Message from the ISLM Chairperson, Raman Deep

Dear Librarians, Educators, Teachers, and Young Readers,

Books have a remarkable ability to connect people across geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. A book may be written in one country, read in another, and yet speak to a young reader in a way that feels deeply personal and universal at the same time.

The International Book Review Exchange Project 2026 builds upon this power of reading by giving students an opportunity not only to read and respond to books, but also to share their reading experiences with peers from another part of the world.

A book review is more than a recommendation. It is a student's interpretation of a story, an expression of personal response, and a window into the way a young reader thinks and sees the world. When students exchange reviews internationally, they encounter not only new books and authors, but also different perspectives, reading cultures, interests, and experiences.

I warmly encourage schools and libraries participating in International School Library Month (ISLM) 2026 to make this exchange a meaningful learning experience. Encourage students to read widely, express their ideas thoughtfully, discover literature from other cultures, and listen with curiosity to the perspectives of their international peers.

Whether a review is handwritten and sent across borders or created and exchanged digitally, what matters most is the connection it creates between readers.

Let us use books as bridges—bridges between readers, schools, cultures, and communities.

I invite schools around the world to participate in this year's exchange and help us build a global community of young readers who read widely, think deeply, share generously, and connect meaningfully.

With warm regards,

Raman Deep
Chairperson, International School Library Month (ISLM)