Selection Aid Toolkit

School Library Journal is a journal publication for librarians and media specialists of children and teens. It includes materials for grades Pre-K through High School. School Library Journal includes books, apps, audio, DVDs, movies, and music. The print edition of School Library Journal is published monthly. The digital edition gives exclusive web content as well as searchable archives of School Library Journal archives with reviews dating back to 2010. It includes reviews for every category you can imagine. The reviewers for School Library Journal must fill out an application and include information on their educational and professional background, types of books they prefer, and include two writing samples. Each review contains the title, author, ISBN, publication date, number of pages, cost, summary of the book, grade the book is aimed/best for, and the reviewer's verdict on the book. The verdict sums up the overall book and tells the audience who would enjoy reading it.

Goodreads is the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations. Goodreads is owned by Amazon, which is a seller of books and other media. Goodreads includes materials for all ages, from toddler to adult. Goodreads only has books on its site. This site offers reviews for all books. Anyone who is a member of the website can leave a review. Each book record includes the title, author, price, number of pages, ISBN, language of the book being reviewed, series name (if applicable), as well as links to other versions of the book. Each book record also includes a link to Amazon and other stores where the book can be purchased. Each person who leaves a review can choose the number of stars they would give the book between 1 and 5. The overall average star rating for the book is listed. One of my favorite features of Goodreads is that when you browse books by genre, there is a list of the "most read books" for the week. This is a great list to check to see what is currently popular with students.

Kirkus Reviews is a book review magazine that is published on the 1st and 15th of each month. They also have a supplement in November of each year for the "best of" in children's books. Kirkus Reviews also offers digital access in addition to their print magazine. Marc Winkelman is the publisher. Kirkus Reviews includes book reviews for ages 0 through adult. Each book has a review that does not have a byline so the reviewers appear anonymous. Book reviewers are freelanced and hired after submitting their resume and writing samples. Each book review includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), publication date, page count, date the review was posted online, date of the print Kirkus issue, ISBN, and publisher. There is not a final overall rating given.

The Horn Book, Inc. produces a print book review magazine every two months for a total of six times per year. They also offer online digital access to book reviews. Some digital content is available for free, while the latest digital edition of the bimonthly book review magazine requires paid access. The Horn Book, Inc. is published by Media Source Inc., who also owns Junior Library Guild and School Library Journal. The Horn Book, Inc. has books from preschool to young adult age. They review books and audiobooks. Each review includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), the age it is recommended for, publisher, number of pages, ISBN, retail price, and overview of the book. Reviewers are freelance writers and must apply. Reviewers must have thorough knowledge of children's literature, preferred experience working with children or books, and excellent writing skills. According to The Horn Book, Inc.'s website, reviews are "clear and honest, brief and to the point, identifying strengths and weaknesses and rating the books on a scale from 1 to 4, with titles recommended by The Horn Book Magazine receiving the highest ratings 1 (a star symbol) or 2 (a triangle symbol)."

Bookwire is a website published by Bowker. It includes print, ebooks, audiobooks, and more. Bookwire includes books from preschool age to adult. Bookwire appears to only include fiction titles. Customers on the site are able to give a book a rating between one and five stars, but there is no official review of each book. Bookwire can be searched by new releases, featured books, or by subjects that interest you. Each book record contains the title, author, ISBN, publication date, publisher, book format, list price (sometimes listed in USD and sometimes in AUD), a description, and the subjects that the book includes.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards website is published by the American Library Association. According to the website, "The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.". Each year awards for an Author Winner, Illustrator Winner, John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author), John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator), Author Honor Books, and Illustrator Honor Books. This website is updated each year when the new winners are announced. Each book includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), publisher, and a summary of the book. The award winners are chosen by members of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards committee. A final rating is not given.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books is one of the nation’s leading children’s book review journals for school and public librarians. They provide concise summaries and critical evaluations to help librarians find the books they need for their library’s collection. The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books is published by Johns Hopkins University Press. It is published 11 times a year in print, and digital access is also a subscription option. Each review gives you information on the book’s content, reading level, strengths and weaknesses, and quality of format, as well as suggestions for curricular use. Most books are reviewed from publisher’s galley proofs. The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books currently has eight reviewers, an editor, an assistant editor, and an editorial assistant. Each reviewer's education, credentials, and background is listed on the website. The free portion of the website includes a monthly "Big Picture" of a picture book, Stars, the previous years list of Blue Ribbon books, a Guidebook to Gift Books, and Gryphon Award winners. The Big Picture review includes the title, author, illustrator, an in-depth summary of the book, and the publisher. The monthly "Stars" includes the author, titles, publisher, number of pages, ISBN, price, and grades the book is appropriate for. A final rating is not given for each book.

The Midwest Book Review Children's Bookwatch is published completely online by the editor-in-chief, James A. Cox on a monthly basis. The Children's Bookwatch comprises reviews of books, music, games, and DVDs ideal for preschool through young adult readers. Back issues of the publication are available going all the way to January 2005. Each monthly edition includes a table of contents with links to different book subjects such as mystery/suspense, audiobooks, picture books, science, general fiction, etc. Each book includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), publisher, link to the publisher's website, ISBN, price, formats available, and number of pages. A link to the book on Amazon is also included. A summary of each book is provided. All book review columns of the Children's Bookwatch, are written "in-house" by the Midwest Book Review and associates, except for a column called "Story Monsters Ink Shelf". Volunteer reviewers provide the book reviews for that section. An overall rating for each book is not given. While the book reviews are written well, the visual aesthetics of this website could be improved. It is a website with a medium gray background and bold black text. It's not easy on the eyes and could use some visual improvements.

Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, apps, and games. They cover materials for ages 0-17. This resource is updated regularly. Common Sense Media publishes independent ratings and reviews for nearly everything kids want to watch, read, play, and learn. Common Sense Media rates media based on age-appropriateness. They rate books based on eight content categories: 1) educational value, 2) positive messages, 3) positive role models and representations, 4) violence, 5) sex, 6) language, 7) consumerism, and 8) drinking, drugs, & smoking. This way of rating is very informative because it tells you exactly what your students/children will encounter in the book. Each book has the title listed, author, genre, and year published. Common Sense Media gives the recommended minimum age that they believe the material is appropriate for, as well as a 1-5 star overall rating. Each review has a section called, "What Parents Need to Know" which tells you exactly what happens throughout the book so you can judge whether it is appropriate for your children or students. There is also an area where parents and kids can add their own rating as well. Reviewers for Common Sense Media are a group of writers and media professionals with years of experience as both journalists and parents. They have degrees in subjects like journalism and media studies and have worked for book publishers .

Titlewave is produced by Follett, who also sells the materials listed on the site to libraries. They offer materials for grades K-12, as well as young adult, adult, and professional books. They have books, eBooks, and audiovisual materials available on Titlewave. The website is updated regularly with new releases. Each record includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), format, publisher, publication date, ISBN, awards the book has received, price, number of pages, Dewey category, interest level, reading level, as well as a list of topics and categories covered in the book. Titlewave provides an overview of the book from Follett and an overview from the publisher as well. Titlewave also includes full text reviews of the book from other book review websites such as Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal. A final review is not given.

Colours of Us is a website devoted to sharing multicultural books, toys, and clothes for children. The focus is primarily on multicultural and diverse books. Colours of Us has books listed by ethnicity (African, Asian, Hispanic, and Diverse) as well as by age level (Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School). The website also contains links to specific categories of books including mixed race families, racism & discrimination, strong female role models, and kindness & empathy. Each resource lists the title, author, and a short description of the book. A link to the book on Amazon is included, which appears to be an affiliate link. Svenja is the reviewer and owner of the website. She is an adoptive mom living in South Africa with her two adopted African children. A final rating is not given for each book.

The Georgia Children's Book Awards website is published by the University of Georgia College of Education. The website gives two awards annually for picture books and middle grade books. Books are nominated for the awards by teachers, media specialists, and other children's literature enthusiasts from the state of Georgia. The final lists of 20 nominees are selected by a committee of teachers, school media specialists, and public librarians (chaired by a member of the faculty from the Department of Language and Literacy Education). The final lists contain the title of each book, author, publication year, illustrator (if applicable), publisher, and Lexile level (for picture books). A review and overall rating is not given for each book. However, these books are always excellent and teachers and media specialists are encouraged to read as many books with their students during the school year so the students can vote for their favorite books.

Booklist is a book review magazine published by the American Library Association. It incudes two print magazines, an extensive website and database, e-newsletters, webinars, and other resources that support librarians in collection development and readers' advisory. Booklist Online is the web version of the Booklist print magazine. It offers free content to non-subscribers including a Review of the Day (a highlighted review we're featuring), and a generous selection of additional reviews and features written exclusively for Booklist Online. Reviewers for Booklist are contract reviewers, freelance reviewers, journalists, subject specialists, and Booklist editors. Potential reviewers must apply with samples of their work. The website offers book reviews for preschool age through adult. Each book review includes the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), publication date, number of pages, publisher, price, ISBN, grades it is recommended for, and a Booklist review. An overall rating for each book is not given.

The New York Times Children's Book column features reviews of and essays about picture books, middle grade books, and young adult literature. It is published by the New York Times. It includes book reviews for preschool aged to young adult. The website is updated weekly. Each review contains the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), number of pages, price, publisher, and ages the book is recommended for. The reviewers are writers for the New York Times as well as other children's book authors. A review written by another children's book author stands out to me as I am reading reviews so I enjoy this aspect of the New York Times. A final overall rating is not given for each book.

The Children's Book Review publishes reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages, from preschool age to young adult. They include reviews for books, eBooks, audiobooks, and other child/family related products. The website is updated regularly. Each book review contains the title, author, illustrator (if applicable), publisher's synopsis, ages the book is recommended for, publisher, publication date, ISBN, and links to where the book can be purchased. Reviewers are staff at The Children's Book Review. Their website states, "Our reviews and book lists are always positive because we only appraise those books and products with the most substantial potential impact on the reader.". A final overall rating is not given for each book.