Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best Books for Children: Exploring the Past


Cover art for BLIZZARD OF GLASS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 22, 2011

"Riveting. (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
A terrible explosion devastated Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a neighboring town in 1917, causing local residents and others miles away to act heroically in response to an unprecedented catastrophe. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FREEDOM MAZE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 15, 2011

"Multilayered, compassionate and thought-provoking, a timely read on the sesquicentennial of America's Civil War. (Historical fantasy. 12 & up)"
It's 1960, but on the decayed Fairchild sugar plantation in rural Louisiana, vestiges of a grimmer past remain--the old cottage, overgrown garden maze, relations between white and black races. Read full book review >
Cover art for <i>TITANIC</i> SINKS!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 10, 2011

"This is history at its best, an original and appealing way to mark the centennial of this familiar disaster. (author's note, source notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction.10-14)"
A memorial edition of an imagined magazine covers the construction and fateful voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, Queen of the Ocean, which sank in April 1912. Read full book review >
Cover art for SECRETS AT SEA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 13, 2011
by Richard Peck, illustrated by Kelly Murphy

"Sheer delight. (final art not seen) (Animal fantasy. 8-12)"
Problem novels, ghost stories, historical fiction--is there anything Newbery Medalist Peck cannot do? Apparently not. Read full book review >
Cover art for AROUND THE WORLD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 11, 2011
by Matt Phelan, illustrated by Matt Phelan

"Three true tales of adventure as grand and admirable in the telling as they were in the doing. (Graphic nonfiction. 10-13)"
With uncommon perception and a flair for visual drama, Phelan tracks three intrepid souls' solo journeys around the world. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE INQUISITOR'S APPRENTICE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 3, 2011
by Chris Moriarty, illustrated by Mark Edward Geyer

"A marvelous, mystical romp that doesn't ignore reality. A hint of a possible sequel whets readers' appetite for more: Yes, please! (author's note) (Fantasy. 12 & up)"
Thirteen-year-old Sacha lives in New York City's Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century. Or does he? Read full book review >