The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. Semicolon review here.

The Girl Who Could Fly by VIctoria Forrester. Semicolon review here.

Window Boy by Andrea White. Semicolon review here.

The Jumping-Off Place by Marian Hurd McNeely. Semicolon review here.

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff. Semicolon review here.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd. Semicolon review here.

Masterpiece by Elise Broach. I never got around to reviewing this one, but it’s a “masterpiece” in the tradition of Charlotte’s Web, but not quite as literary. The book tells the story of Marvin the Beetle and his eleven year old human friend, James who manage together to foil an attempted art theft and forgery of priceless works by the great artist Albrecht Durer.

Alvin Ho by Lenore Look. Semicolon review here.

The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding. Semicolon review here.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall. The Penderwicks return as lovable and enjoyable as ever.

Forever Rose by Hilary McKay. The Cassons return as quirky and enjoyable as ever. Semicolon review here.

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry. Semicolon review here.

Hard choices. There were so many outstanding books that I had to leave off my list, but these are my favorites.

I will say that all of these except for The Jumping Off Place were Cybils nominees for Middle Grade Fiction, but only three of them are likely to make to the shortlist of finalists that will be announced on January 1st. I liked several books that my fellow committee members didn’t care for, and vice-versa. Maybe you’ll enjoy some of my selections that didn’t make the finalist list.

Melissa’s Book Nut list of Cybils favorites.

2009 ACPL Mock Newbery Nominees.

The Reading Zone: Best of Cybils

All of the Cybils Nominees with links to panelists’ reviews.