SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Fusenews
  • Reviews
  • Librarian Previews
  • Best Books
    • Top 100
    • Best Books of 2022
    • Best Books of 2021
    • Best Books of 2020
    • Best Books of 2019
    • Best Books of 2018
    • Best Books of 2017
    • Best Books of 2016
    • Best Books of 2015
    • Best Books of 2014
    • Best Books of 2013
  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

Reviews 2020

November 19, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Review of the Day – Waa’aka’: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun by Cindi M. Alvitre, ill. Carly Lake

Artfully rendered and magnificently produced, this creation tale is by turns beautiful and clever. A story told with plenty of thought and consideration.

November 12, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Review of the Day – Mr. Invincible: Local Hero by Pascal Jousselin

Without a doubt, this is one of the most original books I’ve read for kids, teens, adults, you name it, in years. Incroyable? You don’t know the half of it.

November 6, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Review of the Day: King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

I’m late to the party in celebrating this book, but now that I’m here, let’s dance until dawn! This is one book that kids and adults alike will read and never ever forget.

Popular Posts

The Top 100 Children’s Novels Poll (#1-100)

Deconstructing Daniel Tiger or Why Children’s Programming Is Freaking Me Out, Man

Some of the Best Graphic Novels for Kids of 2022 (so far)

And Tango Gets Banned Again? Book Banning Perspectives from Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

Newbery/Caldecott 2023: Spring Prediction Edition!

Fracturing Fairytales Left and Right: A Talk with Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat About Endlessly Ever After

Oh, What a Knight Owl Interview: Talking With Christopher Denise About Tiny Armored Birds

Review of the Day: Kick Push by Frank Morrison

Diwali in February? It’s a Diwali in My New Home Cover Reveal

A History of Toilet Paper: A Cover Reveal and Interview!

Guest Post: Joke Books in the Classroom and Library by Kevin Purdy

Coming Up for Air: A Johnnie Christmas Interview About the One and Only Swim Team

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: I Stink! by Kate & Jim McMullan

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Floyd Cooper Has Died; Children's Literature World in Mourning Again

Not OK? That’s OK. Middle Grade Authors Provide Compassionate Portrayals of Mental Health

SCBWI Announces 2022 Golden Kite Awards

All-Star Lineup Promises Dynamic Discussion at SLJ Day of Dialog

Hilary Beard and Tim Madigan in Conversation on “The Burning” and the Tulsa Race Massacre

More Recent Posts

Review of the Day: Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar, ill. Khoa Le

October 29, 2020 by Betsy Bird

A book that manages that impossible task of combining child friendliness (a kid will want to reread it) with good writing (an ADULT will want to reread it – never a given), and beautiful art.

Review of the Day: The Talk, edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

October 21, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Pitch perfect in tone and content, this is supposedly the book that will help all parents talk to their kids. In truth? This also is the book that will help KIDS talk to their parents. It’s a two-way street and everybody’s driving.

Review of the Day: The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

October 6, 2020 by Betsy Bird

A book that shows in the most eloquent way possible how family trauma lives on, from generation to generation, taking shape, forming us one way or another. The elements that make a great novel for children aren’t difficult to understand. Hanna Alkaf has laid them out for you.

ADVERTISEMENT

Review of the Day: A Thousand No’s by D.J. Corchin, ill. Dan Dougherty

October 1, 2020 by Betsy Bird

If you think the process of creation is sometimes painful and collaborative and ultimately fun, this book is the first that I’ve ever seen to express that idea. You want to get to yes? Then you gotta slog through no.

Review of the Day: I Wish by Toon Tellegen, ill. Ingrid Godon, translated by David Colmer

September 17, 2020 by Betsy Bird

I Wish isn’t going to sit quietly in a category. It’s the kind of book that would rather wander off and make up its own categories, expecting you to follow dutifully behind. And you will, because it is strange and wonderful and ultimately very very memorable. Can many other books out there say half as much?

Review of the Day: Planet Omar – Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian, ill. Nasaya Mafaridik

September 11, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Let’s hand Omar to as many kinds as we can name. Because as far as I’m concerned, funny books that also prove to be smart and socially conscious (not to mention anti-racist) might help us get out of the mess this world is in.

Review of the Day: I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, ill. Sydney Smith

August 27, 2020 by Betsy Bird

Deft poetic language pairs with the resonant watercolors of Sydney Smith to create a book that is more than a memoir and more than conveying a message. This is pain, turned into art, and written for young children. Incomparable.

Read More Posts »

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

ADVERTISEMENT

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • Trending on the SLJ Blog Network

    Teen Librarian Toolbox

    How I WILL PROTECT YOU Fills a Gap in Holocaust Education, a guest post by Danica Davidson

    by Amanda MacGregor

    A Fuse #8 Production

    Coming Up for Air: A Johnnie Christmas Interview About the One and Only Swim Team

    by Betsy Bird

    Heavy Medal

    Doubling the titles: April Heavy Medal Suggestions

    by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

    100 Scope Notes

    One Star Review, Guess Who (#167)

    by Travis Jonker

    Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Age Level
    • Ideas
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2022


    COPYRIGHT © 2022