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Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

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New and Notable Children's Books for September

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Cover art for LOVE, MOUSERELLA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star LOVE, MOUSERELLA
by David Ezra Stein, illustrated by David Ezra Stein
"Sometimes snail mail is just better. Here's proof. (Picture book. 5-7)"
Bestrewing lined sheets with crayon drawings, Polaroids, smudges, a ketchup packet (not a real one) and other signs of affection, a mouseling writes a newsy love note to her Grandmouse. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY NAME IS ELIZABETH!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star MY NAME IS ELIZABETH!
by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
"This debut picture-book offering from Dunklee and Forsythe is close enough to perfect in its tone, pacing and interplay between words and pictures: Wonderful. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Don't call her Betsy. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHO HAS WHAT?
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star WHO HAS WHAT?: ALL ABOUT GIRLS' AND BOYS' BODIES
by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
"This much-needed title stands out for its comfortably familiar presentation of material adults sometime find difficult to share with young children. (Informational picture book. 2-6)"
A family outing to the beach provides the opportunity for a discussion of the similarities and differences between boys and girls. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BOY FROM THE DRAGON PALACE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star THE BOY FROM THE DRAGON PALACE
retold by Margaret Read MacDonald, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
"MacDonald's lively retelling of this folktale is bound to fascinate kids; after all, who can resist a tale with a snot-nosed boy? (source note) (Picture book/folktale. 4-8) "
This Japanese variant of "The Fisherman and His Wife" features a poor flower seller and a snot-nosed boy. Read full book review >
Cover art for PEOPLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star PEOPLE
by Blexbolex, illustrated by Blexbolex
"A memorable gallery of humanity (and its outliers). (Picture book. 6-9)"
In the wake of Seasons (2010), an equally beguiling barrage of simple images demonstrating this French illustrator's unusual technical command and sharp powers of observation. Read full book review >
Cover art for ALVIN HO
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO DEAD BODIES, FUNERALS, AND OTHER FATAL CIRCUMSTANCES
by Lenore Look, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
"A fresh entry in what is overall an exceedingly enjoyable series; readers will cheer this latest. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Nervous second-grader Alvin Ho digs deep to find the bravery to attend a funeral in this playful and poignant fourth offering in the series. Read full book review >
Cover art for AN ANNOYING ABC
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star AN ANNOYING ABC
by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Michael Emberley
"A is for one awesome, amusing, antic alphabet book. (Alphabet picture book. 4-8)"
What's annoying? Read full book review >
Cover art for CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING
by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
"Filled with familiar Clementine charm but, more importantly, a whole lot of heart, too. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Clementine has had many not-so-good days. But this one just might be the worst. 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 WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE
by Tess Hilmo
"A story about the meaning of home, justice and love, beautifully told. (Historical fiction. 9-12)"
Hilmo creates a family, a town and a mystery that readers won't soon forget. Read full book review >
Cover art for 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILED
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILED
by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
"Go ahead, break a few dishes in the washing machine, see the humor and enjoy this fine poke at every science fair that ever was. (Picture book. 4-8)"
What would happen if a stand-up comedian--a good stand-up comedian, like Robin Williams or George Carlin (minus those seven famous words)--were to choose the question for a science experiment? This, in these pages, is what would happen. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FLINT HEART
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star THE FLINT HEART
by Katherine Paterson, John Paterson, illustrated by John Rocco
"A grand tale skillfully updated and tightened up, this should win the hearts of a new generation. (Fantasy. 8-12)"
A heart-shaped talisman created in the Stone Age brings terribly corrupting power to those who possess it, until 12-year-old Charles Jago manages to destroy it permanently. Read full book review >