Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children and the Wild World


Cover art for OCTAVIA BOONE'S BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"Readers may well find themselves wondering the same. (Fiction. 9-12)"
Rupp tackles some heavy material in this provocative middle-grade novel. Read full book review >
Cover art for MARY MAE AND THE GOSPEL TRUTH
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2010

"Mary Mae is a memorable character—spunky but not defiant—whose search for truth drives the narrative. (Fiction. 8-12)"
Ten-year-old Mary Mae loves questions. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2009

"Readers will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for "Callie Vee" and wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become. (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
"Mother was awakening to the sorry facts: My biscuits were like stones, my samplers askew, my seams like rickrack." Read full book review >
Cover art for WILD THINGS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2009
by Clay Carmichael, illustrated by Clay Carmichael

"Zoë Royster, peer to the literary heroines she so loves, is as memorable in her own way as the Great Gilly Hopkins, Opal Buloni and Anne Shirley. (Fiction. 9-12)"
After the death of her mentally ill mother, Zoë—tart-tongued and valiant—is adopted by her paternal uncle, artist Henry Royster, and with his help moves toward a more conventional life. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE PIRATES OF CROCODILE SWAMP
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2009

"This sure-to-please adventure for middle-grade readers is a promising new direction for the prolific nature writer. (Fiction. 8-11)"
After a wild ride down I-95 with their unpredictably violent father, Sandy and Jack Casperin find themselves in the Florida Keys, far from home. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LEANIN’ DOG
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2008

"Gritty and engaging. (Fiction. 9-12)"
A motherless girl, a stray dog and a heart-tugging plot—sound familiar? Read full book review >