Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2010 Best Children's Books: Fiction with Great Boy Characters


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Cover art for A WHOLE NOTHER STORY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2010

"Great fun. (Fiction. 11-13)"
Three children and their inventor dad on the run from government agents, international superspies AND corporate baddies are finally forced to take a stand in this picaresque debut. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRAGONBREATH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2010
by Ursula Vernon, illustrated by Ursula Vernon

"Stay tuned. (Fantasy. 8-11)"
"Vague notions of heroism entered his mind, and then paused, confused by their surroundings." Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DREAMER
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2010
by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Peter Sís

"A brief selection of Neruda's poems (in translation), a bibliography and an author's note enrich an inviting and already splendid, beautifully presented work. (Historical fiction. 9-13)"
Ryan's fictional evocation of the boy who would become Pablo Neruda is rich, resonant and enchanting. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2010
by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Tom Angleberger

"A skewed amalgam of Wayside Stories and Wimpy Kid that is sure to please fans of both. (Origami Yoda instructions) (Fiction. 8-12)"
Sixth grader Tommy has a dilemma: He doesn't know whether to trust the advice of Origami Yoda, who dispenses wisdom from his perch on the finger of mega-nerd Dwight. Read full book review >
Cover art for ONCE
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2010

"A resonant shot to the heart—Gleitzman delivers a sharp sense of what it must have been like to be a child during the Holocaust, forced to grow up far too quickly. (Historical fiction. 12 & up)"
When his Jewish parents place young Felix in an orphanage in war-torn Poland, they tell him that they must leave to fix their book business. Read full book review >
Cover art for JUSTIN CASE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2010
by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

"Absolutely marvelous. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Third grader Justin Case gets this nickname thanks to his amazing ability to worry about everything. Read full book review >
Cover art for CRUNCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2010

"Charming and original. (Fiction. 10-14)"
Readers are thrust immediately into the trials and tribulations of 14-year-old Dewey Mariss and his family. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WATER SEEKER
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 11, 2010

Holt infuses the American pioneer landscape with a hint of magical realism in this intimate and epic coming-of-age tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SHADOW HUNT
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2010

"Never telling and always showing, this spooky yet utterly grounded story features pitch-perfect prose, suspense and redemption. (Historical fantasy. 10-14)"
Langrish blends medieval Catholicism and old folk beliefs seamlessly with the supernatural. Read full book review >
Cover art for SPACEHEADZ
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 22, 2010

"You will be SPHDZ! (Multi-platform science fiction. 7-12)"
P.S. 858 fifth grader Michael K. had hoped for a normal first day in his new school, but what he gets is crazy-weird. Read full book review >
Cover art for GHOSTOPOLIS
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2010
by Doug TenNapel, illustrated by Doug TenNapel

"Creepy details, quick quips and a wry, deadpan (pun absolutely intended) humor are sure to delight. (Graphic fiction. 9-12)"
As an agent for the Supernatural Immigration Task Force, it is Frank Gallows's job to catch ghosts on Earth and send them back to the afterlife. Read full book review >
Cover art for HEART OF A SAMURAI
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2010
by Margi Preus, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

"The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy, by Rhoda Blumberg (2001). (historical note, extensive glossary, bibliography.) (Historical fiction. 9-13)"
In 1841, 14-year-old Manjiro joined four others on an overnight fishing trip. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FANTASTIC SECRET OF OWEN JESTER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 31, 2010

"O'Connor has spun a lovely read that perfectly captures the schemes and plans of school-age kids in the long days of summer. (Fiction. 8-11)"
"The short, sad life of Tooley Graham was over," doesn't sound like a happy conclusion but is pitch perfect in this short, simple and endearing middle-grade novel that follows on the heels of The Small Adeventure of Popeye and Elvis (2009). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CROWFIELD CURSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"Understatedly tender and mystical yet solid; it ends in temporary peace, with sequel potential. (daily abbey schedule, glossary) (Historical fantasy. 9-12)"
In 1347 at a country monastery, a wondrous mystery unfolds. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE UNSINKABLE WALKER BEAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
by Aaron Renier, illustrated by Aaron Renier

Anyone who has said that pirates are an overused motif in youth literature has not yet met Walker Bean. Read full book review >
Cover art for CURSE OF THE WERE-WIENER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
by Ursula Vernon, illustrated by Ursula Vernon

"Stay tuned. (Graphic hybrid fantasy. 8-11)"
School lunch bites—literally—in the third impossibly droll escapade featuring dragonling Danny Dragonbreath and his peace-loving iguana buddy, Wendell. Read full book review >
Cover art for REX ZERO, THE GREAT PRETENDER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 26, 2010

"Genuinely wholesome, packed with affectionate humor, tension and joy. (Historical fiction. 9-12)"
After a childhood spent moving constantly across two countries, Rex wonders why his parents can't settle down. Read full book review >