Services for Children's Librarians

Children's and Young Adult Book Review

The Maine State Library receives almost 3,000 children's and young adult review books from over 75 publishing houses each year. These books form the Maine Examination Collection of Children's and Young Adult Books. Age levels range from preschool through senior high school.

Book Review Database

Visit our new Maine Children's and YA Book Review blog. Older reviews can be found in the archive below.

Monthly Meetings and Schedule

Open to registered reviewers from school and public libraries. Meetings are free of charge and pre-registration is not required.

Meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.

10:00 am - 12:00 Noon

2nd Wednesday of each month -- except April (no meeting)

2023

  • January 11
  • February 8
  • March 8
  • April (no session due to RRU)
  • May 10
  • June 14
  • July 12
  • August 9
  • September 13
  • October 11
  • November 8
  • December 13

Archived Book Review Database

Guidelines for Book Reviewers

What is the Maine Examination Collection?

The Maine Examination Collection was formed to assist librarians in book selection. The Collection is also used to develop the Cream of the Crop Collection, a highlight of the statewide children’s literature conference Reading Round-Up. It includes Maine and New England books, picture books, fiction, non-fiction, professional titles, foreign language books, reprints, and audiovisual materials. Each year about 3,000 hard cover and paperback review copies are received from over 50 publishers.  Age levels range from preschool through senior high school.

Where is the Collection Located?

The Collection is housed at the Maine State Library

Who is Eligible to Use the Collection?

Only librarians who work with children in public or school libraries are eligible. New reviewers must register with Kara Reiman, the Youth Services Specialist @ kara.reiman@maine.gov.

Is it Necessary to Attend the Monthly Book Review Meetings?

Reviewers are expected to attend the meetings regularly to share their reviewed books and to participate in the discussions.