Quick Note About the Rating System
After looking at 2012′s statistics I realized that too many books received a 5 Star rating. That is not to say I erred. But those five stars, which symbolizes an outstanding, brilliant book, were given too freely. I think 5 star ratings are handed out without much thought on some blogs, review sites, and places like Amazon. Kid Lit Reviews is trying to aim higher.
This year the ratings are changing. Five stars will mean less here, but will not hurt an author when a review is published elsewhere. The top rating will be a 6. One extra star for the book that is brilliant in writing and story telling, whether a middle grade novel or a picture book. The system will stand as is, and the sixth star will be added. Getting a six will actually mean something. There will be more about this later.
6 = Brilliant
5 = Above Average, wonderful read
3 – 4 = Average, expected quality for a published book (where most ratings should fall)
2 = Good, but needs work in one or more areas
1 = Poor, should not have been published at this time, needs extensive work
0 = something I have never awarded and never will, the book will simply not be reviewed.
Please keep in mind that the stars are not equivalent across genres. It is more difficult to receive 5 stars for a middle grade chapter book than for a children’s picture book or an early reader. Please also remember, this rating is the opinion of the reviewer at Kid Lit Reviews and of no one else. An opinion. Neither right nor wrong. Please only use this review as a starting point in your decision to read or purchase the title reviewed. Check other sites and look at other works from the same author.
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