Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Children's Books of 2012: Nonfiction


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Cover art for FIFTY CENTS AND A DREAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 4, 2012
by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Bryan Collier

"An outstanding achievement and a life worthy of note. (additional facts, author's note, illustrator's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)"
A former slave fulfills his quest for an education and much more in this superbly designed tribute to an oft-maligned African-American educator and author. Read full book review >
Cover art for TWELVE KINDS OF ICE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 6, 2012

"Irresistible. (Memoir. 6-9)"
Winter on a Maine farm offers the joys of ice in all its forms. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAND IN HAND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

"A feast for readers whose eyes are (or should be) on the prize, in a volume as well-turned-out as the dapper W.E.B. Dubois, who was "more handsome than a fresh-cut paycheck." (timeline, index, lists of recommended reading and viewing) (Collective biography. 10-15)"
Addressing the appetites of readers "hungry for role models," this presents compellingly oratorical pictures of the lives and characters of 10 African-American men who exemplify a "birthright of excellence." Read full book review >
Cover art for SPIRIT SEEKER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
by Gary Golio, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

"Lyrically narrated, resplendently illustrated, and deeply respectful of both subject and audience. (afterword, author's and artist's notes, bibliography, discography) (Picture book/biography. 8-12)"
In attuned counterpoint, Golio and Gutierrez present a portrait of John Coltrane's lifelong quest to discover and share his spiritual truth through music. Read full book review >
Cover art for I HAVE A DREAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
illustrated by Kadir Nelson, by Martin Luther King

"A title for remembrance and for re-dedication to the dream, published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Informational picture book. 5 & up)"
An award-winning artist captures the passion and purpose of this most notable 20th-century American speech in beautifully realized oil paintings. Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE WHITE DUCK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"Beautifully drawn and quietly evocative. (glossary, timeline, author biography, translations of Chinese characters, maps) (Graphic memoir. 9-12)"
A striking glimpse into Chinese girlhood during the 1970s and '80s.Beginning with a breathtaking dream of riding a golden crane over the city of Wuhan, China, Liu Na, recounts her subsequent waking only to discover that Chairman Mao has passed away. Read full book review >
Cover art for DREAMING UP
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Christy Hale, illustrated by Christy Hale

"This extraordinary new picture book masterfully tackles the complex task of contextualizing seemingly complex architectural concepts within a child's own world of play. (Informational picture book/poetry. 2-8)"
Hale turns her educated eye to modern and contemporary architecture and produces a book that is at once groundbreaking, child-friendly and marvelously inclusive. 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 ISLAND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
by Jason Chin, illustrated by Jason Chin

"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin. (Informational picture book. 8-12) "
A beautifully made picture book presents the story of the Galápagos Islands for young readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for CASTLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"And will a young scholar read it again and look for more? You bet--it's great fuel for the imagination. (Nonfiction early reader. 4-8)"
Hooray for the launch of a new nonfiction series for newly fledged readers! 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 ELECTRIC BEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
by Robert Byrd, illustrated by Robert Byrd

"A work of breadth and energy, just like its subject; engaging and brimming with appeal for a wide audience. (Biography. 8-14)"
A beautifully realized labor of love and affection brings to life one of our brightest founding fathers. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE IMPOSSIBLE RESCUE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"Outstanding nonfiction writing that makes history come alive. (source notes, bibliography, photography credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up) "
Sandler brings to life an extraordinary true adventure tale set on the treacherous Arctic terrain. Read full book review >
Cover art for ONE TIMES SQUARE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 6, 2012
by Joe McKendry, illustrated by Joe McKendry

"Just like Times Square itself, the pages are filled to the brim. (sources) (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
An unexpected history of a very famous intersection. Read full book review >
Cover art for MONSIEUR MARCEAU
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Gérard DuBois

"An exceptional life; a stunning achievement. (afterword, source notes, further reading) (Picture book biography. 4-10) "
Audiences thrilled to his mesmerizing performances, in which he spoke through his expressive body without uttering a single word. Read full book review >
Cover art for DISCOVERING BLACK AMERICA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012

"From attractive page design to an afterword that encourages readers to search for their own history, there has been much attention to detail in this handsome volume. (notes, bibliography, art credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
This handsome, engaging study of African-American history brings to light many intriguing and tragically underreported stories. Read full book review >
Cover art for ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 19, 2012

"A marvel of history writing that makes complicated history clear and interesting. (selected bibliography, notes, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 9-14) "
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass met only three times, but their friendship changed a nation. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE MIGHTY MARS ROVERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 18, 2012

"How extraordinary to visit Mars in Spirit; readers will be very glad of the Opportunity. (sources, chapter notes, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
What's it like to explore Mars? Did life ever exist on Earth's red neighbor? To find out, readers need only soar along with this enthralling account of the adventures of two rovers designed to seek evidence on Mars of water that could have once supported life. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE AMAZING HARRY KELLAR
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012

"Dozens of spectacular Kellar posters along with a dramatic book design nicely support this well-constructed look at a consummate showman. (timeline, bibliography, annotated sources) (Biography. 10-14)"
A first-rate visual presentation accompanies a fascinating biography of the first dean of the Society of American Magicians, a man Houdini regarded as a mentor. Read full book review >
Cover art for OCEAN SUNLIGHT
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
by Molly Bang, illustrated by Molly Bang, by Penny Chisholm

"Readers will want to visit more than once to capture both the science and the abundant sense of celebration here. (Informational picture book. 5-11)"
An awe-inspiring lesson in photosynthesis goes under the sea. Read full book review >