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New & Notable Books for Children: February 2012

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Cover art for A BLACK HOLE IS NOT A HOLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star A BLACK HOLE IS NOT A HOLE
by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, illustrated by Michael Carroll
"Hole-y astronomy! (timeline, glossary, author's note, bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)"
Oh, my stars! As the cover proclaims, a black hole may not be an actual hole, but readers will be glad they fell into this book. Read full book review >
Cover art for BEST SHOT IN THE WEST
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star BEST SHOT IN THE WEST: THE ADVENTURES OF NAT LOVE
by Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack Jr., illustrated by Randy DuBurke
"History that's fun to read…and important. (authors' note, illustrator's note) (Historical fiction. 10 & up)"
On a train out of Denver in 1902, two old cowboys reminisce about the Old West. Read full book review >
Cover art for GARMANN'S SECRET
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star GARMANN'S SECRET
by Stian Hole, illustrated by Stian Hole, translated by Don Bartlett
"Fans of Hole's mixed-media collages, rendered in a retro-infused, surreal style, will find this book his most beautiful yet. (Picture book. 6-9)"
After tackling the neighborhood bully (Garmann's Street, 2010) and the impending death of his elderly aunts (Garmann's Summer, 2008), Garmann returns in his third discovery of life's universal truths, this time exploring secrets--and first love. Read full book review >
Cover art for ARTHUR'S DREAM BOAT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star ARTHUR'S DREAM BOAT
by Polly Dunbar, illustrated by Polly Dunbar
"A real attention-getter. (Picture book. 2 & up)"
Dunbar imaginatively transforms a seaside memory of a small boy in the ocean and a boat on the distant horizon into Arthur's adventure with a dream boat. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE'VE GOT A JOB
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH
by Cynthia Y. Levinson
"A moving record of young people rising at a pivotal historical moment, based on original interviews and archival research as well as published sources. (photos, timeline, endnotes, multimedia resource lists) (Nonfiction. 11-15)"
Triumph and tragedy in 1963 "Bombingham," as children and teens pick up the flagging civil rights movement and give it a swift kick in the pants. Read full book review >
Cover art for NO CRYSTAL STAIR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star NO CRYSTAL STAIR: A DOCUMENTARY NOVEL OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF LEWIS MICHAUX, HARLEM BOOKSELLER
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
"A stirring and thought-provoking account of an unsung figure in 20th-century American history. (author's notes, source notes, bibliography, index) (Fictional biography. 12-18)"
Lewis Michaux provided a venue for his fellow African-Americans to have access to their own history and philosophy at a time when the very idea was revolutionary. Read full book review >