2023 Cybils Award Winners & Honor Books

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

The Grace of Wild Things

By Heather Fawcett

An orphan's magic leads her to a witch's dangerous deal. Can she master spells before losing everything?

Cybils Award (2023)

368 pages· 81,278 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 6,420 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Grace, an orphan with untapped magic, seeks refuge with a witch who steals souls. To become her apprentice, Grace must master 100½ spells or lose her magic. As an unexpected bond forms, a monster from the witch's past threatens their fragile home. Will Grace's newfound family survive, or will she sacrifice everything to protect it?

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Middle Grade Fiction

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Simon Sort of Says

By Erin Bow

A boy seeks a fresh start in a town where the internet is banned, hoping to escape his past and find new stories to tell.

Newbery Honor (2024)Cybils Award (2023)Schneider Family Book Honor (2024)

320 pages· 70,587 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,059 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Twelve-year-old Simon moves to the internet-free National Quiet Zone, escaping the shadow of surviving a school shooting. Amidst astronomers searching for extraterrestrial life, Simon befriends someone eager to help the scientists. As they embark on a quest to send signals to space, Simon sees a chance to redefine his story. Can he find healing and hope in this unique place, or will his past continue to haunt him? Discover a tale of resilience, humor, and the courage to embrace a new beginning.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Novels in Verse

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

No Matter the Distance

By Cindy Baldwin

A girl with cystic fibrosis must help a lost dolphin find its way home.

Cybils Award (2023)

368 pages· 30,783 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 699 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Penny Rooney, a girl with cystic fibrosis, struggles to find her identity beyond her illness. When she discovers a sick dolphin named Rose in the creek behind her house, an unexpected friendship forms. As Penny's health declines, she faces a heart-wrenching decision: help Rose return to the ocean and risk losing her only friend. Can Penny find the strength to let go and discover her own story? This touching tale of friendship and self-discovery explores the courage it takes to help others while finding oneself.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

A First Time for Everything

By Dan Santat

A class trip to Europe transforms an invisible boy through unexpected firsts.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2023)Cybils Award (2023)Golden Kite Honor (2024)

320 pages· 13,232 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 8,762 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Summary: Dan, a quiet middle schooler, embarks on a European class trip with low expectations. Bullied and feeling invisible, he encounters life-changing firsts—Fanta, fondue, and even love. Will these experiences help him find his voice and change his life forever? Journey through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England in this heartwarming tale of self-discovery and transformation.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Fiction Picture Books

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Big

By Vashti Harrison

A girl navigates growing up and learning to accept herself.

Caldecott Medal (2024)Coretta Scott King Honor (2024)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2023)Cybils Award (2023)Golden Kite Award (2024)

60 pages· 347 words· Est. 6 min read

4.6/5 Goodreads · 5,102 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: In a world that values smallness, a child embarks on a journey to embrace their own size and uniqueness. Through the power of words, they discover how to heal from hurt and find joy in standing out. This tender tale explores the duality of feeling both visible and invisible, offering a heartfelt message about self-acceptance and the beauty of being different. Will they find the courage to love themselves as they are?

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Easy Readers

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 4–6 · 2023

Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends

By Kaz Windness

Can friendship survive when one friend transforms completely?

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor (2024)Cybils Award (2023)

64 pages· 376 words· Est. 9 min read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 626 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Worm and Caterpillar are inseparable, sharing everything in common. But when Caterpillar undergoes a mysterious transformation, returning as Butterfly, their friendship faces a new test. Can their bond withstand such a change, or will they drift apart? This charming tale explores the essence of true friendship and the challenges of embracing change. As Butterfly emerges, Worm must decide if their connection is strong enough to endure. Dive into this delightful story to discover if friendship can truly transcend appearances and transformations.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Elementary Non-Fiction

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

Jumper

By Jessica Lanan

Explore a day in the life of a backyard jumping spider.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2024)Cybils Award (2023)Golden Kite Honor (2024)

48 pages· 448 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 951 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Step into the world of Jumper, a backyard jumping spider, where being as small as a bean means walking on walls, sensing vibrations, and leaping great distances. Discover the vibrant, hidden life of this tiny creature as it navigates its unique challenges and adventures. What secrets does Jumper's world hold?

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

By Nicholas Day, Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

The Mona Lisa vanishes, sparking a mystery that questions its very existence.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2024)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2024)Cybils Award (2023)

288 pages· 40,453 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 7,419 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: In turn-of-the-century Paris, the Mona Lisa disappears from the Louvre, igniting a whirlwind of intrigue. Was it stolen by a gang, a millionaire, or even Picasso? Journey through the city's shadowy alleys and into Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic past to uncover the truth behind the world's most famous painting—a masterpiece that perhaps should never have existed. This thrilling tale blends crime, art, and history, inviting young readers to solve a century-old mystery.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Board Books

Sale price

$858

Board Book · Ages 2–4 · 2023

Whose Prints?

By Kari Allen, Kim Smith (Illustrator)

Discover which animals left tracks in the snowy woods.

Cybils Award (2023)

20 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 139 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Embark on a snowy journey through the woods, where mysterious tracks await discovery. Can you match each unique imprint to the creature that made it? From delicate tiptoes to swift scurries, every track tells a story. Young explorers will delight in uncovering the secrets of the forest, piecing together the puzzle of who walked there before. With each page, the adventure deepens, inviting curious minds to solve the mystery of the snow-covered paths. Who will you find lurking in the winter wonderland?

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Poetry Collections

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2023

Animals in Pants

By Suzy Levinson, Kevin Howdeshell (Illustrator), Kristen Howdeshell (Illustrator)

Discover animals in unexpected pants through whimsical poems.

Cybils Award (2023)

32 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 240 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Dive into a world where animals don unexpected attire! From a dog in yoga pants to a goat in overalls, each page bursts with playful poems and quirky illustrations. Will you spot the yak in slacks? This delightful collection invites readers to imagine the wild and whimsical possibilities of animals in perfectly pressed pants. Get ready for a parade of laughter and surprise as you explore this unique and charming picture book.

2023 Cybils Award Winner · Early Chapter Books

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2023

Henry, Like Always

By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator) · Henry series

Henry faces a week of unexpected changes and challenges in his classroom.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor (2024)Cybils Award (2023)Schneider Family Book Award (2024)

60 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 713 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Henry loves the predictability of Classroom Ten, but this week brings a parade that disrupts his routine. With loud instruments and unexpected changes, Henry must navigate a world that feels too chaotic. As he encounters marker missiles and stomach volcanoes, can Henry find his way through the orange-tinted days? This heartwarming tale offers a glimpse into the life of a child on the autism spectrum, providing comfort and understanding for all school-bound kids. Join Henry in this relatable journey of friendship and self-discovery, perfect for newly independent readers.

The 2023 Cybils Award

The Grace of Wild Things

Simon Sort of Says

No Matter the Distance

A First Time for Everything

Big

Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends

Jumper

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Whose Prints?

Animals in Pants

Henry, Like Always

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