Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2012 Fall Preview: Children's & Teen


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Cover art for PASSION BLUE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 6, 2012

"A rare, rewarding, sumptuous exploration of artistic passion. (author's note) (Historical fantasy. 12 & up)"
Giulia is bright, curious and a gifted artist, born to a noble father and his humble mistress in 15th-century Renaissance Italy. Now her fate rests with her father's widow, who's sending Giulia to a Padua convent. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CRIMSON CROWN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012

"Simply brilliant. (Fantasy. 12 & up)"
Torture and treasure, treason and trust, and the triumph of true love: All come to fruition in the stirring conclusion to this epic fantasy series. Read full book review >
Cover art for NIGHT OF THE WHITE DEER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 16, 2012
by Jack Bushnell, illustrated by Miguel Co

"A slight magical tale whose illustrations can't quite compensate for the weak story. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Some say the white deer's a star, and others say she's made of spilled milk. Could she be real? Read full book review >
Cover art for BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 10, 2012

"Richly detailed and satisfying. (Adventure. 10-16)"
Seventeen-year-old DJ attempts to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in fulfillment of his grandfather's final wish to have his ashes spread at the summit. Read full book review >
Cover art for PINOCCHIO
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
by Carlo Collodi, illustrated by Fulvio Testa, translated by Geoffrey Brock

"Parents and libraries should welcome this edition, appealing and accessible for 21st-century children. (Fantasy. 8-14)"
An old favorite--the adventures of a wooden puppet whose good heart earns him the right to be a real boy--in a newly illustrated edition of a relatively new translation. Read full book review >
Cover art for BOOT & SHOE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
by Marla Frazee, illustrated by Marla Frazee

"Read unhurried, in a lap, again and again. (Picture book. 4-7) "
This gem about canine siblings goes from peaceful routine to funny mayhem to erroneous bereavement--and relief. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FIRE CHRONICLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012

"Irreverent humor and swashbuckling adventure collide in a fetching fantasy. (Fantasy. 10-14) "
Time travel, an Arctic ice shelf and frivolous elves converge in this second installment of The Books of Beginning. Read full book review >
Cover art for SQUEAK, RUMBLE, WHOMP! WHOMP! WHOMP!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
by Wynton Marsalis, illustrated by Paul Rogers

"Loud and clear, the creators show how tuning into everyday sounds can inspire music. Clap, clap, CLAP! (Picture Book. 3-7)"
Marsalis and Rogers, who collaborated on the scintillating Jazz ABZ (2005), reunite for this sonic celebration for the younger crowd. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY NAME IS PARVANA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"Readers will learn much about the war in Afghanistan even as they cheer on this feisty protagonist. (author's note) (Fiction. 11 & up)"
In a follow-up that turns the Breadwinner Trilogy into a quartet, 15-year-old Parvana is imprisoned and interrogated as a suspected terrorist in Afghanistan. Read full book review >
Cover art for ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"Showalter has created a promising playground for future story installments. (playlist, author Q&A) (Horror/paranormal romance. 12-17)"
Attack of the invisible zombies! Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
retold by Lari Don, illustrated by Célia Chauffrey

"Gorgeously designed and packaged with a CD narrated by Imelda Staunton, this provocative telling is for young lovers of the gothic. (Picture book/fairy tale. 4-8)"
Atmospheric illustrations--lush, dark and mysterious--will lure daring readers into this retelling of a classic tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for ZOMBIE MAKERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"Science writing at its grossest and best, though as the title (not to mention the blood-spattered pages) warns, not for the squeamish. (author's note, glossary, notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)"
Solid (sometimes writhing) proof that the scariest zombie flicks have nothing on Nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRAWING FROM THE CITY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Tejubehan, illustrated by Tejubehan, translated by V. Geetha, Gita Wolf

"A unique offering that presents readers with arresting artwork and a compelling life story. (Art book. 8-14)"
Art and design take center stage in this carefully crafted, elegant, artisanal book. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE RAVEN BOYS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"The magic is entirely pragmatic; the impossible, extraordinarily true. (Fantasy. 13 & up)"
An ancient Welsh king may be buried in the Virginia countryside; three privileged boys hope to disinter him. Read full book review >
Cover art for SILHOUETTE OF A SPARROW
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"This slim tale is a positive breath of fresh air in a market bloated with opportunistic dystopian and paranormal romances. (Historical fiction. 14 & up)"
A sweet, quiet coming-of-age story set in a Prohibition-era lakeside resort. Read full book review >
Cover art for YOU ARE STARDUST
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 15, 2012
by Elin Kelsey, illustrated by Soyeon Kim

"A remarkable achievement. (Picture book. 5-12)"
We are made of earth and water and air and stardust, and we are more related to animals and plants than we ever imagined. Read full book review >
Cover art for BEAR DESPAIR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Gaëtan Dorémus, illustrated by Gaëtan Dorémus

"An imaginative and well-designed chase. (Picture book. 2-6)"
When Bear loses his beloved teddy bear, he will stop at nothing to get him back in this wordless romp. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Aesop, retold by Helen Ward, illustrated by Helen Ward

"A visual stunner. (Picture book. 4-7)"
In this splendid retelling of Aesop's familiar fable, a country mouse leaves his bucolic existence to sample the glitz and glam of the city, only to discover there's absolutely no place like home. Read full book review >
Cover art for THOSE DARN SQUIRRELS FLY SOUTH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

"Hysterical--again. (Picture book. 5-9)"
Birds of a feather (along with a cantankerous gentleman and his pesky squirrels) flock together at this tropical destination. Read full book review >
Cover art for BOMB
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world. (source notes, quotation notes, acknowledgments, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
In late December 1938, German chemist Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, and just a few months later the race to build an atomic bomb was on. Read full book review >