SLJ Reviews

Our 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many pages and words that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, the editors have highlighted some of the words that ring rung true and have reverberated in hearts and minds.

As we closed out 2025, many books rose to the top, including lots of manga and new offerings from middle grade favorites Gordon Korman and Sara Pennypacker.

Kimmel creates a brand-new tale that feels ancient and wise; Kurpiel finds so much more in these mighty giants.

Awarded biennially, the awards honor the best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. For this year, books needed to have been published between October 1, 2023, and September 31, 2025.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and Honors recipients.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards.

The finalists of the YALSA's Excellence in Nonfiction Award were announced in December 2025. Here are SLJ's reviews of the winner and finalists.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Schneider Family Book Award and Honor winners.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2026 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Coretta Scott King Medal and Honor winners.