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New & Notable Books for Middle-Graders: October 2012

Cover art for THE ALIEN HUNTER'S HANDBOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 30, 2012
Kirkus Star THE ALIEN HUNTER'S HANDBOOK: HOW TO LOOK FOR EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL LIFE
by Mark Brake, illustrated by Colin Jack, Geraint Ford
"Sharp extraterrestrial inquiry--and a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
A surprisingly thorough and accessible journey into the possibilities of life outside of planet Earth. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAND IN HAND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
Kirkus Star HAND IN HAND: TEN BLACK MEN WHO CHANGED AMERICA
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
"A feast for readers whose eyes are (or should be) on the prize, in a volume as well-turned-out as the dapper W.E.B. Dubois, who was "more handsome than a fresh-cut paycheck." (timeline, index, lists of recommended reading and viewing) (Collective biography. 10-15)"
Addressing the appetites of readers "hungry for role models," this presents compellingly oratorical pictures of the lives and characters of 10 African-American men who exemplify a "birthright of excellence." Read full book review >
Cover art for "WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR?"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 23, 2012
Kirkus Star "WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR?"
by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Seth
"Fans of the Series of Unfortunate Events will be in heaven picking out tidbit references to the tridecalogy, but readers who've yet to delve into that well of sadness will have no problem enjoying this weird and witty yarn. (Mystery. 8-12)"
Young Mr. Snicket seems to always ask the wrong questions. Read full book review >
Cover art for KEEPING SAFE THE STARS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star KEEPING SAFE THE STARS
by Sheila O'Connor
"Family loyalty, stubbornness and love in an implausible but totally satisfying blend. (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
Left in a Minnesota cabin when their grandfather is hospitalized with encephalitis, 13-year-old Pride and her younger siblings struggle to be self-reliant, but after a bus trip to Duluth to see him, they realize they will have to seek and accept help. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FIRE CHRONICLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
Kirkus Star THE FIRE CHRONICLE
by John Stephens
"Irreverent humor and swashbuckling adventure collide in a fetching fantasy. (Fantasy. 10-14) "
Time travel, an Arctic ice shelf and frivolous elves converge in this second installment of The Books of Beginning. Read full book review >
Cover art for SUMMER AND BIRD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
Kirkus Star SUMMER AND BIRD
by Katherine Catmull
""The way a story is told has power," the narrator asserts; Catmull's languorously beautiful telling is puissant indeed. (Fantasy. 10-14)"
A haunting fable inflected with mythological and fairy-tale motifs finds two sisters abandoned by their parents in conflict with each other. Read full book review >