Hooray! It's the day that all of the shortlists come out! You can head over to the official site, Cybils.com, for the full list, but here's the fantastic group of middle grade fiction that the awesome round one panelists chose.
Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover
HMH Books for Young
Readers
Nominated by Brandy
Painter
Twins JB and Josh Bell both play basketball, but have different styles
on and off the court. JB showboats a little less and concentrates more; Josh is
loud and proud and fond of rap-style poetry. The boys' mother is their school
principal, and their father is a former basketball player who is an at-home dad
because of his ill health, so when JB and Josh have arguments or get in
trouble, they know that their parents will take them to task, but always with
good humor. When their father doesn’t take care of himself, however, sports and
school take a back seat to a family emergency.
Told in free verse that supports Josh’s fondness for rap, Alexander’s
book will appeal to readers who like their sports books short and snappy with a
side helping of serious issues.
Karen Yingling, Ms.
Yingling Reads, http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com
Bajaj, Varsah. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood
Albert Whitman and
Company
Nominated by Flowering
Minds
Abby Spencer is,
almost, your typical 13 year old. She
has great friends, plays the violin, and rolls her eyes when her friend flirts
with the older boy at the yogurt hut. Abby is raised by her single mom in
Houston, Texas. Abby knows that her
father returned to India, but she really wants her father. After a severe allergic reaction Abby’s mom
seeks out her father to see if there are other medical issues. It is then that
Abby and her mother discover that Abby’s father never knew that her mom was
pregnant. They, also, discover that
Abby’s father is a huge Bollywood actor. Thus the adventure begins when Abby
travels to Mumbai to meet her dad.
Abby Spencer Goes to
Bollywood by Varsha Bajaj is a delightful middle grade novel. Ms. Bajaj includes the magic of a famous
Bollywood actor and the harsh reality of the poverty of Mumbai. The reader has the opportunity to see that
Abby is a carefree girl, but struggles with learning how to adapt to different
cultures, both Hindi and that of a wealthy father she has never met
Kyle Kimmal, The Boy
Reader, http://theboyreader.blogspot.com/
Dairman, Tara. All Four Stars
Putnam Juvenile
Nominated by Jenny
Goebel
Gladys Gatsby is a young food critic who loves to
cook just as much as she loves to talk about the foods she tries. Her parents feed her microwaved meals and take
out, completely oblivious to her interests… until a blow torch incident in the
opening chapter threatens to burn up Gladys's dreams along with the kitchen
curtains! When an opportunity to write for a major magazine as a replacement
food critic presents itself, Gladys knows they think she’s an adult but is
convinced she has to take the job to prove herself to her parents.
Dairman manages to create a
perfect balance between almost over-the-top silly scenes and the real-life
concerns of family and fitting in for a middle grade girl chasing her dreams.
The cast of secondary characters contributes to the plot and Gladys's
growth with just the right amount of spice. All Four Stars is a tasty book that
will have readers begging for a second helping.
Deb Marshall, Read,
Write, Tell, www.readwritetell.com
Gephart, Donna. Death By Toilet Paper
Delacorte
Press Books for Young Readers
Nominated
by Cathy Potter
http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/
Death by Toilet Paper is a hilarious novel about a boy who enters
contests in hopes of helping his mom out financially.
Ever since his father died, Ben has taken it upon himself to be the man of the house which hasn't been easy lately. There's the threat of being evicted from their place, the stress of middle school, and the surprise of having his grandfather move in with them. He's sure that if he can come up with a clever slogan for Royal-T Bathroom Tissue, the grand prize money will solve their problems.
While addressing serious issues such as the loss of a parent and school bullying, I found Ben's coping skills to be funny and refreshing. Readers will root for him and his money making schemes. Donna Gephart portrays a family who is learning to live with their new realities in honest and heartbreaking but hopeful ways.
Ever since his father died, Ben has taken it upon himself to be the man of the house which hasn't been easy lately. There's the threat of being evicted from their place, the stress of middle school, and the surprise of having his grandfather move in with them. He's sure that if he can come up with a clever slogan for Royal-T Bathroom Tissue, the grand prize money will solve their problems.
While addressing serious issues such as the loss of a parent and school bullying, I found Ben's coping skills to be funny and refreshing. Readers will root for him and his money making schemes. Donna Gephart portrays a family who is learning to live with their new realities in honest and heartbreaking but hopeful ways.
Earl Dizon, Chronicles
of a Children’s Book Writer, http://thechroniclesofachildrensbookwriter.wordpress.com
Johnson, Terry
Lynn. Ice Dogs
HMH Books for Young
Readers
Nominated for the
Cybils by Irene Latham,
14-year-old Vicky knows that
the key to winning the White Wolf dog sledding race will be acquiring just the
right team of dogs. But after her dad died during a sledding race, Vicky's mom
is cautious about her competing and even refuses to take her to the dog yard to
find some more race leaders. Vicky waits until her mom leaves and takes off on
her dog sled. Using her dad's knowledge of dog sledding, skills in trapping and
some supplies against the harsh winter conditions, Vicky is confident that she
can find the way on her own, Even with the best laid plans, she didn't
anticipate finding an injured boy involved in a snowmobile accident. Vicky
tries to help him find a path back to safety for some needed medical help. When
they get hopelessly turned around on the trail, Vicky needs to use all of her
skills, experiences and the strength of her beloved dogs to get them home.
Drawing from her own personal
life experiences as a musher, Terry Lynn Johnson has written a compelling
survival story. Ice Dogs appeal comes from immediately immersing the reader in
the gripping details of the cold harsh Alaskan woods, the constant struggle for
their survival and warmth, the reality of needing to find civilization quickly,
and their race against time. The overall strength that Vicky portrays, as well
as the individual personalities of each of her dogs, gave this story instant
appeal.
Brenda Tjaden, Log
Cabin Library, http://www.logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/
Pitchford, Dean. Nickel Bay Nick
Putnam Juvenile
Nominated by Always in
the Middle
Someone has been spreading cheer throughout the depressed town of
Nickel Bay for the past seven years by secretly passing out $100 bills,
but he hasn't been heard from during this Christmas season. Meanwhile, Sam is a
problem child. It's been years since he had his heart transplant, but he's now
hanging out with older kids, vandalizing property, and stealing from stores.
However, he makes a big mistake when he destroys the Christmas decorations of
the old man down the street. It turns out this man in a wheelchair
was once an international spy, and he has collected enough private information
to blackmail Sam. He forces Sam to use his skills as a liar and thief
to sneak into stores and people's pockets, and it causes quite an
uproar. Sam must continue to follow orders, while avoiding the police, or
he'll be taken from his father and sent to a juvenile facility.
This book is a feel-good story. Sam's missions are surprising adventures and share a positive message for readers. Although he seems to be a sassy, self-centered boy, Sam's missions allow his good qualities to shine. The author is able create a sense of mystery surrounding the old man and Sam's travels through the city offer suspense. The book shares a heart-felt tale of adventure and shows the power of giving second chances.
Mark Buxton, Buxton’s
Blog O’Books, http://buxtolicious.blogspot.com/
Sovern, Megan Jean. The Meaning of Maggie
Chronicle Books
Nominated by Compass
Book Ratings
In the 1980s,
eleven-year-old Maggie wants to be president one day. Maggie is engaging
and quirky, and manages to retain her sense of humor and light as she navigates
middle school and family life. There are Science Fair and Student of the Month
titles to defend, Coca-Cola stock to keep an eye on, and her family can't
seem to operate without her. Her family's challenges may increase, especially
has her father's health fails due to his struggles with multiple sclerosis, but
she keeps moving forward, often propelled by her close relationship with her
dad, who also uses his sense of humor to hang on as things fall apart around
him.
The author draws upon her own life to tell Maggie's story,
bringing a real authenticity to Maggie's voice. Anyone whose lives have been
touched by chronic illness will appreciate this story.
Rosemary Kiladitis,
Mom Read It, http://momreadit.wordpress.com
Wonderful list! I am hoping for The Meaning of Maggie, one of those under the radar gems, but the second round judges will have a tough choice!
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