Finding a good boy's book is always a challenge. Kathleen Odean offers some sage advice in this quick reference work, arranged by age divisions, and by genre within age ranges. It offers good descriptions of plot, illustrations and tone of writing. Non-fiction and poetry are included along with fiction. Recommendations of related titles or comparisons to other works would be a bonus, but these are small oversights in an otherwise terrific package that covers a lot of ground. Resources for parents are also listed.

Although girls are usually less of a "hard sell" in their book choices, it is always great to find the right book for the right person. Like the above title, this work covers ages 2-14. It is divided into chapters by age range, and sub-divided by genre. O'Dean provides good annotations giving some idea of writing style, and type of illustrations (if any) as well as plot details. Non-fiction and poetry are included. Resources for parents are also given. No mention is made of related titles - otherwise, excellent.

This is more of a browser's item than a quick reference guide, but the Canadian content is really worthwhile. Many lists are given at the end of the book, including CBC Morningside book choices, Canadian award winners, and international award recipients. Annotations do not appear with the lists. The front sections of the book are arranged (roughly) by theme or genre, with recommendations from well-known Canadians. Readers will find good advice on selecting gift books, or "keepers", for kids.

This substantial reference work successfully uses the same format as the adult selection helper "What Do I Read Next?" for grades kindergarten to 5. Only fiction is included. Review sources are indicated. Annotations are limited to plot details but plot summaries are given for other books by the same author and books by other writers.

Here, the same format as "What Do I Read Next?" is applied to grades 6 to 12. The title only covers fiction. Review sources are indicated. Annotations do not go beyond plot details, however as above, plot summaries are also given for other books by same author and books by other writers.

Here's a handy guide for helping kids who know what they like. Volz includes "good reads" in a variety of genres and themes, along with titles appearing in series. Unusually, she also covers some paperback series - while they may not be great literature, they are very popular with kids who like to spend time with the same cast of characters again and again. Some Canadian and international titles are included and materials range from picture books to novels suitable for teen readers.

IN THE ADULT CIRCULATING COLLECTION:

This is a classic title, and a highly enjoyable read. Although brief entries for quick reference do appear near the end of the book, the bulk of the work is in narrative chapters around particular themes, with embedded book reviews. Published in 1985, it obviously does not cover more recent titles, but those included have stood the test of time. The selections cover a broad range of ages and include a nice variety of materials published outside the United States. Adult readers may well enjoy perusing this title (and those it recommends) for themselves as well as their children.

This is an earlier edition of the title listed below. The emphasis is not just on choosing quality books for children to read themselves, but on supplementing their individual efforts with richer and more complex choices that adults can read to them. Excellent book choices for reading aloud are suggested with short, but thorough and useful annotations. Entries for each book give age-appropriateness, plot details, tone of work and related books. Recommended titles are intended to take families from preschool to junior high in their read-aloud experiences.

Here is the most recent update on a perennial classic. The second half of the book contains a great list of books suitable for reading aloud for preschool to grade eight audiences. Both poetry and fiction are included. Good annotations give age levels, plot summaries, some notes on style and related books (by the same author, or on the same theme). The opening chapters offer excellent advice for parents on reading to children.

IN THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE:

The creators of this highly selective guide have sought to create a list of the very best books that caring adults can introduce to children, either for read-alouds or independent reading. Preschool to young adult materials are covered, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction and other titles by the same author. The work is divided by age ranges from 0-14 and subdivided by format, genre or theme. The annotations are brief but do offer comments on the flavour of the work. Sequels are noted and suggestions for further reading are offered. A good guide to reading experiences not to be missed.

Readers will find great suggestions for both reluctant and eager teen readers here. Part two contains a unified list of those items selected by the Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) between 1966 and 1993. The "books by author" section gives a plot summary. Highly useful.

This is not a brand-spanking-new book, but a solid source on more lasting works for preschool to grade 6. There are sections for folk and fairy tales, poetry and non-fiction as well as fiction. More detailed annotations are given than in some sources - offering an idea of tone, a sense of illustrations, comparisons to other books, and themes in the "Annotated Read-Aloud Lists" section.