We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger. What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?
I’d like to go in a bit of a different direction with this question. I’ve always read children’s books and children’s fiction. I used to be an elementary school librarian. I’ve read most of the classics, most of the Newbery Medalists, some of them more than once. However, it was my participation in the Cybils Award process for the past four years that gave me the opportunity to read and appreciate lots and lots of the new books that are being published for children. And, wow did I find some unexpected treasures.
My first year (2006) as a Cybils judge I read Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller, and I fell in love with this tale of underground New York and the weirdly powerful girls who save the city from disaster. Even better, Brown Bear Daughter, who was then eleven years old old, loved the book, too.
My second year with Cybils, I was a first round panelist which meant lots more books to read and lots more favorites. A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban, Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata, Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson were all wonderful discoveries. However, my personal favorite from 2007 didn’t even make the finalist list, and I might not have read it had it not been for the Cybils judging: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart. Great and unexpected treasure.
In 2008 and 2009, I was again honored to be a panelist for Middle Grade Fiction. In 2008 I discovered Alvin Ho, a neurotic seven year old from Cambridge MA, fictional creation of author Lenore Look, and The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd, about a young detective and a mysterious disappearance from the famous Wheel in London. Last year Heart of a Shepherd by Roseanne Parry stole my heart, and Leaving the Bellweathers by Kristin Clark Venuti made me and my son laugh together.
I don’t know if I’ll be judging for the Cybils this year or not, but I’m so hooked that I’ll be there on October 1 to nominate my favorites, and I’ll be reading as many of the nominated titles as I can find whether I’m judging or not. Cybils is great place to dig for unexpected treasure.
I like it that you’re hooked on this award! I hope you’ll come across a lot of great new books this year too. And having a blog means…. you’re sharing your finds with everyone else!
This unique category seems to be a wonderful place to search for treasure…thanks for sharing.
Here’s what I wrote today:
http://snowconnections.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/bbaw-unexpected-treasures/
What a honour!
Here is my BBAW: Unexpected Treasure post!
I think I need to pay more attention to Cybils! My toddler sure loves to read!
Wow, sounds like a wonderful experience for you, and a lot of great books. I hope you get chosen as a judge again!
I’ve never heard of the Cybils but this is fantastic! I have a 5 and 7 year old who both love to read and it sounds like the perfect resource for them.
I really enjoyed reading this, Sherry. My secret dream is to be a Cybils judge/panelist/whatever one day myself, but seeing as I have a tough time even locating the newest in children’s lit (without breaking the budget and buying it all myself), I doubt that will ever happen. It’s really neat, though, that the opportunity has afforded you a chance to read lots of things you might otherwise have never picked up.
What a great post! Thank you for supporting the Cybils!
This brought tears to my eyes! I’m always amazed, impressed and grateful at the energy and enthusiasm from our volunteers at Cybils. I can’t thank you enough for all your efforts and I’m so thrilled you’re still a big fan of ours. Thanks so much for all you do and for spreading the word about our contest. For everyone else, please join us this year for nominations when they open to the public on Oct. 1st. You’ll also find links to previous years’ short lists and winners at our site. See you all there!
I’m totally with you! It’s been a great resource for some fabulous books. I can’t wait to see what gets nominated this year!