Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Available Now (page 5)


Cover art for LINCOLN DREAMT HE DIED
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"Readers who believe dreams are predictive will likely enjoy this book, which is really only saved by the author's talent as a writer. Burstein should drop the dream interpreting and stick to the history of our forefathers."
An acclaimed historian dives headlong into the dreams of some iconic Americans. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOUSEWIFE SUPERSTAR!
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"A feminist sidelight on a region and way of life unfamiliar to a modern American readership."
A biography of Marjorie Bligh, the "grand dame of the [Australian] housekeeping scene." Read full book review >
Cover art for SHAKESPEARE'S PUB
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"Brown's wit and extensive research make this a solid book of history, sociology and literature, as well as a great travel guide."
The centuries-long story of the George Inn, which may not have been Shakespeare's local, but proves fascinating nonetheless. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW TO NEGOTIATE EVERYTHING
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 21, 2013

"Firmly tongue in cheek, but even less sophisticated readers (and parents) should find these elemental suggestions helpful in getting to yes. (Picture book. 6-9, adult)"
Temper tantrums no longer working? "There are very few things in life that you can't get if you ask for them in a rational manner and offer something in return." Read full book review >
Cover art for SUPER HAIR-O AND THE BARBER OF DOOM
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 21, 2013
by John Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco

"This won't answer those many preschool requests for superhero stories, but it does offer a go-with-the-flow bit of imaginative silliness. (Picture book. 3-6)"
A young superhero falls prey to a Samson complex. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LAST GIRL
FICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"So many plots, so few pages to contain them. And Derwent is so irritating that readers may well wish the killer's list had included him."
How far would a daughter go to get her father's attention? Read full book review >
Cover art for MY FATHERS' GHOST IS CLIMBING IN THE RAIN
FICTION
Released: May 21, 2013
by Patricio Pron, translated by Mara Faye Lethem

"The concrete details of Alberto's case resonate more than P.'s abstract spiritual odyssey."
A son returns from self-exile and comes to terms with his father's past, and his own, during the military dictatorship in Argentina; the fifth, largely autobiographical novel and American debut from this Argentine writer. Read full book review >
Cover art for KING OF CUBA
FICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"A clever, well-conceived dual portrait that shows what connects and divides Cubans inside and outside of the island."
Fidel Castro contemplates his legacy at the end of his life while a disgruntled Cuban expat plots to hurry that end along. Read full book review >
Cover art for INTO THE ABYSS
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"A worthy addition to the canon of extreme-survival nonfiction."
White-knuckle account of a terrifying 1984 plane crash in the Canadian wilderness and its improbable reverberations in the lives of four survivors. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOMENT OF BATTLE
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"Will open interesting doors for casual readers and provide plenty of debate fodder for military-history buffs."
How would the world be different if certain critical battles had gone the other way? Two top military historians offer answers. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ANCESTRAL CONTINUUM
NONFICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"A mystical foray into our ancestral shadows--not for nonspiritually inclined readers."
Spiritual counselor and psychic O'Sullivan and journalist Graydon provide guidance toward connecting with the gallery of heroes, villains and everyday folks who comprise our physical, psychological and emotional heritage (and baggage). Read full book review >
Cover art for GOLDEN BOY
FICTION
Released: May 21, 2013

"This lengthy coming-of-age story spliced with "issues" trades on empathy rather than strong storytelling and seems pitched at a younger readership."
Adolescent angst reaches a whole new level after a sexual assault forces intersex Max (who has equal numbers of female and male chromosomes) to rethink his identity. Read full book review >