Help for Parents
There is no better gift to a child than a book, but it's not always easy to know which books to encourage children to read. To help with ideas, I have listed below some websites that review children's and young adults' books. You should personally research all reviewed and recommended books that interest you to be sure you feel comfortable with the contents before encouraging a child to read a book.
Websites That Provide Book Reviews and Recommend Books
Young Adults Books Central and Kids Books Central
"One of the largest sites targeted towards tween and teen readers"
http://www.yabookscentral.com and http://yabookscentral.com/kbc-home
Books are reviewed and rated by editors and readers.
The Horn Book
"Publications about books for children and young adults"
http://www.hbook.comOffers a guide to children's books, available in print or online for a subscription fee.
School Library Journal
http://schoollibraryjournal.com
"The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens"
Offers a free newsletter subscription; book reviews can be searched by individual book titles and by cumulative title indices categorized by year.
Kirkus Reviews
"The world's toughest book critics"
Critics' picks of children's and teens' books can be found under the Lists tab and reviews of individual titles can be accessed using the search window.
Association for Library Service to Children
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/index.cfm
"The world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children"
This division of the American Library Association publishes lists of award-winning books and recommended books, videos, recordings, and computer software for children (Children's Notable Lists); it also offers a page devoted to Great Websites for Kids.
The Well-Read Child
http://www.wellreadchild.blogspot.com
Jill Tullo's well-organized blog lists reviews of books for children of every age and includes lists of other children's literature blogs and children's publishers.
Children's Literature Network
http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/index.php
Offers reading lists of books recommended by members and categorized by subject matter.
Reading Rockets
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/
"Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle"
Features books recommended by theme, award winners, and holiday buying guides.
See my blog site for more information on where to find good children's books: maggie-lyons.blogspot.com