The Cybils winners have been announced!

As a reminder, the Cybils is the Children’s and Young Adult Blogger’s Literary Awards. As explained at its website, the Cybils have two purposes; first, recognize children and teen books that “combine the highest literary merit and “kid appeal.”" Second, “foster a sense of community among bloggers who write about children’s and YA literature.”

The full list of 2012 Cybils winners is at the website. Cybils have a variety of topics and age levels; as usual, I’m highlighting the YA titles.

Nonfiction: Bomb: The Race to Build–and Steal–the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon By Steve Sheinkin, Flash Point. From my review: “One nice thing about non-fiction titles: they tell you up front what a book will be about. This is about the invention of the atomic bomb, told through three stories: the scientific journey from the discovery of nuclear fission to the creation of and use of the atomic bomb; the spy story, as various people in different countries provide information on the American program to the USSR; and the military story, as commandos worked behind enemy lines in Nazi held Europe to stop the Nazis from being the first to create an atomic bomb.”

Graphic Novels: Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks, First Second Books

Fantasy & Science Fiction: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Random House Books for Young Readers. From my review: “Seraphina’s world: What is her world, exactly? The book begins just a few weeks after she joins the royal household, but soon it’s learned that this is Seraphina’s first steps outside her family. Seraphina has tried to keep herself away, hidden, at arm’s length from others to protect her secret. She doesn’t always know how to interact with others. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wondered, while reading, if some of Seraphina’s brusqueness was part of her dragon heritage or the result of a deep seated sense of isolation: “I did not understand that I carried loneliness before me on a plate, and that music would be the light illuminating me from behind.” Whatever the reason, she is also a keen observer of people: “He noticed my eyes upon him and ran a hand through his wheaten hair as if to underscore how handsome he was.””

Fiction: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, Amulet

And, a big THANK YOU to the Cybils for being so clear that their logo can be used for posts like this and make it so easy to use them. I wish more awards and lists did this!