Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Children's Books of 2012: Fiction


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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 THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 17, 2012

"Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)"
How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JOHN SMITH, JR., AKA HOUDINI
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 24, 2012

"In the end, Houdini realizes that writing has changed him and altered his perspective on people and life. Readers will feel the same way. And just try to get kids not to make their own lists or attempt their own novels. (Fiction. 9-12)"
A middle-schooler writes a kids' novel; an author writes an engaging, amiable read--and, presto, a tale about a boy nicknamed Houdini turns out magical. 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 COLD CEREAL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 7, 2012

"A massive explosion at the end only sets that evil scheme back a bit; stay tuned for further strange and exhilarating developments. (Fantasy. 11-13)"
A motley assortment of human experimental subjects and faerie exiles take on a New Jersey cereal company run by eldritch management for nefarious purposes. 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 CASE OF THE DEADLY DESPERADOS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 16, 2012

"A rich vein of wisdom runs through this highly entertaining, swashbuckling series debut. (1862 map of Virginia City, glossary) (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
Twelve-year-old P.K. "Pinky" Pinkerton was born with a poker face--he can't show or read emotion--but it's not until he lands in Nevada Territory's silver-mining country that he comes to terms with the hand he's dealt. 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 >
Cover art for A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012

"A warm, witty, exquisitely nuanced multigenerational story. (Fiction. 10-14)"
Twelve-year-old Mary O'Hara is surrounded by good-humored women…her mum at home, her mum's mum, who is dying in Dublin's Sacred Heart Hospital, and her mum's mum's mum, who has just materialized as a ghost on her street. Read full book review >
Cover art for THREE TIMES LUCKY
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 10, 2012

"Readers may find they never want to leave Tupelo Landing. (Mystery. 10-14)"
What do you get when you combine Because of Winn-Dixie's heart with the mystery and action of Holes? You get an engaging, spirit-lifting and unforgettable debut for young readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for NOW
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 5, 2012
Kirkus Star NOW

"A fine, taut novel full of understanding. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 9-12)"
Once and Then (2010, 2011) blend into Now in today's Australia as Dr. Felix Salinger, 80, relates his childhood and shows his present to his 11-year-old granddaughter, narrator Zelda. Read full book review >
Cover art for ON THE DAY I DIED
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 10, 2012

"Light on explicit grue but well endowed with macabre detail and leavening dashes of humor. (Horror/short stories. 10-13)"
Nine creepy tales told by dead teens and positively tailor-made for reading--or reading aloud--by flashlight. Read full book review >
Cover art for CARDBOARD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
by Doug TenNapel, illustrated by Doug TenNapel

"Utterly brilliant. (Graphic fantasy. 10 & up)"
An out-of-the-box story of golems, guys and guts. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012

"Realistic, gritty and uplifting. (Fiction. 10-14)"
Jamie lives in a bizarre world, where a sister can die in a bombing, and the only way to bring Mum and Dad together is by auditioning for Britain's Biggest Talent Show. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIAR & SPY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 7, 2012

"Original and winning. (Fiction. 10-14)"
A seventh-grade boy who is coping with social and economic issues moves into a new apartment building, where he makes friends with an over-imaginative home-schooled boy and his eccentric family. Read full book review >
Cover art for SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 28, 2012

"Schlitz's prose is perfect in every stitch, and readers will savor each word. (Historical fantasy. 9-13)"
Two orphans, a witch and a girl who laughs at death: Each shares the lens of protagonist in Newbery winner Schlitz's fully satisfying gothic novel. Read full book review >
Cover art for LULU AND THE DUCK IN THE PARK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

"Utterly winning. (Fiction. 7-9)"
A warmhearted beginning to a new chapter-book series delights from the first few sentences. Read full book review >
Cover art for INTO THE WOODS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
by J. Torres, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

"Be prepared for young Sasquatch fans roaring for more. (Graphic fantasy. 6-11)"
Mom said there was magic in the woods…she probably didn't mean anything like this. Read full book review >