2014 cybils awards

For the past two years, I’ve participated in the CYBILS award process.  Last year, I helped judge the first round of the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category.  This year I was a final round judge for Young Adult Speculative Fiction.  The other panelists and I read some fantastic novels, and making the final decision was difficult!  

In the end, we selected Matt de la Peña’s The Living.  My fellow panelists and I appreciated its teen appeal, diverse characters and distinctive voice.  Look out for my review of this CYBILS award winner and other finalists in the coming weeks! Check out the full list of winners (all categories) here.

Shy took the summer job to make some money. In a few months on a luxury cruise liner, he'll rake in the tips and be able to help his mom and sister out with the bills. And how bad can it be? Bikinis, free food, maybe even a girl or two—every cruise has different passengers, after all.

But everything changes when the Big One hits. Shy's only weeks out at sea when an earthquake more massive than ever before recorded hits California, and his life is forever changed.

The earthquake is only the first disaster. Suddenly it's a fight to survive for those left living.

Thanks to both first and final round judges for their good taste and good cheer during the process.  If you’d like to learn more about the CYBILS and how you can be involved, be sure to check out www.cybils.com.