All I’m reading these days is middle grade (grades 3-7-ish) fiction in preparation for the Cybils. So far 106 books have been nominated in the Middle Grade Fiction category, and I’ve read fifteen out of the 106. So I’m at approximately 14%. And the panel I’m a part of has to whittle the list down to five finalists.

I just finished reading two great ones: Clementine’s Letter by Sara Pennypacker and Window Boy by Andrea White (reviews soon). I would really like to read and review all of the books on the list before Christmas since we’re supposed to announce the finalists on January 1, 2009. That’s about ten weeks to read over a hundred books, since nominations don’t close until Wednesday, October 15th. If you haven’t already nominated your favorite children’s and young adult books published in 2008 (before October 15), you have three more days to do it.

FYI, here’s an alphabetical list of books already nominated for Middle Grade Fiction with link to the reviews I’ve already written.

And here are a few freebie middle grade titles that haven’t been nominated yet, but should be. I’ve already used up my one nomination, but you’re free to nominate anytime from now through Wednesday:

Isle of Fire by Thomas Wayne Batson. I haven’t read this sequel to last year’s Isle of Swords, but I’d like to, and I’ll bet it’s as good as or better than the first book in the pirate adventure series.

Sisters of the Sword by Maya Snow. Karate Kid just finished this samurai tale that I checked out of the library, and he loved it. I think he’s planning to write a review here at Semicolon, but he may be too young (age 11) to nominate it for a Cybil.

So, now I’d better quit typing and get to reading. I figure I need to read and review at least ten books per week to even come close to my goal of reading all the nominees. Wish me luck.