Any critical reviews of basal readers?

Hi,
I have volunteered to help review and pick the textbooks for the reading program at our small parochial school. I have searched on the web, but I cannot find a good list of current reading textbooks used in the schools , or more importantly any reviews of these books by competent reading authorities. I know that we are dealing with many different areas of literacy and different grades, but I am trying to find out the names of some good trade reading series that will flow from one grade to the next. Can anyone help me?
Geraldine

Open Court - by a mile.