CYBILS: MY SECOND TOUR OF DUTY

I'm so excited to be serving again as a judge for CYBILS, this time in round 2. Thanks to all the amazing CYBILS folks, including Jone, who give so tirelessly to be sure good books receive the attention they deserve.

Here's the fabulous folks who will be joining me:

Linda Baie, Teacher Dance
http://teacherdance.org
@LBaieMatt Esenwine, Radio, Rhythm, and Rhyme
http://mattforrest.wordpress.com 
@mattforrestvwRenee La Tulippe, No Water River
http://www.nowaterriver.com
@ReneeMLaTulippeJulie Larios, The Drift Record
http://julielarios.blogspot.comAnd here are the Round 1 judges, who will be winnowing the list of nominees to just 5-7 titles:
Ed deCaria, Think, Kid, Think!
http://www.thinkkidthink.com
@edecariaKelly Fineman, Writing and Ruminating
http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com 
@kellyfinemanJone MacCulloch, Check It Out
http://maclibrary.wordpress.com
@JoneMac53Anastasia Suen, Poet! Poet!
http://asuen.com/poetry
@asuen1Sylvia Vardell, Poetry for Children
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com
@SylviaVardelApril Halprin Wayland, Teaching Authors
http://teachingauthors.com@aprilhwaylandBridget Wilson, What is Bridget Reading?
http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com
@bridgetwilsonYay, and congratulations to all!!
Serving as a round 1 judge was one of my favorite things of 2012. I loved reading and discussing the books, and you know, I really learned a lot about what makes an award-winning poetry book. Consistency in voice! Fun! Unique! Quality on every page! I was pretty definite about which books I considered my top titles. But to winnow that list to just one winner... yikes!
One of the difficulties I have in considering books for awards is a dislike for direct comparison. I mean, how do you compare a book of poems for the very young like IN THE SEA by David Elliot to a book of poems for teens like LIES, KNIVES AND GIRLS IN RED DRESSES by Ron Koertge?


Tastes and favorites are so individual... I look forward to the challenge 2013 titles will present. I've already got a few favorites I hope will turn up on the Finalists list. We'll see.

Congratulations again to all the nominees and 2012 Poetry winner Laura Purdie Salas's BOOKSPEAK! Be sure to nominate your favorite title when nominations open in October!