Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children's and Teen: Middle School


Cover art for THE ODYSSEY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 1, 2011
by Sam Ita, illustrated by Sam Ita

"Homer himself would be agog. (Pop-up classic. 10-13)"
A highlight-reel version of Odysseus' journey home, framed as a graphic novel and plastered with fantastically dramatic pop-ups and other special effects. Read full book review >
Cover art for YOUR LIFE, BUT BETTER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 12, 2010

"Girls who are eagerly anticipating their teen years will enjoy this breezy, reader-driven tale, however it turns out for them. (Novelty/fiction. 10-13)"
"Choose your own adventure" meets fashion-magazine personality quiz in this lively, light story aimed at young teens. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LITTLE PRINCE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 12, 2009

"Too cool for its own good. (Pop-up/fiction. 10 & up)"
"[E]yes are blind. You have to look with the heart," says the little prince, which makes this pop-up edition of the 1943 classic a bit of an odd duck. Read full book review >
Cover art for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 7, 2008
by Sam Ita, illustrated by Sam Ita

"Still, an undeniably cool and quick introduction to an otherwise stuffy classic. (Pop-up/graphic classic. 10-14)"
Graphic storytelling and pop-up technology combine to deliver a fast-paced, flashy rendition of the Jules Verne classic. Read full book review >
Cover art for A KNIGHT’S CITY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2008

"Nevertheless, good fun for budding medievalists. (index) (Pop-up/nonfiction. 8-12)"
Three pop-up tableaux—of bridge, castle and cathedral—enliven this exploration of life in 1325, which takes the fortunes of one Hugo from page to knight as its loose focus. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS BOOK?
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 1997
by Richard McGuire, illustrated by Richard McGuire

"The illustrations are dandy, with compositions that must be pored over even though they never intertwine with the text; this is a collection of intriguing pictures rather than story carried and complemented by images. (Picture book. 5+)"
 McGuire (What Goes Around Comes Around, 1995, etc.) sweeps out his graphic arts playhouse for a scrapbook of conundrums, collages, and shadow plays. Read full book review >