2022 Cybils Award Winners & Honor Books

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Poetry Collections

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2021

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

By Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renée Watson, Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator)

A student uncovers her family's hidden past, revealing a legacy of resilience and hope from 1619.

Cybils Award (2022)

48 pages

4.7/5 Goodreads · 4,987 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: A young student, tasked with tracing her family tree, discovers her ancestors' journey from Africa to America in 1619. Guided by her grandmother, she learns of their stolen past and enduring spirit. Through powerful verse, she uncovers how they survived, planting dreams and hope, forging new words for love and home. This lyrical tale invites readers to reflect on the roots of American identity and the strength of Black resistance.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Fiction Picture Books

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Knight Owl

By Christopher Denise · Knight Owl series

A young owl dreams of becoming a knight and embarks on a journey to achieve his goal.

Caldecott Honor (2023)Cybils Award (2022)

48 pages· 462 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 12,259 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Owl, a determined knight, may be small, but his sharp instincts are vital as knights mysteriously vanish. During his watch, a terrifying intruder challenges him. Can Owl's cleverness and courage protect the castle from danger? In a world where size often dictates strength, Owl's wit and heart might just redefine heroism. As he confronts a hungry dragon, the stakes are high, and the outcome uncertain. Will Owl's bravery and friendship be enough to triumph over this formidable foe? Discover a tale where intelligence and humor shine brighter than any sword.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Board Books

Sale price

$1248

Picture Book · Ages 2–4 · 2022

Look Twice

By Giuliano Ferri

Discover hidden surprises as animals transform with each page turn.

Cybils Award (2022)

32 pages

3.4/5 Goodreads · 29 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In this interactive board book, each page reveals a delightful surprise. A lion cub hides among flowers, bees chase a pig, and mice sneak past a cat. What mysterious creature awaits at the end? Children will be captivated as they uncover hidden animals and scenes, encouraging them to look closely and think creatively. This playful journey promises endless fun and discovery with every turn of the page.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Invisible

By Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Gabriela Epstein (Illustrator)

Five students must unite for community service, revealing secrets and unexpected bonds.

Cybils Award (2022)

208 pages· 8,188 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 7,909 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Five students—George, Sara, Dayara, Nico, and Miguel—are forced into community service, convinced they have nothing in common. As they confront their own secrets, they must decide if they can unite to help someone in need. Will they remain invisible or embrace unexpected friendships? Discover how these diverse kids navigate middle school challenges in a story of identity and belonging.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Middle Grade Fiction

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2022

Freewater

By Amina Luqman-Dawson

Two siblings escape slavery, finding refuge in a hidden community threatened by outside dangers.

Newbery Medal (2023)Coretta Scott King Award (2023)Cybils Award (2022)

416 pages· 76,356 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,744 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Twelve-year-old Homer and his sister Ada escape a plantation, leaving their mother behind. In the swamp, they discover Freewater, a hidden community of former slaves. As Homer makes new friends, he learns of a looming threat to their sanctuary. Torn between rescuing his mother and protecting Freewater, Homer must devise a daring plan. Will he save his new home and reunite his family? This tale of courage and survival explores the resilience of those who seek freedom against all odds.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2022

Choosing Brave

By Angela Joy, Janelle Washington (Illustrator)

A mother's grief ignites a civil rights movement.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2023)Caldecott Honor (2023)Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2023)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2023)Cybils Award (2022)Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2023)Orbis Pictus Honor (2023)

64 pages· 1,767 words· Est. 15 min read

4.7/5 Goodreads · 1,115 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Mamie Till-Mobley, devastated by her son Emmett's brutal murder, transforms her sorrow into a powerful force for justice. Her courage and determination bring Emmett's story to the forefront, challenging a nation to confront its conscience. How does one woman's love and resilience spark a movement that changes history?

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Easy Readers

Sale price

$574

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Reina Ramos Works It Out

By Emma Otheguy · Reina Ramos series

Reina's costume plans are dashed. Can she find a new inspiration before the class wax museum?

Cybils Award (2022)

32 pages· 484 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

3.9/5 Goodreads · 104 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Reina Ramos is thrilled to portray Frida Kahlo at the class wax museum, inspired by her strong family ties. But when her friend Nora claims Frida first, Reina faces a dilemma. With her perfect headband ready, who will she choose now? As Reina navigates this challenge, she learns about friendship and creativity. Will she find a new icon to embody, or will her plans unravel? Join Reina on a journey of discovery, sprinkled with Spanish words and cultural insights, as she works it out in this engaging tale for young readers.

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2022

The Mirrorwood

By Deva Fagan

A faceless girl battles a cursed forest to uncover the truth and break her curse.

Cybils Award (2022)

304 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 406 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Faceless and cursed, Fable must steal others' faces to survive, making her an outcast. Pursued by Blighthunter Vycorax, she flees into the perilous Mirrorwood, a forest ruled by a demon-prince. With her feline companion, Moth, Fable encounters a chatty skull, meddlesome deities, and a reality-tearing beast. In this enchanted realm, nothing is as it seems, and Fable's only hope to break her curse and discover her true self lies within its thorny depths. Can she unravel the forest's secrets before it's too late?

2022 Cybils Award Winner · Young Adult Fiction

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2022

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

By Jen Ferguson

A Métis girl faces family secrets and threats to her ice-cream shack.

Cybils Award (2022)Stonewall Book Award – Children's & Young Adult Literature Honor (2023)

374 pages· 90,639 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,444 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Lou's summer is tangled with confusion as she works at her family's ice-cream shack alongside her ex-boyfriend and former best friend, King, who has mysteriously returned. When a letter from her imprisoned father arrives, Lou is forced to confront a past she hoped to leave behind. As her family's business faces an uncertain future, Lou must decide whether to face her father or let the past remain buried. Can she find sweetness amidst the bitterness of truth, or will her father's shadow consume her? Discover the strength of young Native heroes in this compelling tale.

The 2022 Cybils Award

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

Knight Owl

Look Twice

Invisible

Freewater

Choosing Brave

Reina Ramos Works It Out

The Mirrorwood

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

Cybils Award Winners by Year

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Book Store

Schools

Book Platform

Authors & Illustrators

Follow Bookroo