Cybils Announced!

The 2006 Cybils (Children's and YA Bloggers' Literary Awards) winners have been announced!

I was a judge in the Middle Grade Fiction category, and we had five fabulous books to read. The book we chose as our winner is a true gem. Unique premise, memorable characters, great storyline. We all fell in love with it from the very first sentence: "On the morning of the best day of her life, Maud Flynn was locked in the outhouse, singing 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic.'" Of course I'm talking about A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR: A MELODRAMA by Laura Amy Schlitz. Congratulations to Ms. Schlitz!!! This is a truly wonderful book. The win is well-deserved.

Here's a list of the winners in all the categories:

Middle Grade Fiction:
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Candlewick Press

Young Adult Fiction:
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Knopf Books for Young Readers

Fantasy and Science Fiction:
Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3)
Jonathan Stroud
Hyperion: Miramax

Fiction Picture Books:
Scaredy Squirrel
by Melanie Watt
Kid’s Can Press

Graphic Novels - Ages 12 and Under:
Amelia Rules! Volume 3: Superheroes
by Jim Gownley
Renaissance Press

Graphic Novels - Ages 13 and Up:
American Born Chinese
Gene Yang
First Second

Non-Fiction, Middle Grade and Young Adult:
Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
by Russell Freedman
Holiday House

Non-Fiction Picture Books:
An Egg Is Quiet
written by Dianna Aston; illustrated by Sylvia Long
Chronicle Books

Poetry:
Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow
written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
Houghton Mifflin

Congratulations to all the winners! And happy reading, everyone!