Nominations open on October 1 for the Cybil Awards, children’s and young adult literature awards given by blogger readers. And I get the privilege of being on the panel for judging the first round of nominees for Middle Grade Fiction. I can hardly wait to see which books are nominated and to start reading.
The other panelist judges for Middle Grade Fiction are:
Panelists (Round I judges)
Sarah Mulhern at The Reading Zone. Sarah’s a teacher, and I get the idea here that she has a passion for helping her students connect with books. I think we’ll connect, too.
Alysa Stewart at Everead. Alysa’s a new mom, and she has the cutest little boy. She blogs with Laura at Everead.
Mary R. Voors at ACPL Mock Newbery. Mary’s blog is brought to you by the Children’s Services department of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mary’s a librarian, and it looks as if the rest of us will be trying to play catch-up since she’s already been reading all the possible Newbery books for 2009 (published in 2008). I can hardly wait to start the race.
Sherry Early at Semicolon.
Kim Baccellia. Kim is a mom and a writer, author of Earrings of Ixtumea, a Young Adult novel. I haven’t read her book, but I guess it’s time to find a copy and see what my fellow judge brings to the table. From the looks of her blog and her website, she’ll be bringing an author’s sensitivity and point of view, not a bad ingredient for the mix.
Melissa Fox of Book Nut. Melissa says her only qualifications for judging the Cybils are that she’s a mom and a reader. I’d say those jobs entail some fine skills, especially since they happen to be my skills, too. According to her blog, Melissa has four daughters and an avid love of reading. And she likes Tolkien and Jane Austen. I think we’re kindred spirits.
Matthew Wigdahl at The Book Club Shelf. Matt’s blog specializes in evaluating children’s books in terms of suitability for children’s book clubs. It’s a good idea and well-executed. And I think it’ll be good to have a guy on the panel as long as he doesn’t feel too outnumbered. Oh, and Matt’s a teacher. too.
Two teachers. At least four moms. One homeschool teacher. One librarian. One former librarian. One author. One guy. Seven readers.
Lots and lots and lots of books to read and talk about and evaluate and choose. It sounds like a recipe for a fun fall. Oh, and by the way, my kids will be helping me to read and assess the nominees. Maybe the rest of you can get some kid-help, too.
Again, I can’t wait to begin. Yeah for Cybils!
I’m so excited to be part of the grand 2008 Cybils endeavor! What fun!! Can wait to see what books we’ll be reading.
Sherry I am so flattered! I love it when people call my baby the cutest. I feel like I’m in good company, too. On the subject of teachers, I just graduated with a BS in Elementary Education, but I’m sticking home with the baby for now and that gives me time for the Cybils. Can’t wait to work with you!
Thanks for the extra insight into the work of our fellow panelists! Your weblog is brilliant. I was loving the Samuel Johnson quotes the other day. I DO feel a little outnumbered, but mostly in the expertise category! Our panel is amazing, and I anticipate learning a lot as we read our way through the process.
I look forward to working with you, thanks again.
I loved reading your post! it’s going to be fun working with such a group of talented bloggers! I can’t wait to see what books will be nominated!