Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Children's Books of 2012 (page 5)


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Cover art for STEP GENTLY OUT
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 13, 2012
by Helen Frost, photographed by Rick Lieder

"A dazzlingly poetic photo album of the insect world for tots on up. (Picture book. 2 & up)"
Breathtaking photos and an exquisite poem capture a bug's-eye view of nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for Z IS FOR MOOSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

"Just label it F for funny. (Picture book. 4-6)"
A wry twist on an alphabet story makes for laugh-out-loud fun. Read full book review >
Cover art for GEORGIA IN HAWAII
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 27, 2012
by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Yuyi Morales

"Accessible, unfussy and visually charming. (author's and illustrator's notes; sources) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)"
An appealing and slightly humorous portrayal of O'Keeffe's artistic vision and determination, along with a peek at the Hawaii of over half a century ago. Read full book review >
Cover art for A STICK IS AN EXCELLENT THING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 27, 2012
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

"A thrilling integration of verse and image, motivating all to serious fun. (Picture book/poetry. 3-8)"
Turning the adage that sticks and stones may break one's bones on its ear, picture-book titans Singer and Pham team up to entice young readers to go where most Generation Xbox angels fear to tread: outside. 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 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 AND THEN IT'S SPRING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 14, 2012
by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

"This sweet seedling will undoubtedly take root and thrive. (Picture book. 3-8)"
A boy plants seeds in late winter's brown, barren earth and vigilantly watches for green sprouts alongside his companions (a dog, turtle, rabbit and bird). 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 QUESTION BOY MEETS LITTLE MISS KNOW-IT-ALL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 7, 2012

"Grown-ups beware. Youngsters might have their own questions and answers after this romp. (Picture book. 4-8)"
An irresistible force meets an immovable object with hilarious results. Read full book review >
Cover art for A BLACK HOLE IS NOT A HOLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012

"Hole-y astronomy! (timeline, glossary, author's note, bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)"
Oh, my stars! As the cover proclaims, a black hole may not be an actual hole, but readers will be glad they fell into this book. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE'VE GOT A JOB
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012

"A moving record of young people rising at a pivotal historical moment, based on original interviews and archival research as well as published sources. (photos, timeline, endnotes, multimedia resource lists) (Nonfiction. 11-15)"
Triumph and tragedy in 1963 "Bombingham," as children and teens pick up the flagging civil rights movement and give it a swift kick in the pants. Read full book review >
Cover art for TRAINS GO
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
by Steve Light, illustrated by Steve Light

"Sheer, fabulous power. (Board book. 1-3)"
There's more than just "choo-choo" along this track. 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 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 WE MARCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 17, 2012
by Shane W. Evans, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

"Share with readers of all ages as a beautiful message about peaceful protest and purposeful action. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)"
An African-American family awakens before dawn to prepare for the historic March on Washington in August, 1963. 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 EXTRA YARN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 17, 2012
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

"A quiet story of sharing with no strings attached. (Picture book. 4-7)"
A little girl in a town of white snow and soot-blackened chimneys opens a small box and discovers a never-ending gift of colorful yarn. Read full book review >
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 EAST DRAGON, WEST DRAGON
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 3, 2012
by Robyn Eversole, illustrated by Scott Campbell

"This primer on friendship wrapped in hijinks is paced for maximum pleasure. (Picture book. 3-7)"
In this variant of "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse," two dragons learn to appreciate each other's talents and milieus. Read full book review >