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Best Children's Books of 2012 (page 5)

Cover art for CASTLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
Kirkus Star CASTLE: HOW IT WORKS
by David Macaulay, Sheila Keenan, illustrated by David Macaulay
"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 THE SPINDLERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
Kirkus Star THE SPINDLERS
by Lauren Oliver, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
"Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. (Final illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Liza must venture Below to rescue her little brother's soul, stolen by evil, power-hungry spider people called spindlers, in this refreshingly creepy, intricately woven tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE QUIET PLACE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
Kirkus Star THE QUIET PLACE
by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David Small
"A warm, gentle portrait of an immigrant's isolation and the ways that creativity and a loving family can offer both a safe haven and a bridge. (Picture book. 4-8)"
As in Stewart and Small's previous The Gardener (1997) and The Journey (2001), letters to a loved one become the vehicle for a girl to explore what she sees, feels and comes to understand upon leaving home for the first time. Read full book review >
Cover art for YOU ARE STARDUST
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 15, 2012
Kirkus Star YOU ARE STARDUST
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
Kirkus Star ELECTRIC BEN
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 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY: 200 POEMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SQUEAK, SOAR, AND ROAR!
edited by J. Patrick Lewis
"A spectacular collection--"And," the editor notes with remarkable understatement, "the pictures are pretty nice too!" (Poetry. 7-12)"
Gathered by the United States children's poet laureate, 200 (mostly) lighthearted poems from the likes of Basho and Ben Franklin, Leadbelly, Jack Prelutsky and Joyce Sidman share space with eye-popping animal photographs. Read full book review >