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 September Pick

Fireworks
Author: Matthew Burgess
Ilustrator: Cátia Chien

On a sweltering Fourth of July, two children explore their neighborhood and attend a spectacular fireworks display after sunset. Rhythmic, alliterative text; dynamic, evocative mixed-media art.

Our Young Reviewer Says:

I liked that the fireworks page opened up. The illustrations are so cool. It’s special because it reminded me of the fireworks I saw from my fire escape. The illustrations make me think of the story when I look at them. The story about all the fireworks helped me enjoy the book. I love fireworks.

Idris, age 6, Elmhurst, NY.

Past Monthly Picks