Center for Children’s Literature

Center for Children's Literature Blog

The Woman who Split the Atom
Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – February 2023 Pick

“The Woman Who Split the Atom,” a biography about Lise Meitner, tells a fascinating story about discrimination, perseverance, and science. Meitner is most well known for her groundbreaking work on the atomic bomb, and Marissa Moss does a fantastic job at bringing her story to life.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – January 2023 Pick

I liked that the book taught me about water shortages and it also had suspense.The main character was an interesting person and she had many challenges.The book also had an interesting plot. Something that made the plot interesting was that the story was so different from what happens here.

cover of Grumblesquinch
Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – December 2022 Pick

My two younger kids really enjoyed this book. They absolutely loved seeing the hard emotions and outbursts presented in a very relatable, non-judgmental way. (Fighting over seats at the kitchen table is a very real thing over here right now. I could literally see their excitement and relief over reading a book that made them feel ‘seen.’

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – November 2022 Pick

One of my favorite books of the year. This Cold War story exposes the tribulations of living under the Ceaușescu dictatorship in Romania. The historical fiction is relevant in exposing this past history that still plays a part in current global conflict.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – October 2022 Pick

This book touched my heart a lot because it was relatable. It was relatable because I’m a LatinX boy with highly demanding school work, like Marco, and I like playing basketball, like Issac.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – July 2022 Pick

Ana, 12, yearns to leave the Bolivian silver mine where her family works. A mining accident forces her to confront her fears and make dangerous choices.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – June 2022 Pick

In 1967 when Ariel Goldberg’s Jewish parents oppose her big sister Leah’s plan to marry a man from India, the older girl disappears.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – May 2022 Pick

Two Korean-American teens, each trying to balance family duty with their own ambitions, find themselves in a hostile entrepreneurial rivalry, complicated by their mutual attraction.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – February 2022 Pick

I  like this book because it is a mystery, which makes it fun to read. Each page holds a new clue and I never got bored!  The characters were really fun and interesting. Above each chapter, there is an illustration. I like these illustrations because they hold a clue to what the chapter is about, so I look forward to them so I can see if I can figure out what I am going to read.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – January 2022 Pick

I liked the story because the mom is saying pretty things to the baby. If I were the baby, I would feel special because she is saying such nice things to me.

Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – December 2021 Pick

I like how this book tells how trees help other trees survive by sending food through the roots and warning other trees about insects and other dangers. I also like how there are lots of interesting facts at the back of the book. I didn’t know that trees could communicate to each other in a way that we don’t understand. That is very interesting!

Michelle Obama autobiography
Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – November 2021 Pick

In a deeply moving and personal narrative, First Lady and humanitarian Michelle Obama tells of her childhood and her path to the White House and beyond in Becoming. This book, an insightful look into the author’s struggle against prejudice and injustice to become one of the most influential voices of our times, is definitely a must-read.

hear my voice blog post image
Young Reviewers

Children’s Book Committee – October 2021 Pick

This book needs to be read by everyone. This book will walk you through one of the hard realizations in life, and remind you to be grateful for what you have. I loved reading this book, because it made me really think.