Children’s Book Committee
The Children’s Book Committee (CBC) was founded more than 100 years ago to help parents, teachers, and librarians choose the books that children will find captivating and transforming. Every year it produces comprehensive annotated book lists for children aged infant through 18.
Our Mission
The CBC reviews over 6000 titles each year for accuracy and literary quality and considers their emotional impact on children. It chooses the best 600 books, both fiction and nonfiction, which it lists with annotations according to age and category.
The Children’s Book Committee strives to guide librarians, educators, parents, grandparents, and other interested adults to the best books for children published each year. The list includes more than 600 titles chosen by reviewers for literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.
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Children's Book Committee May Pick
If the world were about to end, how and with whom would you spend your remaining days? Set in Malaysia; a profound, universal exploration of grief and zest for life.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
“At the End of the World by Nadia Mikail beautifully explores the journey of coming to terms with one’s emotions. Aisha, the protagonist, struggles with her emotions after her father dies and her sister leaves home. With the world ending, she’s forced to focus on what’s truly important to her–her family and friends–and sets out on a journey to reconnect with her sister.
Mikail poignantly describes Aisha’s complicated relationship with her feelings and how it impacts her relationships with her family and friends. Aisha’s struggles were written in a way that felt relatable to me, even though my experiences vastly differ from hers. Mikail also wonderfully immersed her readers in Malaysian culture. She made me feel like I was walking through the cities of Malacca and Ipoh and eating all kinds of delicious foods with the characters.
Additionally, the author was able to write a nonlinear timeline that seamlessly flowed in a way that enhanced my understanding of the characters. Ultimately, I loved this book because it honestly described the challenges we face on the path to forgiveness, understanding, and acceptance.”
–Vimala, age 16, Queens, NY.