Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Children's Books of 2012: Fiction About Girls


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Cover art for THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 10, 2012

"Deza is one great heroine in her own right, a fitting literary companion to Bud Caldwell. (Historical fiction. 9-12)"
Deza Malone had a brief appearance in Curtis' multiple–award-winning novel, Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2000). Now, she is the dynamic and engaging heroine of her own story. Read full book review >
Cover art for HADES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 31, 2012
by George O'Connor, illustrated by George O'Connor

"An outstanding addition to a first-rate series. (notes, study questions, resource lists) (Graphic mythology. 8-14)"
A tempestuous mother-daughter relationship makes up the centerpiece of O'Connor's latest carefully researched and simultaneously fresh and funny Olympian portrait. Read full book review >
Cover art for WONDER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 14, 2012

"A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder. (Fiction. 8-14)"
After being home-schooled for years, Auggie Pullman is about to start fifth grade, but he's worried: How will he fit into middle school life when he looks so different from everyone else? Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WILD BOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 20, 2012

"A beautiful tale of perseverance. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
A young girl tackles a learning disability and the uncertainty of daily life in early-20th-century Cuba. Read full book review >
Cover art for SADIE AND RATZ
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 27, 2012
by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Ann James

"A real slice of family life, the sweet with the bitter. (Fiction. 5-8)"
Sadie and Ratz, Hannah's menacing hands, help her to handle her sibling rivalry in this piercingly intelligent foray into chapter books by much-awarded teen author Hartnett. Read full book review >
Cover art for SUMMER OF THE GYPSY MOTHS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 24, 2012

"A suspenseful, surprising novel of friendship and family from the creator of the popular Clementine series. (Fiction. 9-12)"
Desperate times call for desperate measures indeed when, one summer afternoon on Cape Cod, 11-year-old Stella finds her sole caretaker, her great-aunt Louise, dead in her chair. Read full book review >