cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Check out our interview with Rick Yancey, author of the wildly entertaining YA thriller The 5th Wave.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Children's and Teen: 6 - 8 years old

Cover art for A NEW YEAR'S REUNION
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 27, 2011
A NEW YEAR'S REUNION
by Yu Li-Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Chen-Liang
"Sensitive, restrained--but festive too…with a closing note that China has over 100 million migrant workers, many separated from their families except during the holiday. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Chinese New Year brings a young family joyously but all-too-briefly back together in this poignant import. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHRISTMAS WITH VERA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011
CHRISTMAS WITH VERA
by Marjolein Bastin, illustrated by Marjolein Bastin
"Bastin's greeting cards are popular worldwide, so her adult fans may enjoy incorporating Vera and friends into their holiday reading and decorating, but children may find this book leads to a long winter's nap. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Bastin employs a collection of anthropomorphized animals as characters for this holiday story interspersed with simple craft and decorating ideas. Read full book review >
Cover art for NONNA TELL ME A STORY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
NONNA TELL ME A STORY: LIDIA'S CHRISTMAS KITCHEN
by Lidia Bastianich, illustrated by Laura Logan
"The main story is accessible enough to children, but making the recipes will clearly require an adult's assistance. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 5-8)"
A Christmas reminiscence from the Italian-American cooking-show host. Read full book review >
Cover art for A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS: POP-UP EDITION
by Charles M. Schulz, illustrated by Charles M. Schulz
"It's not as though access to the animated special is limited in these days of DVD and video on demand; why, for the price of this book, you can buy a copy of the real thing and have a little left over. (Pop-up. 4-8)"
This limp adaptation proves that it takes more than pop-up paper sculptures to make a successful film-to-book transition. Read full book review >
Cover art for POCKET'S CHRISTMAS WISH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
POCKET'S CHRISTMAS WISH
by Ann Bonwill, illustrated by Russell Julian
"The soft-focus illustrations are as syrupy as the self-congratulatory text. (Picture book. 3-6)"
When his curiosity is piqued by the sight of a snow angel, a little rabbit traipses through the snowy countryside in search of the meaning of Christmas. Read full book review >
Cover art for 17 CHRISTMASES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 3, 2010
17 CHRISTMASES
by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Michele Noiset
"Endpaper maps show smiling relatives standing in their appropriate locations, though the states are not identified. (Picture book. 5-9)"
An eight-year-old boy narrates this first-person story in lockstep rhyme about his family's cross-country travels to celebrate Christmas with far-flung relatives and friends. Read full book review >