1. Booklist
Bill Ott, Editor
Publication of the American Library Association established in 1905 “to
meet an evident need by issuing a current buying list.” The print version is
released semi-monthly except for July and August totaling twenty-two times per
year. The rating system is recommended and starred. Reviews adult books, books for youth, media, and reference books. The writing is geared towards libraries and booksellers and are written by ALA editorial staff with specialities.
Booklist is both online and in print. Online, there are lists of current and past winners and awards such as the Newberry and Printz. The website, however, isn't as user friendly as some of the others. Most searches are the most effective when a title is used as the search criteria which limits browsing. Lists do provide the need-to-know for librarians. The difficulties browsing might be due to the lack of a subscription. In addition to book reviews, there are more in-depth reviews via newsletter. There are also suggested blogs.
Booklist is both online and in print. Online, there are lists of current and past winners and awards such as the Newberry and Printz. The website, however, isn't as user friendly as some of the others. Most searches are the most effective when a title is used as the search criteria which limits browsing. Lists do provide the need-to-know for librarians. The difficulties browsing might be due to the lack of a subscription. In addition to book reviews, there are more in-depth reviews via newsletter. There are also suggested blogs.
2. The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Deborah Stevenson, Editor
First published in 1945 by Frances E. Henne at the Graduate School of
Library and Information Science of the University of Illinois. The Bulletin is
published via John Hopkin’s University Press eleven times per year. Books are
given ratings R*= highly recommended/ R= recommended/ AD= additional
recommendation/ M= marginal. The Bulletin reviews 1,000 of 5,000 children's books and reviews children's books exclusively. The magazine is "dedicated to reviewing the latest children's literature in order to assist librarians and school instructors in their educational mission."(Bulletin)
The website for the Bulletin is simple. There are no search boxes or hyperlinks associated with the books. Surprisingly, the starred title lists do not include descriptive tags. It does include a "blue ribbon" list with basic information such as the age group and one sentence description of the book. Very succinct but probably ideal for somebody that doesn't have much time for anything other than a quick scan. The homepage has archived magazines from 1997-2011 available for subscribers.
3. Horn Book Magazine
The website for the Bulletin is simple. There are no search boxes or hyperlinks associated with the books. Surprisingly, the starred title lists do not include descriptive tags. It does include a "blue ribbon" list with basic information such as the age group and one sentence description of the book. Very succinct but probably ideal for somebody that doesn't have much time for anything other than a quick scan. The homepage has archived magazines from 1997-2011 available for subscribers.
3. Horn Book Magazine
Roger Sutton, Editor
Humbly began in 1924 as a suggested purchase list compiled by Bertha
Mahony Millert and Elinor Whitney Field. Published bimonthly with about 2,000 books a year with ratings from 1-6. Specifically dedicated to children's literature for children and young adults. The magazine offers interesting articles such as one archived from 1965, "Walt Disney Accused: An Interview..." which took on Disney with a statement that his "special genius had little to do with education." Articles today are just as cutting edge taking on contemporary issues and trends in children's literature. Essays by authors and artists are also included.
The book reviews are conducted by a staff specialists onsite with a range of interests and specialties. The writing tends to be well-rounded and critical focusing on the elements of the given book along with looking at how the book might be realistically met by its audience. Generally, the books used for the reviews are usually analyzed more so than summarized.
The website for the Horn Book Magazine is more user-friendly and informative. A personal favorite is the virtual history exhibit. The site also offers award lists, recommendations, reviews of the week, and blogs written by the reviews for those who would like more access to words. Requires subscription.
The book reviews are conducted by a staff specialists onsite with a range of interests and specialties. The writing tends to be well-rounded and critical focusing on the elements of the given book along with looking at how the book might be realistically met by its audience. Generally, the books used for the reviews are usually analyzed more so than summarized.
The website for the Horn Book Magazine is more user-friendly and informative. A personal favorite is the virtual history exhibit. The site also offers award lists, recommendations, reviews of the week, and blogs written by the reviews for those who would like more access to words. Requires subscription.
4. The Kirkus Reviews
Elaine Szewczyk, Editor
Founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893-1980). The magazine is
published semi-monthly. To mark highly rated books, stars are used in addition
to the review to symbolize remarkable merit. Reviews an astounding 5,000 titles per year. It reviews children's books and adult fiction, nonfiction, mystery, science fiction, and translation. Its goal is to provide readers (librarians, newspaper editors, agents, film producers, booksellers, other book related parties) with professional, innovative, impartial descriptive evaluations of forthcoming titles on a timely basis.
Reviews are claimed to be reliable and authoritative written by specialists selected for their knowledge and expertise in a particular field. Discussion includes faults and merits along with how a book compares to the rest of the field. Some reviews are shorter than the Horn Book Magazine. The books selected for reviews are done so for popular appeal or particular merit.
The website for the The Kirkus Reviews stood out amount the five. It was free, extensive, easy to browse, offers lists and blogs written by professionals. Importantly, it was easy to browse by age. In addition, books had links to amazon, barnes and noble, or local booksellers. This might suggest that The Kirkus Reviews are more commercial and serves a more diverse group than the other four selection tools. The print index is available via subscription.
5. School Library Journal
http://www.slj.com
5. School Library Journal
http://www.slj.com
Founded in 1954 as Junior
Libraries after splitting from Library
Journal. Published monthly. Reviews are given stars to demonstrate
particular merit. Published monthly. Reviews mostly children's books also
reviews audios, videos, DVDs, websites, online databases, CD-Roms and more. The reviews are written for school librarians, media specialists and public librarians with a range of topics.
The way that the materials are broken down, since this is a source for school age children, does not really take into account the huge differences between a child who is 6 month versus grade 4 since picture books are grouped with easy readers, early chapter books, and information books. It would seem that the categories: pre-4, 5 and up, and teens are too general. The book reviews, since they are written mostly by librarian tend to avoid discussing faults in the ways that staff (the Kirkus) sometimes do.
The website allows subscribers and non-subscribers open access for issues since 1996 but is more difficult to browse freely.
The way that the materials are broken down, since this is a source for school age children, does not really take into account the huge differences between a child who is 6 month versus grade 4 since picture books are grouped with easy readers, early chapter books, and information books. It would seem that the categories: pre-4, 5 and up, and teens are too general. The book reviews, since they are written mostly by librarian tend to avoid discussing faults in the ways that staff (the Kirkus) sometimes do.
The website allows subscribers and non-subscribers open access for issues since 1996 but is more difficult to browse freely.
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