Cybils Short Lists: Graphic Novels

 The Short Lists were announced over the weekend. I worked on the graphic novel lists:

YA Books:

Elementary and Middle Grade Books:

You can read blurbs for these books here.

If you want to find out more about the other short lists, check out the Cybils Awards Blog.

These books move on to the second and final round where another panel of judges will read and select the final winners.

Winners will be announced February 14th.

As usual, it's going to be hard to select just one winner. I can't wait to see which books are chosen.

Graphic Novel Review: Curie Society

 

The three new roommates at Edmund University could not be more different. They each have their own field of specialty: biology, technology, and math. While they might not get along and annoy each other - they have the opportunity to become something more.

The three of them receive an invitation, but they must work together to figure out the puzzle. They fail, but failure is a part of life - just like teamwork. The three roommates are invited to join the Curie Society - a secret society that supports female scientists and prevents technology from falling into the wrong hands.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I'm here for the secret society, the feminist sisterhood, and the secrets. I liked meeting the three roommates and watching them attempt to co-exist and then work together. The art was really great too! I really hope they make more volumes to this story because my questions were not all answers - and I want more!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: My library

Reading Challenge: The Cybils Award

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library collections!

Cybils Award Finalists: Picture Books

I was so happy to be on the committee this year. Here are the wonderful books we've chosen for the first round. These books move on to the second round where 1 book will be chosen.

 

Review: Restart

To say Chase isn't the nicest person is a huge understatement; he's downright mean. Or at least he used to be. After falling off the roof and hitting his head, Chase doesn't remember anything. He's not sure why people cower in front of him at school or why his friends act like Neanderthals.

It's not hard to guess that he used to be the biggest bully in school - but he's changed. As Chase navigates the halls of middle school, he becomes interested in things besides football, which he can't play due to his head injury. He joins the video club, under protest of some of the members.

Chase's new actions gain him new friends but leave his old friends feeling neglected. Could this be a permanent change?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the premise. I liked the story told from perspectives of Chase and those he bullied. I liked watching Chase and Mr. Solway build a relationship. I really liked Chase's interactions with others from his friends to victims of his past bullying. I felt the other characters were brave and trusting. I don't know if I could be that trusting. The ending seems a tiny bit unrealistic, but it was a nice touch. I hated Chase's downfall, but enjoyed him struggle past it. Another hit for Gordon Korman.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Read for: Cybils' short list

Library Recommendation: A must have for all public and school libraries.

Review: Refugee

Three different kids.

One mission in common: ESCAPE.

Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world.

Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety and freedom in America.

Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe.

All three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers–from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. (summary from the publisher)

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved the short chapters; they kept me turning the pages quickly along with the cliff hanger endings. While the stories were dark and sometimes hard to read, the characters did remain hopeful. It's a fantastic book for discussion. Even though the stories ranged over a significant time period, they are relevant more than ever. I loved the ending and how the stories tied together. 

Cover Thoughts: Well done
Source: My library
Read for: Middle Grade Cybils Award

Library Recommendation: This one should be in all the school and public libraries.

Review: The Living

Shy's happy to work on a cruise ship, earning much needed money until a man jumps overboard. Shy tried to save him, but it was no use.

On his next week shift, the weather turns deadly. An earthquake hits the west coast. As the ship heads to Hawaii, tsunamis endanger everyone. When they hit, the ship goes down.

Now Shy's fighting for this life as he attempts to reach land with little water, no food, and burning under the heat of the sun. Shy doesn't want to die, but if he has to die then he wants to figure out why people are so interested in the conversation he had with the man who jumped to his death.

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, although I will think twice about going on a cruise. I loved the layers of this story. I loved the connections between the passengers. I loved the camaraderie amongst the crew. From friendship to almost romance in a little over a week, these friendships were cemented with tight bonds over their work and similarities.  

The class distinction and the boat reminded me immediately of the Titanic. As the boat sank, it struck me how much the world hasn't changed in over 100 years.  Everyone struggled to get off the boat - feat, entitlement, and the desire for survival made people react.

I loved how the plot twisted and turned. At first, I thought it was about the suicide of the man, then about survival, and then about the dangers of the plague. Lots of danger, lots of action, and lots of fast turning pages. I can't wait to read what happens next to these characters.

Cover Thoughts: This is the paperback version, but both are great
Source: My Library
Fun Fact: Read this as a judge for the Cybil Awards

Final Thoughts: Not only a great book that kept me turning the pages, but the depth of this book makes it perfect for book discussions too.