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The article considers the effect of a starred review. Authors, publishers, bookstores, readers and the magazine itself all like and benefit from starred reviews, but few people are sure what they mean. Stars tend to confuse and conflate good as in "a good book" and good as in "a good buy" for a library or bookstore.

The article comments on a number of issue surrounding reader response. The editor assures readers that the magazine takes their opinions seriously. It also notes a number of troubling developments that are the results of book discussions on listservs, namely the lack of in depth analysis and a rejection of printed materials on children's literature.

The article considers the right of the press to ask book award committees about their evaluation procedure. The criteria for prize selection for the Caldecott, Newbery and Sibert awards are ambiguous; many books qualify for multiple awards. The article praises the overlap in prize nominees, saying it helps to establish quality in books.

The author reflects upon the Newbery awards. He discusses the phrase "most distinguished" and believes the phrase is biased at best. The author ponders the impact of a Newbery award on the book and its author. Details are given for the criticism editors face from the Newbery committee if they offer their opinions in their respective magazines and journals about what book titles they would like to see win.