Children’s Book Committee

Young Reviewers Program

CBC LogoThe Young Reviewers Program welcomes children from toddlers through high school students who read and review books that are currently being considered by the Children’s Book Committee (CBC). Started more than 20 years ago, the program supports the CBC’s longstanding mission to evaluate books for children, parents, librarians, and educators by focusing on how books can affect young readers.

Purpose of Becoming a Young Reviewer

Reviews help the CBC to create our Best Children’s Books of the Year lists and Children’s Book Awards. Some Young Reviewers have been in the program for years and many have highlighted their experience on school and scholarship resumés.

For more information about our program, please email youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu or click the button below to fill out our registration form.

Registration Form Submit a Review Children’s Book Committee

The Children’s Book Committee

Members of the CBC have a wide range of experience in the world of education, writing, and book publishing, but the voices of children through the Young Reviewers Program provide the committee with valuable insights into the literature we read throughout each year. Reviews are shared with committee members at weekly meetings and, at the end of the year, the CBC will consider many criteria when compiling the Best Children’s Books of the Year List, including the thoughts of our Young Reviewers. Excerpts from some reviews are shared on social media and at our awards ceremony in the spring.

Children's Book Committee July Pick

The Lionharts
Author: Mike Lawrence

Two brothers embark on a quest with retired grandparents to save their parents from a mysterious woman. Can they save their family from impending ruin? Naturalistic artwork.

Our Young Reviewer Says:

I liked it because there were multiple plot twists. The illustrations  helped me visualize important parts of the story. For example the mom transforms into a dragon and the drawings helped me form a picture in my mind. The main characters were originally not prepared for battle but then they figured out a plan by coming together. They ended up defeating the villain. It made me understand that being prepared is very important in life. 

–Santino, age 10, Eastchester, NY

Past Monthly Picks