I've been so busy reading that I neglected to post the last installment of my Cybils reading list, which includes middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction.  That's precisely what I've been reading, too; in advance of the Newbery and other ALA award winners which will be announced on Monday.  There is some overlap, although the criteria for the Cybils (literary merit and kid appeal) and the Newbery (most distinguished contribution to American literature for children) are significantly different.

Here's what I've read or am reading as part of my Cybils reading plan:

Middle grade fiction.  I nominated Masterpiece by Elise Broach in this category.  It's my favorite middle grade book of last year (and not only because I won an autographed copy from Amanda at A Patchwork of Books).  Of the actual finalists, I had already read The London Eye Mystery (on the strength of Jen's review) and Shooting the Moon.  Since January 1, I've also read Alvin Ho.  Of the three, I like The London Eye Mystery best, the setting and the narrator, Ted, whose "brain runs on a different operating system than most people's."

Young adult fiction.  Young adult is too old for me.  I haven't read any of the finalists in this category yet, although I've recently read some other YA books like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the National Book Award winner What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, and I've got John Green's Paper Towns on my nightstand (does that count?).  Taking recommendations for this category; I'm growing into it.

Nonfiction.  Since January 1, I read The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir by Cylin and John Busby (also on the strength of Jen's review!).  And I looked at Ben Boos's Swords: An Artist's Devotion in the National Gallery gift shop (does that count?).  I'd like to read both King George: What Was His Problem? by Steve Sheinkin and Lincoln Through the Lens by Martin Sandler, although that may not happen before February 14.

That's it!  Now back to possible Newberys.  I'll post that list tomorrow.