SLJ Reviews

Share these selections from Hena Khan, Saadia Faruqi, Huda Fahmy, and more in January and all year long.
 

A creepy YA focusing on Edgar Allan Poe's descendant, a nonfiction title honoring Black basketball players, and board book and audiobook offerings appear on the first starred list of 2026.

Contrary to popular belief, SLJ reviews editors read non-children’s books. Every now and then, we’ll dip into some (gasp) adult books, though some of us can’t step out of the kid lit world for long. Here are our favorite books we read this year—and why.

The 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many illustrations and design that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, here are the SLJ book reviews editors' favorite book covers from the 2025 Best Books list. 

YA author Erik J. Brown speaks with SLJ about writing across genres, the value of found family, and the safety in thrillers.

These informational works for kids of all ages shine a light on the many contributions Black icons, such as Zora Neale Hurston, Serena Williams, and Malcolm X, and more, have made on American culture.

Since our July 2025 Stars So Far ­issue, SLJ has starred over 300 additional titles, reviewed in print and online from June through ­December. From board books and ­holiday titles to professional reading and manga, this list highlights must-have ­selections for every collection need.

Blessings are all around in these gentle picture books that exalt sharing and gratitude in a manner accessible to children.