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Coming Soon: Cybils Season

Fall. It is a time of crisp golden leaves, sweaters, cold-but-not-too-cold air, and, most important, the Cybils begin. What are the Cybils you may ask? Only the most wonderful and fun book award given in all genres and age categories for children's literature.

I've followed the Cybils for several years now. I began by just watching it all unfold, following closely as nominations came in, then the shortlists, and finally the winners. I loved it then. I stuck my toes in the water of actually participating by nominating books. I loved it even more as I watched the process unfold and eagerly waited to see if my nominations made it to the next round. Last year was my first year as Round One panelist. I can not tell you how much fun I had. It was like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. Reading the books, meeting and getting to know some bloggers I didn't already, and discussing our love of books and children's literature together. It was a great experience.

Well if this sounds like fun you are interested in having, the call for judges is coming soon. From August 18-September 5 you can visit the Cybils site where you will be directed toward the form to fill out if you want to volunteer. It is a lot of work and a time commitment, but is well worth it in my opinion. Here is the FAQ page if you are curious or want more information.

Now excuse me while I go try and figure out what posts I will submit with my application. I will only change my mind 100 times between now and Monday.

Comments

Christina said…
I'm curious about applying, but I'm wondering what exactly you need to do then and WHEN it happens. I'm guessing I can't with all the BEA books I have to review. Hmmm.
Brandy said…
The chosen judges are told at the beginning of September. There is a general email that goes out to the judges not chosen shortly after that and the judges are announced on Sept 15.

When you apply there is a portion of the application where you can indicate your preference to be a Round 1 or Round 2 judge.

Round 1 begins October 1 when the nominations start to come in. As a round 1 judge you are given access to a database where you immediately begin marking books as read and start putting ones on hold at your library you still need to read. This round lasts until Christmas. As a first round judge, you are expected to read as many nominated books as you can (or at least enough of them you can comment-DNFing is totally okay). In the days after Christmas your group decides on six books to shortlist and those are announced on New Year's Day.

If you are a Round Two panelist your work starts on New Year's Day when that shortlist is announced. You read all six books and your group decides the winner which is announced on Valentine's Day.

Hope that covers it for you. Let me know if you have other questions.
Christina said…
Oooh okay, that doesn't sound so bad with DNFing being okay. :) Maybe I'll register!

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