Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best Books for Children: Exploring the Past (page 2)


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Cover art for THE WATCHER
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 5, 2011
by Jeanette Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter

"Quotes from Jane augment this inspiring book, encouraging young people to join her as dutiful watchers of the world. (author's note) (Picture book/biography. 2-10)"
Economical art and language produce a fully fleshed-out biography of Jane Goodall, tracing her early years as a watcher of English fauna to her adult work as scholar of animal behavior in Africa. Read full book review >
Cover art for OKAY FOR NOW
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 5, 2011

"By the end of this tale, replete with allusions to Our Town, Doug realizes he's pretty happy in Marysville, where holding hands with the green-eyed girl—and a first kiss—rival whatever might be happening on the moon. (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
Cover art for DIEGO RIVERA
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2011
by Duncan Tonatiuh, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

"Both solid introduction and exhortation, this book will thrill budding artists. (glossary, author's note, bibliography, lists of museums and paintings) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

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A simple picture-book biography of Diego Rivera concentrates on his artistic career and encourages children to imagine themselves painting their own world. Read full book review >
Cover art for HIDDEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 10, 2011

"Both tender and insightful, this well-crafted, fast-paced tale should have wide teen appeal. (notes on form) (Poetry. 10-16)"
From the award-winning Frost comes a wildly imaginative, thought-provoking novel in verse that centers on the unlikely friendship that arises between two teenage girls as a result of an accidental kidnapping. Read full book review >
Cover art for ORANI
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 19, 2011
by Claire A. Nivola, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola

"Neither a story with a plot nor a full-blown memoir, this brief look at a town suspended in time resonates with happiness and could spark some children to reflect on their own idyllic summers in a new way. (map, author's note) (Picture book/memoir. 7-10)"
Intriguing pictures full of small details bring alive the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures of a small Sardinian town in the 1950s. Read full book review >
Cover art for EDDIE'S WAR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2011

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In her first outing for children, Saller (The Subversive Copy Editor, 2009) provides a poignant look at boyhood before and during the long years of World War II. Read full book review >