School Library Journal (SLJ) editor in chief Kathy Ishizuka has announced significant changes in the reviews department.

Shelley Diaz

Shelley Diaz has been named reviews director. Previously reviews editor, the lead position overseeing SLJ reviews, Diaz assumed the role in 2020, after a two-year stint as supervising librarian at BookOps in NYC, where she selected children’s and YA materials for New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. 

Prior to that, Diaz spent eight years at SLJ, beginning as assistant editor for reviews, becoming reviews manager in 2016, where she served in that capacity, managing reviews staff and operations for three years.

“Shelley is a true believer in SLJ’s mission. Her thoughtful, compassionate leadership enables our goal of service to the library community and young readers,” says Ishizuka. Diaz’s accomplishments include high-impact work, from Refreshing the Canon/Defending the Canon, Best Books, and the Stars Issue to overseeing a major upgrade of SLJ’s reviews database.

 Diaz will continue to manage the reviews team and the production of 5,000 reviews per year. In addition to ongoing leadership in developing SLJ’s editorial calendar, her new role will leverage Diaz’s creativity in extending the brand’s content and reach across platforms, working alongside Ishizuka to support partnerships and innovation.

Kimberly Fakih

With her promotion, Kimberly Fakih becomes executive editor, reviews. Previously senior editor, picture books, Fakih started in 2020, filling in for SLJ’s YA reviews editor during a parental leave. Two days later, she stepped into her current role, following Luann Toth’s retirement. 

A former senior editor, children’s books at Kirkus Reviews, Fakih has brought extensive experience to SLJ, where she has expanded picture books coverage and overhauled reviews documentation. Fakih was critical to the publication’s initial dive into remote assigning of reviews during the pandemic.

Much of that work laid the foundation for a new submissions portal, the Virtual Book Room. Fakih has worked closely with Diaz on developing the new reviews database.

“Balancing her long-established kid lit and editing expertise with kindness, fellowship, and a steady hand, Kim continues to be a leader in not only the reviews department, but also the whole magazine,” says Diaz.

In her new position, Fakih is tasked with finding ways to expand SLJ reviews coverage and leverage content to further serve readers. She will also help manage reviews workflow to ensure that SLJ reviews are even more timely and relevant to the marketplace.