Choose a small structure
Invite three parts: what the book is about without major spoilers, one detail the child noticed, and who might enjoy it. They can also explain what did not work for them respectfully. Avoid asking them to imitate an adult critic’s voice or invent certainty about the author’s intentions. A short, specific observation is more useful than a polished paragraph that says only the book was amazing. Keep the child’s own view even when it differs from yours.
Review the audience and requirements
For a school assignment, use the teacher’s instructions and approved submission route. For a public site, check whether the child is eligible to participate and what adult involvement is required. Do not create an adult account in the child’s name to bypass a restriction. Consider keeping the review private or sharing it directly with a known relative instead. The family can enjoy the writing activity without publishing it to a broad audience.
Check before sharing
Read for unnecessary personal details and unintended spoilers. If the review includes an image, inspect the background and confirm the right to use it. Ask the child whether they still want to share with the chosen audience. Explain that a review can be revised privately before submission, and that disagreement from another reader does not require an argument. If you publish through an appropriate adult-managed process, keep the account and moderation responsibilities with the responsible adult rather than treating the child’s writing as consent to every interaction that follows.