I really do love all the books we put on the Cybils Finalists list this year.  But is it really surprising that when we’re considering over twelve dozen books  I fall in love with more than seven?  I know we have to keep the shortlist short, but…  Anyway, here are more personal favorites from the Cybils nominees. I have brief notes just on the ones I haven’t yet done full reviews of, with links to full reviews where I have them.

The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor

A Crack in the Sea by H.M. Bouwman

Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

The Shadow Cipher. York #1. By Laura Ruby

Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin – this lyrical fairy tale retelling with the author’s painted illustrations casts its own magic spell.

Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce

The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline Ogburn and Rebecca Green – a rural boy discovers that the family now living in his grandmother’s house is running a magical veterinary service.  It’s a quiet, reflective book, good for third grade and up.

The Wolf Hour by Sara Lewis Holmes – I do love my fairy tales!  This is a subversive mash-up, with unlikely dual heroes learning to step out of their assigned plots.  The audiobook was especially delightful