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Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



Families Facing Tough Times

Cover art for ALMOST HOME
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star ALMOST HOME
by Joan Bauer
"Sugar, with her natural gift for rubbing down imperfections, will win readers' hearts. (Fiction. 9-13)"
Through months of homelessness and her mother's breakdown, sixth-grader Sugar Mae Cole and her puppy, Shush, demonstrate what it means to be sweet. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIAR & SPY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 7, 2012
Kirkus Star LIAR & SPY
by Rebecca Stead
"Original and winning. (Fiction. 10-14)"
A seventh-grade boy who is coping with social and economic issues moves into a new apartment building, where he makes friends with an over-imaginative home-schooled boy and his eccentric family. Read full book review >
Cover art for SUMMER ON THE MOON
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
SUMMER ON THE MOON
by Adrian Fogelin
"Steeped in violence (more implied than graphic) and poverty, but focused on love and hope. (Fiction. 9-12)"
Meet Socrates, better known as Socko, on the first day of summer before his eighth-grade year, a summer that will change his life forever. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOUND DOG TRUE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Star HOUND DOG TRUE
by Linda Urban
"This outstanding, emotionally resonant effort will appeal to middle-grade readers. (Fiction. 8-12)"
With a little help from a caring adult, a child crippled by shyness begins to bloom. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHEESIE MACK IS NOT A GENIUS OR ANYTHING
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 22, 2011
CHEESIE MACK IS NOT A GENIUS OR ANYTHING
by Steve Cotler, illustrated by Adam McCauley
"No art was seen, but the final book will have many fun illustrations (according to Cheesie) from Time Warp Trio illustrator McCauley. (Fiction. 8-12)"
Ronald "Cheesie" Mack and his best friend, Georgie, are about to graduate fifth grade and embark on the best summer ever, which will include, but not be limited to, making points in a private battle against Cheesie's evil older sister June, hanging out in their treehouse and, most importantly, summer camp in Maine. Read full book review >
Cover art for TELL US WE’RE HOME
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 4, 2010
Kirkus Star TELL US WE’RE HOME
by Marina Budhos
"Keenly necessary. (Fiction. 12-15)"
It's the typical story of middle school BFFs—all immigrants. Read full book review >