PSC Logo

Puget Sound Council

For Reviewing Children's & Young Adult Literature

Connecting readers with quality children's and young adult books through trusted peer reviews.

Welcome

Welcome to the (new & improved!) review management system for the Puget Sound Council. Please access the features of this site via the menu bar above.

If you have questions or comments, cannot locate a book, or need to report an error, please contact pugetsoundcouncil@gmail.com.

For questions about membership, how-tos, and issues that are not site-related, please contact Eve Datisman at datseve@gmail.com.

Schedule of Events

General Meeting Dates: 2026–2027

Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM

Location: Shoreline Conference Center, Professional Library, Building H

Jun

Sat, Jun 6, 2026

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Sep

Sat., Sept. 12, 2026

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Nov

Sat., Nov. 7, 2026

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Jan

Sat., Jan. 9, 2027

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Mar

Sat., Mar. 6, 2027

9:00 - 11:00 AM

May

Sat., May 1, 2027

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Jun

Sat., June 5, 2027

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Reminder:

PSC 2026/27 dues are due January 1, 2027. Oral reviews must be posted by Wednesday 11:59 PM before the meeting.

The Shoreline Conference Center Professional Library is open 7:00 – 4:30 weekdays during the school year. Members are encouraged to drop by and pick up books at your convenience. Please call Tina Marier at 206.393.4225 or email tina.marier@ssd412.org to make sure the room is available.

How to Review Books

Important:

When finished writing a review, make sure you change the "Published" setting to "Yes." Otherwise, it will not be visible to others.

Oral Reviews

Books reviewed at the following meeting. Usually first-time authors, particularly noteworthy books, or discussion-worthy books. Oral books are returned and donated to charities.

Written Reviews

Books not reviewed orally. After reviews are submitted, these books may be added to your library collection.

Steps to Review

  1. Select the books you wish to review. We have a responsibility to review all books sent to us by publishers — please review them in a timely manner.
  2. At the meeting, separate your books into Oral and Written piles.
  3. Use the scanner to enter your choices. Select your name from the dropdown, choose oral or written, and scan the ISBN for each book.
  4. To enter a finished review: Log in, go to Reviews → My Reviews To Do, select a book, fill out the fields, and set "Published" to save.

Rating Scale

R* Highly Recommended. Superior book; should be part of every collection.
R Recommended. Superior in style, liveliness, integrity and format.
AD+ Additional Plus. Good solid book but has some minor flaws.
AD Additional. Satisfactory but will be excelled by other books in its field.
AD- Additional Minus. Mediocre.
M Marginal. Contains many weaknesses; might be considered only as supplementary material or to meet special localized subject needs.
NR Not Recommended. Does not meet library standards in style, content, or design.
NR* Not Recommended*. Appropriate for another kind of collection or different age levels.

Recent Reviews

On cosmic rock : The story of the asteroid that changed our world

by Krossing, Karen (2026)

AD+

Many children know that dinosaurs went extinct with an asteroid hitting earth. However, they may not have thought about other impacts the asteroid had on our planet. With a clear short text and r...

Reviewed by Paula Nov 6, 2026
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade

SPARROW'S EASTER GARDEN

by HUTCHISON, ROGER (2026)

R

Sparrow series, book 2, where Sparrow wants the garden to be beautiful for Easter. His friend, Mousie, helps with clearing old dead plants and leaves while Buck uses his antlers to dig deep into t...

Reviewed by Karen I. Nov 5, 2026
Grades: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade

Hedgehog Who Said, Who Cares?

by Aluma, Neri (2024)

AD

A colorful rhyming story about a hedgehog who doesn’t care if his actions affect others until new friends come to his rescue. While it is great that our hedgehog sees the error of his ways, it prob...

Reviewed by Christina Nov 5, 2026
Grades: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade

SECRETS BENEATH THE WAVES : HOW THE SEAS SHAPE OUR WORLD

by APPLEYARD, CLAIRE (2026)

AD

Secrets Beneath the Waves is part of “The Future of Science Begins Here” series. This would be a good compliment to classroom instruction on the ocean. Topics covered are broad and include the ocea...

Reviewed by Stacy Nov 4, 2026
Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

WOLF'S BELLY

by AUGUST, JOHN (2026)

R

Perhaps the story of Little Red Riding Hood isn't exactly as you've been told. Lu lived with her parents, two brothers and three sisters in a small village. All of them are well-known for their abi...

Reviewed by Teresa Nov 3, 2026
Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

MY DIWALI : LIGHTS OF VIRTUE

by KUMARI, PRIYA (2022)

AD-

While this picture book can help young children understand more about the Diwali holiday, the heavy text and emphasis on a stranger selling candy take away from the narrative. The back matter inclu...

Reviewed by Erin Nov 3, 2026
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade

SERENA WILLIAMS : DEPORTISTAS QUE MARCARON UNA DIFERENCIA

by HOENA, BLAKE (2025)

AD+

This book is part of the Graphic Universe "Athletes Who Made a Difference" series. This book is the Spanish version. This series has short, focused biographies about famous athletes in graphic form...

Reviewed by Erin Nov 2, 2026
Grades: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade

THE HARROW HOME FOR WAYWARD GIRLS

by SPOTSWOOD, JESSICA (2026)

R

A gothic historical thriller set in 1947 at a former home for unwed pregnant girls that is being converted into a luxury hotel. When Grace Harrow and Rose Thorpe, the daughter of the new owner, beg...

Reviewed by Eve Oct 31, 2026
Grades: 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Sloth & Moth: A better together friendship

by Taylor, Heather (2026)

R*

Sloth and Moth: A Better-Together Friendship is a lovely picture book about two creatures whose relationship is inspired by a symbiotic connection in nature. When their different needs put a strain...

Reviewed by Deborah Oct 29, 2026
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade

I AM SPEEDY : CONFESSIONS OF A TURBO-CHARGED SLOTH

by TRACY, KRISTEN (2026)

R

Did you know that sloths are covered in algae? Or that they can rotate their head 270 degrees like an owl? You’ll learn those facts and more in this laugh-out-loud adventure where Sloth tries us to...

Reviewed by Jill Oct 24, 2026
Grades: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade