Children’s Book Committee

Young Reviewers Program

The 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 March Pick

Black Girl You Are Atlas

Author: Renée Watson
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes

With various poetic forms, the semi-autobiographical collection celebrates Black girlhood, Black sisterhood, and encourages young people to embrace their future boldly. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations.

Our Young Reviewer Says:

” Renée Watson has achieved something unique through this collection of semi-autobiographical poetry. With strong characterization, Watson has written a powerful ‘herstory.’ Reflecting on the journey of a young person on the margins at the crossroads of gender, class, and race, Watson delivers a powerful piece of American literature. She does it in 81 pages using various poetry forms, including free verse, haiku, tanks, and pantoum.

Black Girl You Are Atlas is an original and distinct work of literary excellence and contribution to American literature for children.  There are parts of this book I would have appreciated at age 7 and others that make more sense to me now at age 15. It is relevant and meaningful in its approach to history and perspective. As my experience expands, so will my ability to apply the material. I think that text like “Be a best friend to yourself” (p.50) calls to kids of every age and everyone who has been one. Read more…

–Quade, age 15, San Diego, CA.

Past Monthly Picks