Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Hard Science Fiction for Teens


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Cover art for BE MY ENEMY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"More! More! (Science fiction. 12 & up)"
In this exciting first sequel to outstanding series opener Planesrunner (2011), 14-year-old science whiz Everett Singh continues to outthink his enemies while navigating the multiverse searching for his dad, lost in a parallel universe. Read full book review >
Cover art for LOSERS IN SPACE
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 12, 2012

"Overall, accessible, gripping and poignant. (Science fiction. 14 & up)"
Despite the campy title, Barnes (Tales of the Madman Underground, 2009) spins a space-travel tale with scientific and emotional substance.In 2129, most humans are economically comfortable, but the big money and cachet is in entertainment. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIFE ON MARS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2011
edited by Jonathan Strahan

"While some harsh language and difficult themes might restrict the audience, readers who agree with the saw that "the Golden Age of science fiction is 12" will demand more of every author included. (Science fiction/short stories. 12 & up)"
This exemplary, almost old-fashioned anthology is a welcome relief in a teen fiction market dominated by dystopias, fantasy and paranormal romance. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SOFTWIRE
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2009

"A pulpy (if disorganized) reward for those who have made it this far. (Science fiction. 10-12)"
JT's journey through the unpleasant Rings of Orbis finally starts to come together into a coherent narrative (Betrayal on Orbis 2, 2008, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for FARSEED
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2007

"It most clearly resembles life itself: a murky, unresolved struggle for survival. (Science fiction. YA)"
In Earthseed (1983), Sargent told the story of Ship, sent into space with a mission to find new worlds for humanity to populate and regenerate in lieu of extinction on a dying planet. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE XENOCIDE MISSION
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 14, 2002

"A rip-roaring read. (Fiction. YA)"
Jeapes rockets into the YA hardcover sci-fi market with an attack by aliens on an observation base located far in space and staffed by humans and an extraterrestrial species, the First Breed. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHILDHOOD'S END
FICTION
Released: July 3, 2001

"An intelligent and imaginative use of cosmic concepts for a takeoff in time and space."
A futurama projects the end of the world when an invasion by the Overlords brings their unchallenged control of life on earth. Read full book review >
Cover art for PROBABILITY SUN
FICTION
Released: July 1, 2001

"Kress's always-excellent characters wrestle with a splendid array of puzzles and problems, human, alien, and scientific: another resounding success for this talented, sure-footed writer."
Sequel, as predicted, to Kress's wonderful alien-contact yarn Probability Moon (2000). Read full book review >
Cover art for ENDER'S GAME
FICTION
Released: Jan. 1, 1984

"Still, the long passages focusing on Ender are nearly always enthralling—the details are handled with flair and assurance—and this is altogether a much more solid, mature, and persuasive effort than Card's previous full-length appearances."
A rather one-dimensional but mostly satisfying child-soldier yarn which substantially extends and embellishes one of Card's better short stories (Unaccompanied Sonata and Other Stories, 1980). Read full book review >
Cover art for I, ROBOT
FICTION
Released: Aug. 16, 1963

A new edition of the by now classic collection of affiliated stories which has already established its deserved longevity. Read full book review >