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Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

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New and Notable October Titles for Children

Cover art for BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 31, 2011
Kirkus Star BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY'S PARADE
by Melissa Sweet, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
"This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high. (bibliography of adult sources, quote sources, acknowledgements, period photo) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)"
This bright, brimming picture biography commemorates Tony Sarg, a brilliant, self-taught artist whose innovative helium balloons delighted legions of Macy's parade watchers from 1928 on. Read full book review >
Cover art for BODY OF WATER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Star BODY OF WATER
by Sarah Dooley
"An enthralling tale that demystifies Wicca, humanizes homeless families and inspires reflection on friendship, forgiveness and moving forward. (Fiction. 10-14)"
A compelling story rife with drama, suspense and heart. Read full book review >
Cover art for MAX'S CASTLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Star MAX'S CASTLE
by Kate Banks, illustrated by Boris Kulikov
"This homage to the power of imagination is one ingenious and entertaining game of wordplay. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Banks and Kulikov's Max is back in his third escapade of wordplay. Read full book review >
Cover art for SEA OF DREAMS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Star SEA OF DREAMS
by Dennis Nolan, illustrated by Dennis Nolan
"One thing's certain: It's magic. (Picture book. 4-10)
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A girl leaves her sandcastle at dusk, just as the inevitable tide rushes in, and misses a small, plaintive light that appears in its window. Rushes of tingly surrealism continue throughout this wordless adventure story about the tiny inhabitants of the sandcastle, who escape by boat. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ANNOTATED PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Star THE ANNOTATED PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer, introduction by Leonard Marcus
"A timeless tribute to learning as play, much enriched with background on even the (seemingly) throwaway lines and puns. (Literary criticism. 10-12, adult)"
Still ferrying dazzled readers to Dictionopolis and beyond 50 years after his first appearance, young Milo is accompanied this time through by encyclopedic commentary from our generation's leading (and most readable) expert on the history of children's literature and publishing. Read full book review >
Cover art for SECRETS AT SEA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 13, 2011
Kirkus Star SECRETS AT SEA
by Richard Peck, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
"Sheer delight. (final art not seen) (Animal fantasy. 8-12)"
Problem novels, ghost stories, historical fiction--is there anything Newbery Medalist Peck cannot do? Apparently not. Read full book review >