10 Things I Love About Starred Reviews

[Read: 10 Things I Hate About Starred Reviews]

Recently I wrote an opinion piece, and the counter-arguments began to roll in immediately. Thank you, Mrs. DeWald, high school debate team coach. I really can pick a fight with anyone.

Here's what I love about giving books starred reviews.

[Watch: How Books Get Their Stars]

1. The celebration! From the moment of the assignment to the praise coming in, there is such a thrill in seeing creators take their ideas and nail it, nail it, nail it. 
2. One starred book can boost an author’s profile: with the publisher of the book, with other publishers who may want to compete for a “next” book, and among readers.
3. An idea that once seemed the stuff of heavy text books, like the dissolution of a whale into the ocean’s waves (we're looking at you, Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin), becomes a stunning insight to light up young readers’ minds.
4. As strong books emerge from spring and fall and committees begin to convene and read their eyeballs out, starred books take sharp left turn into a slow-burn competition that quickens into a real horse race.
5. Starred books offer a head’s up about authors who have done dozens of relatively similar books well, but are now delivering something new and fresh; these change the way we readers see the world and the way we think about that author and all of their books, which deserve a second look.
6. When the creator who pours passion into every book has of recent times settled into autopilot/grind ‘em out/factory habits (because the life of the artist is low budget and tough-going till it’s not) not only thinks outside the box but smashes it, we have new hope, all the way to the podium.
7. The debut! We who are tired tired readers who have read it all open the potentially starrable book and say, “What is this? What is unfolding?” It’s a miracle. And sharing a great book by a newcomer—we can say, “oooh look at this!” till we’re hoarse but no one has time—if it has a star, it may signify a wonderful start to a career.
8. Busy educators who would have to throw darts or read thousands of books a year to be able to make purchasing decisions (I know no one throws darts) have a very carefully curated list of starred titles. I stand behind our shopping lists.
9. Even before we were working remote, authors and their readers are often separated by miles. A starred review is a little good-news telegram from our editorial planet to theirs, where they work in isolation on a project that is literal years from finding its public. You’re welcome.
10. The final reason I love starred reviews is because awarding them is just plain nice. It’s a hard and often cruel world, but bestowing a star is still one of the easiest ways to pat an author on the back, expand readers' minds—and make sure our hearts are still beating for books.