🤩 Among The Stars: June Update

It's that time again. For the moment, anyway, our curated starred review spreadsheet is up to date, y'all.

As a reminder, Martha Hickson curate and collate the starred reviews from six trade journals: 

Booklist 

Horn Book

Kirkus

School Library Journal

Publishers Weekly 

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

I realize, of course, that other sites/blogs award stars, too... but these are the journals we've chosen to focus on.

You May Have Noticed...

I'm behind on, well... everything! When I started this project in 2023, I knew it would be time consuming and that I would, inevitably, fall behind. It doesn't help that one of my numerous toxic traits is waaaaaaaaaay underestimating the time I'll need to accomplish any given task. That said, I know people depend on this work, so thanks for being patient - and big thanks to Martha for staying on top of the journals she curates.

The Stars So Far!

Here's the current distribution of 2025 stars so far:

You can take a closer look at all the spreadsheet related data I'm collecting by checking out the tab labeled "statistics" at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

Jennifer's Picks + Takeaways

There are a lot of books I'm excited about right now. But since I focused on YA titles* during my last update, This time around, I've decided to share a few picture books that I'm looking forward to.

Title: This Is Orange: A Field Trip Through Color

Author/Illustrator: Rachel Poliquin and Julie Morstad

Why I'm excited: This gorgeous picture book takes readers on a journey through history featuring my favorite color - orange! Readers are treated to examples from the natural world, famous artworks and cultural festivals that highlight bold and bright examples of our most UNrhymeable hue! This review from SLJ sums up why this book is a must buy for me!

"In a book that is a tour de force through world history, the natural world, and cultural studies, the color orange becomes the focal point for a quick romp through languages, the arts, foods, memorials, flags, and holidays."

Title: I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive

Author/Illustrator: Leslie Barnard Booth and Alexandra Finkelday.

Why I'm excited: I tend to be drawn to books featuring birds - and crows in particular - because they are smart and mysterious little dinosaurs. That said, the spreads I've seen from I Am We are so beautiful and so provocative - dare I say, they are murder! This review from PW helps capture why I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

"Remarkably effective in transforming a murder of crows from a fearsome- to fearful-seeming grouping, the creators also underscore the uniquely effective manner in which the birds work collectively to endure."

Title: Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends

Author/Illustrator: Joyce Sidman and Melissa Sweet

Why I'm excited: Y'all. This is a picture book I didn't know I needed! Featuring 16 poems/letters between unlikely penpals such as a school and one of its bricks, a coat and its button, a kid and their toes. The former teacher/librarian in me can't help but see this book as a potential mentor text for young people exploring voice, perspective, and the myriad ways story connects us. Checkout this review from PW.

"Sweet['s illustrations] respond to these heartfelt messages with signature-style collage images that go beyond special delivery: each one incorporates variations on color, perspective, scale, texture, and typography."

Title: The House Floated

Author/Illustrator: Guojing

Why I'm excited: This is a perfect example of why picture books are for readers of all ages. While young readers of The House Floated will likely feel wrapped in a story that centers human goodness, older readers will be able to spot cautionary metaphors related to climate change and the peril inherent in disconnection. This is the second book by Guojing that I've encountered this year (and the third overall) and I am quickly becoming a massive fan! This review from Kirkus helps capture why this book is so special.

"...the narrative is woven through with an unassailable belief in human goodness, the importance of family and community bonds, and the ineffable beauty of the fleeting world."

Title: We Go Slow

Author/Illustrator: Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker. Atheneum

Why I'm excited: In a world where our worth is often measured by our productivity and the urge to check-off never ending to-do lists can feel overwhelming, this lovely book about a meandering and attentive journey through a bright, bustling neighborhood feels like an important reminder. Water color illustrations help to emphasize the gentle relationship between the child and caregiver in the story. Their travels, which focus on noting and noticing the things around them, provide readers with a beautiful lesson about the power in being present. This review from PW captures why I am very excited about this one!

"Whether viewed as a depiction of mindfulness in practice or the quiet joys of together time, this tender story is a reminder of the importance of being in the world with unhurried attention and open hearts."

*One more thing, y'all.

This update includes 121 starred reviews for books written for readers in grades 8+. Here's something I noticed from reading those reviews: nearly all of them mentioned protagonists aged 17 or older. In fact, I'd wager that at least half of the reviews I recorded featured YA books with protagonists who were between 18-20 years old. All of which begs the question: where are the YA titles for younger teens? Where are the YA titles for HS freshmen or even sophomores??? It certainly feels as though publishing has forgotten that YA stands for YOUNG adult.

I know why this is happening, of course. It's been well document that YA readership is increasingly adult: for example, a 2023 survey reported that approximately 55% of YA readers are over 18, with more than a quarter aged 28 or older. And we know that one of the main engines driving this shift is Booktok. For those of us whose job involves nurturing the reading lives of actual teenagers, this is hugely problematic. But I also recognize that Booktok is largely responsible for why YA lit remains a profitable publishing sector, while sales in other categories continue to dwindle.

As with most things, it's complicated. And I don't have an easy answer. But I do hope that publishing recognizes that booksellers and influencers can't sell books that don't exist. Give us some books for actual teens and we'll do our best to make sure they get into the hands of the readers who need them.

What Did I Miss?

As you might imagine, this project takes a lot of time and it's easy to make mistakes. Martha and I appreciate your help as we do our best to make sure the final product is as accurate as possible. That said, to be clear, we are not taking notes on misspellings, etc., but If, after at least a month**, you notice that we have missed a starred review from one of the journals we curate, please use this form to let us know. 

** Why do we ask you to wait a month? Some reviews appear online before that journal's official issue has been released. Waiting the month helps me avoid duplicating reviews.