First, in non-interweb-related news, I bought plane tickets to NYC for BEA and I just want to squee about it. *Squee!!* Will Betsy still be around? Can we convince her to organize a KidLit Drink Night??? Who else is going to BEA this year?
Well, the Cybils finalists were announced (just in case you were, y'know, under a rock or something). And the lists instantly inspired some debate over at Black-Eyed Susan's. What about recognition for non-historical books about African-Americans? Be sure to check out the comments. To shed some light on the subject, Charlotte looks at the books in her category (Middle Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy) over at Charlotte's Library. Thanks to the Cybils blog for the link.
In other maybe-you-were-under-a-rock news, Katherine Paterson has been named the next Ambassador for Young People's Literature! The torch has been passed.
Award alert! The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan (you might know him as the illustrator of the Newbery-award-winning The Higher Power of Lucky) has won the 2010 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Thanks to Read Roger for the link.
Just in case you need something to do during this cold and snowy month, Betsy has announced the Top 100 Children's Fictional Chapter Books Poll. Put your thinking cap on and weigh in by January 31. This should definitely be interesting...!
Speaking of things to do in January, join the 2010 Comment Challenge, hosted by MotherReader and Lee Wind. Starting TODAY, Pam and Lee challenge you to leave five comments a day for the next 21 days. You'll make new friends! You'll add to the conversation! You'll promote your blog! And hey, you might win a prize.
Also, this weekend is Bloggiesta, hosted by Natasha at Maw Books Blog. If you've got some catching up to go, blog-wise, why not do it in the company of others (and also maybe win prizes!)?
That's all I got for ya this week. Happy surfing!