Reviews+

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. 

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.

With the latest offerings from Kate DiCamillo, Atinuke, and Cynthia Rylant, humor abounds in these transitional books.

This list features new outings from Katherine Applegate, Jeanne Birdsall, Ann Brashares, Rebecca Stead, and Jason Reynolds and Tiffany D. Jackson’s middle grade debut. 

These stellar works range from high-octane thrillers and charming rom-coms to stirring historical novels and sweeping romantasies.

From a queer retelling of Anne Green Gables to the latest Dogman, these graphic novels belong in every collection.