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Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Children's and Teen: 6 - 8 years old

Cover art for HOW TO TRAIN A TRAIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 24, 2013
Kirkus Star HOW TO TRAIN A TRAIN
by Jason Carter Eaton, illustrated by John Rocco
"With believable expressiveness in the characterizations of the trains and a scale perfect for groups, this affectionate sendup communicates all the exasperation, responsibility and rewards of having a pet. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Train and pet enthusiasts alike will delight in this rollicking story about selecting, naming, soothing and caring for a full-sized locomotive. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE REAL BOY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 24, 2013
THE REAL BOY
by Anne Ursu, illustrated by Erin McGuire
"A good pick for fairy-tale fans, especially those battling their own fears. (map) (Fantasy. 8-12)"
An isolated, insecure orphan living in magical Aletheia becomes a "real boy" when his ordered world crumbles and he must rely on himself. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE YEAR OF BILLY MILLER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 17, 2013
Kirkus Star THE YEAR OF BILLY MILLER
by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Kevin Henkes
"Sweetly low-key and totally accessible. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Billy Miller's second-grade year is quietly spectacular in a wonderfully ordinary way. Read full book review >
Cover art for HELLO, MY NAME IS RUBY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 10, 2013
Kirkus Star HELLO, MY NAME IS RUBY
by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Philip C. Stead
"A final encounter helps the heroine and readers comprehend and value the concepts of name and identity--and the blessings that reaching out to a diverse community bestows. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Stead's flora-filled settings and free-spirited style will feel happily familiar to readers of A Home for Bird (2012); the fresh storyline follows the range of reactions to an extroverted personality. Read full book review >
Cover art for DREAM DOG
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 10, 2013
Kirkus Star DREAM DOG
by Lou Berger, illustrated by David Catrow
"This delightful story waffles irresistibly between reality and fantasy, and young readers will find Waffle the dream dog a tasty treat. (Picture book. 4-7)"
The common developmental stage of imaginary friendship is creatively and charmingly addressed in this bittersweet tale of a boy and his dogs--one real and one pretend (or maybe not). Read full book review >
Cover art for FROG TROUBLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 3, 2013
FROG TROUBLE
by Sandra Boynton, illustrated by Sandra Boynton
"This is children's music grown-ups won't mind hearing over and over, no trouble at all. (Songbook/CD. 3 & up)"
For listeners of all ages, Boynton and Michael Ford's latest CD/songbook combination presents 12 new songs in a country-western mode. Read full book review >