Children’s Book Committee

Young Reviewers Program

The Young Reviewers Program includes children—from toddlers through high school students—who read and review books that are currently being considered by the Children’s Book Committee (CBC) for our Best Children’s Books of the Year list 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 résumés.

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. 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.

For more information about our program, please email youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu.


Children's Book Committee June Pick

Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor's Life
Author: Marilyn Nelson
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown and Company

A gifted sculptor and teacher flourishes during the 1930’s Harlem Renaissance. Free verse, concrete poems. Photographs of sculpture. Back matter, biography.

Our Young Reviewers Says:

“Overall, this was a well written book detailing the life of Augusta Savage through the use of free verse, concrete poems, and photographs of Savage’s art.”

–Sarabeth, age 16, New York, NY.

“I  enjoyed the shifts between poetry and prose, depending on the character the author was writing about. I also enjoyed how the poetry about Savage’s sculptures were coupled with photographs of the sculptures. Read more….”

–Vimala, age 15, Queens, New York, NY.

Past Monthly Picks