Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children's and Teen: Middle School


Cover art for THE WATCHER IN THE SHADOWS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013
by Chris Moriarty, illustrated by Mark E. Geyer

"Exciting, action-packed and absolutely marvelous. (Fantasy. 10 & up)"
The magic is darker in this intense sequel to The Inquisitor's Apprentice (2011). Read full book review >
Cover art for HANDBOOK FOR DRAGON SLAYERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013

"While suffering from a surfeit of events and ideas, still a truly terrific read. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)"
A delightful middle-grade fantasy falters only in its excess of exuberance. Read full book review >
Cover art for TWERP
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013

"Goldblatt's tale provides a thought-provoking exploration of bullying, personal integrity and self-acceptance. (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
Twelve-year-old Julian is assigned the task of keeping a journal that details the events that led up to his suspension for bullying. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE PIRATE'S COIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013
by Marianne Malone, illustrated by Greg Call

"Dedicated Sixty-Eight Rooms readers will have the patience to sift through, but if newcomers to the series start here, they just might abandon ship. (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Sixth-grade sleuths Jack and Ruthie are no strangers to the magic of the miniature Thorne Rooms, but this time, changing the past may do more harm than good. Read full book review >
Cover art for TOILET PAPER MUMMY
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013
by Michael Rex, illustrated by Michael Rex

"Hits the gross-out sweet spot. (Fiction. 8-12)"
Readers with a soft spot for gross-out humor will find plenty to keep them gagging in Rex's latest novel (Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian, 2012) for the early-middle-grade set. Read full book review >
Cover art for A GATHERING OF WINGS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 28, 2013

"Another horse book with a trite dystopian twist. (cast of characters, glossary; unseen) (Dystopian fantasy. 12 & up)"
The last human must re-enter the wild in order to save her best friends in this meandering sequel in an unremarkable series (Daughter of the Centaurs, 2012). Read full book review >