Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2010 Best Children's Books: Nonfiction


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Cover art for THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2010
by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

"A heartwarming tribute to both the writing life in general and the well-loved humorist—oops, sorry Susy… "Pholosopher!" (author's note, how to write a biography, time line, sources) (Picture book/biography. 8-11)"
From 1885 to '86, Mark Twain's 13-year-old daughter Susy Clemens wrote a 130-page biography of her father out of indignation: Her dear Papa was no mere humorist! Read full book review >
Cover art for BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 20, 2010

"A standout book for its thorough research and comprehensive look at the incident that led to the 1964 passage of civil-rights legislation. (further reading, author's note, source notes, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
Brimner focuses on the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and successfully illuminates in chronological order the events, social tensions and political reverberations of that terror-filled time. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE YEAR OF GOODBYES
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 16, 2010

"An immensely powerful experience that needs to be read with an adult. (Poetry/nonfiction. 10 & up)"
Writing for modern readers about the Holocaust is fraught, and when children are the intended audience, the difficulties can be insurmountable. Read full book review >
Cover art for UBIQUITOUS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2010
by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beckie Prange

"Lovely. (glossary) (Picture book/poetry. 8 & up)"
Sidman delights with another gorgeous collection of poems celebrating the natural world, this time focusing on species remarkable for their ability to adapt and thrive in an often-harsh world. Read full book review >
Cover art for SUMMER BIRDS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 27, 2010
by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

"They, too, will imagine themselves growing up to follow their dreams. (historical note) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)"
It's not often that someone is born both a great scientist and a great artist, especially if that someone is a girl in the middle of the 17th century. Read full book review >
Cover art for KAKAPO RESCUE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2010
by Sy Montgomery, photographed by Nic Bishop

"Wonderful. (Scientists in the Field Series) (map, fundraising plug, acknowledgments, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)"
Under the careful supervision of forest rangers and volunteers on an island off the New Zealand coast, the nearly extinct, flightless Kakapo parrot is the object of an intensive rescue effort described by this experienced writer-photographer team. Read full book review >