Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best Books for Teens: The Complete List (page 2)


Cover art for VIRTUOSITY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 18, 2011

"Former child violin prodigy Martinez brings this overwrought world to tense, quivering life and guides readers through it confidently. A brilliant debut. (Fiction. 14 & up)"
Grammy-winning, world-touring violinist Carmen Bianchi, 17, has outgrown child-prodigy status. To transition to an adult career as a virtuoso soloist, she must win the Guarneri Competition. If she loses, she'll be just another former prodigy. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SCORPIO RACES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 18, 2011

"Like nothing else out there now. (Fantasy. 13-18)"
The bestselling author of Shiver (2009) and Linger (2010) turns the legend of the water horse into a taut, chilling, romantic adventure. Read full book review >
Cover art for UNDER THE MESQUITE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011

"A promising, deeply felt debut. (Spanish glossary) (Verse fiction. 12 & up)"
A resilient Mexican-American girl copes with familial obligation and loss in this free-verse novel. Read full book review >
Cover art for ASHFALL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011

"In this chilling debut, Mullin seamlessly weaves meticulous details about science, geography, agriculture and slaughter into his prose, creating a fully immersive and internally consistent world scarily close to reality. (author's note) (Speculative fiction. 14 & up)"
"The pre-Friday world of school, cell phones, and refrigerators dissolved into this post-Friday world of ash, darkness, and hunger." Read full book review >
Cover art for LIFE: AN EXPLODED DIAGRAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011

"Sophisticated teens and adults will appreciate this subtle yet powerful exposition of the far-reaching implications of war. (Fiction. 14 & up) "
A coming-of-age story framed by some of the most terrifying events of the last 60 years, from World War II to 9/11. Read full book review >
Cover art for I.M. PEI:  ARCHITECT OF TIME, PLACE, AND PURPOSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011

"An exquisite package, much like one of Pei's buildings. (timeline, bibliography, source notes, index, suggestions for further reading, listings of building projects, awards) (Nonfiction. 12 & up) "
This lively blend of narrative and detailed design is a perfect way to introduce the architectural vision of I.M. Pei to young readers. Read full book review >