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

Louder than Hunger
Author: John Schu

Our Youth Ambassador and Co-Chair of the 2025 Youth Choice Award says:

Dear Young Reader,
Opening a new book can be turning the page of potential – to learn something new, perhaps stepping into a life view different from your own.  If you read long enough, there is the promise of discovering stories that have the power to leave you changed, for the better. Louder than Hunger by John Schu is one of those books for me. It is a book that explores the power of your mind and the importance of mental health in all aspects of life. I hope you are kind to both yourself and others you meet along your journey. Read more…

–Quade, age 16, San Diego, CA.

Past Monthly Picks