Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best of New Orleans


Cover art for OL' BLOO'S BOOGIE-WOOGIE BAND AND BLUES ENSEMBLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
by Jan Huling, illustrated by Henri Sørensen

"Sørensen's pastoral oil paintings alternate with crisp black silhouettes, suiting the tale—but it's the lively narrative that sings right on key. (Picture book/folktale. 6-10)"
Huling's fresh variant on "The Bremen Town Musicians" conveys a narrative musicality all its own. Read full book review >
Cover art for SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2009

"A grim murder-suicide story delivered with skill and verve."
Journalist Brown (Snitch: Informants, Cooperators, and the Corruption of Justice, 2007, etc.) tries his hand at true crime. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE YEAR BEFORE THE FLOOD
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 29, 2009

"A powerful, heartfelt and sometimes angry take on a great American city."
Musician and "Afropop Worldwide" radio producer Sublette delivers an intense and thoughtful "companion volume" to The World that Made New Orleans (2008). Read full book review >
Cover art for A.D.
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 18, 2009
by Josh Neufeld, illustrated by Josh Neufeld

"Bristling with attitude and pungent with social awareness."
Graphic artist Neufeld paints an emotive portrait of New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina, as seen through the eyes of seven of the city's citizens. Read full book review >
Cover art for NINE LIVES
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 17, 2009

"One of those rare occasions when journalism crosses the threshold of art."
The Crescent City beyond Bourbon Street. Read full book review >
Cover art for BAYOU FAREWELL
NONFICTION
Released: March 4, 2003

"First-rate report from a land even environmentalists forgot."
Travel journalist Tidwell (Amazon Stranger, 1996, etc.) takes a lingering, eye-opening look at the bayous and marshlands of West Louisiana. Read full book review >