Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




More Books Like Beauty Queens


Cover art for THE HUNGER GAMES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2008

"Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting. (Science fiction. 11 & up)"
Katniss Everdeen is a survivor. Read full book review >
Cover art for JENNA & JONAH'S FAUXMANCE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2011

"Love, American style. (Fiction. YA)"
After a successful first season of Jenna & Jonah's How to Be a Rock Star, teen idols Charlie and Aaron (aka Fielding Withers to his fans) are given an ultimatum: "fall in love or fall apart." Read full book review >
Cover art for GIRL IN THE ARENA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2009

"Entertainingly gruesome and emotionally resonant—but ultimately contrived. (Science fiction. 11-13)"
Lyn is the daughter of seven neo-gladiators, the men her mother married, one after another, until each died in the arena for the pleasure of the national TV audience. Read full book review >
Cover art for BUMPED
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 26, 2011

"She leaves readers with an ambiguous ending, sure to keep them thinking. (Science fiction. 14 & up)"
In this well-realized dystopia, a virus has rendered nearly everyone in the world unable to have children after age 18. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE REAL REAL
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2009

"The authors' name recognition (The Nanny Diaries, 2002, etc.) should guarantee some sales. (Fiction. YA)"
Jesse is convinced her senior year will be nothing short of pathetically normal until she's picked to be one of the six stars of The Real Hampton Beach, a reality show filming in her town. Read full book review >
Cover art for ARE YOU GOING TO KISS ME NOW?
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2011

"A witty winner aimed straight at reality-TV fans. (Comedy adventure. 12 & up)"
This clever comedy strands a starstruck girl on a deserted island with major celebrities. Read full book review >
Cover art for SHARKS & BOYS
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 28, 2011

"William Golding updated with humor. (Adventure. 12-17)"
Thoughtless teen behavior leads four sets of twins on a deadly adventure in a horribly realistic but often very funny survival tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for SURVIVING ANTARCTICA
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2005

"Some nice characterization and connection with historical explorers, but closes with an emptiness reminiscent of reality TV itself. (end note, bibliography) (Science fiction. 10-14)"
This tale of five 14-year-olds in a life-endangering reality show sustains tension through the middle, but ends weakly. Read full book review >
Cover art for PARANORMALCY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010

"Good, romantic—and a little weird—entertainment. (Paranormal romance. 10 & up)"
Evie wants a normal teenage life, but at the IPCA Center (International Paranormal Containment Agency) life is decidedly not normal. Read full book review >