made me hungry ... for more books! So let's roll. I am not a poet, but I love Poetry Friday. I also didn't know what an Exquisite Corpse poem is, but I do now. It is pretty amazing. See for yourself with this poem by the Poetry Sisters.

Poetry Friday: At a Loss

This month, the Poetry Sisters created an Exquisite Corpse poem. We wrote an original line, then chose a second line from Linda Mitchell’s c

From preschool to middle school, Lee & Low has some great choices for back-to-school reading that give kids the chance to see themselves!

10 Books for Back to School

Here are some diverse books to share with students as you get back into the classroom groove!

... and make time to read them. According to a new study, parents want more time to read with their children. Let's do it!

Most parents want more time reading to young children, study shows

1,000-parent survey also found 33% lack the confidence to read to their child, despite not seeing the activity as a chore

Two recent articles about the BookTok phenomenon suggest that (for the moment) it may be past its peak.

Is the BookTok Reign Letting Up? A New Analysis Suggests That It Might Be

BookTok has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, but has its influence come to an end? A new book sales analysis sheds some light.

Report finds YouTube more popular than TikTok for young book buyers

Despite recent stories about the popularity of BookTok, Neilsen’s survey found more of those aged between 14-25 searched YouTube for new rea

And let's close out the week with a little look ahead to 2024. The folks at Read Your World have revealed the poster for their 2024 Multicultural Children's Book Day event.

Multicultural Children's Book Day 2024 Poster Reveal - Multicultural Children's Book Day

Drumroll, please!!! Our Poster Reveal is here!!! The official Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 poster is courtesy of Rebecca Burgess.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Thursday Edition (8/24.23)

Happy 4 months 'til Christmas Eve! Not ready to go there? We got you covered with some news of the day ...

The headline is only half the story. Good news: it's a short read.

Federal Ruling Says that AI Art Can't Be Copyrighted

A federal ruling upholding the U.S. Copyright Office's finding concerning AI and copyright laws was delivered.

New books in Spanish + headliners for the upcoming LatinX Kidlit Book Festival! Plenty of time to find a new fave before Latine/Hispanic Heritage month begins 9.15.

Support Latine/Hispanic Heritage Month

We have many ways to support creators this Latine/Hispanic Heritage Month, including exciting new titles, an array of books now available in

Over at the Mixed Up Files blog, Susan Koehler has details about the Books for Maui Auction (8/21-8/25). Um ... looking for a unique Christmas gift for a book lover? And, we come full circle!

Books for Maui Auction - From The Mixed Up Files

Books for Maui is an online auction of query critiques, manuscript reviews, author visits, signed books, and more.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Wednesday Edition (8.23.23)

Today we've got something old, something new, and some book-inspired things for kids to do!

Hands up if you were a Stuart Little fan! It was one of the books that made me the bookworm I am. Dana Gaskin Wenig has a lovely review, with some book history, over at Can We Read? [substack]

Rereading Stuart Little

Can we read? No. 111: From guest writer Dana Gaskin Wenig

Rich In Color has some new YA releases. Look at those bright, pumpkin-spicy covers!

Ann-Marie Cahill has a dozen books for kids that encourage them to step away from the screen and head out into the real world.

Kids need to spend time outdoors to build their confidence in the world around them. They need to take risks and stretch that creative thinking. Get their hands dirty (and clean up the mess afterward). All of these factors can encourage their resilience for whatever the future throws at them next.

Have Fun, Play Hard, Get Dirty: 12 Books to Get Kids Outside

Step away from the screens! This short list of books will inspire any kid to get outside and see what the fuss is about.

And one last item for the "I'm too old for picture books" crowd. Afoma has tips and 15 picture book recommendations to remind us that picture books are for everyone.

My Favorite Picture Books for Older Kids - Reading Middle Grade

I'm an adult who's a huge fan of picture books, so I agree with the sentiment that picture books are for everyone. But older kids who are de

[cybilsawards]

It's here! It's here!

The #CYBILS2023 Call for Judges opens today. Everything you need to know is right here.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Monday Edition (8.21.23)

We have an announcement! The 2023 CYBILS Awards Call for Judges is now open!! Everything you need (including the application link) is right here.

On with the show!

Anyone else ever hugged a book? Well, Sara Roncero-Menendez has 10 (!) you may want to consider over at Off the Shelf.

10 Precious Books You'll Want to Hug After Reading

Sometimes you finish a book that means so much to you that you have to hold it close because the characters felt so real and precious.

And if it's Monday, there must be Nonfiction! The Nonfiction Detectives have a round-up with the 11 books for kids released into the world this month.

<center> New Nonfiction- August 2023</center>

  More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long Farrar, Straus and Giroux I

That's it! Have a great Monday.

[cybilsawards]

Finally. A Monday to look forward to!

Wahoo! The Call for Judges begins tomorrow.

[cybilsawards]

The Morning RSS - Sunday Edition (8.20.23)

We've got a few things to go with your cuppa this morning.

Let's start with AI and learning to read.

These tools encourage creativity and inclusivity, revolutionizing the way we approach education in our rapidly advancing digital age.

What think you: Is this a good use of AI?

Using Generative AI to Help Students Learn to Read

A blog to share ideas about innovative, real, and relevant learning.

Rainbow Reads for Kids [formerly Mutually Inclusive] is a must-stop for us! Enjoy this list of queer children's books hitting the shelves this month.

New Release Round-Up: Children’s Books with LGBTQIA+ Representation Publishing in August

Hello, book enthusiasts! Curious about what’s new in the world of queer children’s literature? This is your go-to spot for the latest update