The Cybils finalists have been announced!
Here is the list of the finalists in my category, Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction – as always, it was hard to narrow things down, and especially hard this year with so many other things dragging our attention away from the books. Still, digging deep into so many good books was an excellent distraction!
The individual titles below are linked to my own reviews where available, but click above to see a beautiful blurb for each of the books written by my fellow panelists.
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island) by Alex Aster (I nominated this one myself! It’s rare and exciting to have books I nominate make it to this round!)
Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe
In the Red by Christopher Swiedler
Mulan: Before the Sword by Grace Lin
Rival Magic by Deva Fagan
Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall
But as always, there were books that I loved that didn’t make it. Here are some of my other favorites:
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
A Game of Fox and Squirrels by Jenn Reese
The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf
The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake – no review yet, but this book, strongly reminiscent of Frog and Toad for slightly older readers, and with good openings to discuss racism and unconscious bias, was funny and heartwarming, with the potential to make a great read aloud.
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Now I’m off to read a couple of adult fantasy books I had on hand waiting to be read – The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin and Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo. But I definitely want to read some of the finalists in other categories. I’m already partway through teen speculative fiction Legendborn on audio and have graphic novel finalist Class Act on hand as well. So many books!
What are you reading right now?
alibrarymama 
I’m excited to see Eva Evergreen on the list. I’ve heard great things about it and Julie’s a follower of my blog. I read a lot of YA too and right now I’m reading The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Barlett.
I really enjoyed Eva Evergreen! And it’s always exciting to have authors (especially authors you like!) follow your blog! I hope you’re enjoying the Good Girls, too (or probably finished it right now, as I’m getting back to this so slowly!)
Ahh yes it’s very exciting when a book you nominated makes it the shortlist – I always think “Thank goodness, it’s not just me who thought this book was amazing”, haha. I am not reading any MG right now, though I have checked out Ana on the Edge and will probably start it this week.
It is super great, right? I was excited for you that Elatsoe made it in teen – I really want to read it, too.