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New & Notable Books for Middle-Graders: October 2012

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Cover art for BUFFALO BIRD GIRL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star BUFFALO BIRD GIRL: A HIDATSA STORY
retold by S.D. Nelson, illustrated by S.D. Nelson
"Pair with Nelson's Gift Horse (1999) for a broad vision of Plains Indian childhood. (notes, bibliography, index) (Informational picture book. 7-12)"
A noted Native American artist interprets the early life of Buffalo Bird Woman, Waheenee-wea, one of the last of the Hidatsa to live according to old traditions. Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE WHITE DUCK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star LITTLE WHITE DUCK: A CHILDHOOD IN CHINA
by Andrés Vera Martínez, Na Liu, illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez
"Beautifully drawn and quietly evocative. (glossary, timeline, author biography, translations of Chinese characters, maps) (Graphic memoir. 9-12)"
A striking glimpse into Chinese girlhood during the 1970s and '80s.Beginning with a breathtaking dream of riding a golden crane over the city of Wuhan, China, Liu Na, recounts her subsequent waking only to discover that Chairman Mao has passed away. Read full book review >
Cover art for ROBIN HOOD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star ROBIN HOOD
by David Calcutt, illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith
"Sure to attract new followers for a perennially popular hero. (research and bibliography) (Folklore. 9-13)"
Robbing the rich and punishing the privileged, Robin Hood and his band return in a series of nine episodes gracefully retold and beautifully designed to appeal to modern readers. Read full book review >
Cover art for ZOMBIE MAKERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star ZOMBIE MAKERS: TRUE STORIES OF NATURE'S UNDEAD
by Rebecca L. Johnson
"Science writing at its grossest and best, though as the title (not to mention the blood-spattered pages) warns, not for the squeamish. (author's note, glossary, notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)"
Solid (sometimes writhing) proof that the scariest zombie flicks have nothing on Nature. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DOGS OF WINTER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star THE DOGS OF WINTER
by Bobbie Pyron
"Terrifying, life-affirming and memorable. (author's note, bibliography) (Adventure. 10-14)"
An orphaned boy in Russia survives as a member of a pack of dogs. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GIANT AND HOW HE HUMBUGGED AMERICA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
Kirkus Star THE GIANT AND HOW HE HUMBUGGED AMERICA
by Jim Murphy
"After reading this fascinating story, young people will appreciate the old expression, spawned by this very hoax, "There's a sucker born every minute." (research notes, source notes, bibliography, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)"
When a stone giant is found on a farm in upstate New York, William Newell sees the chance to get rich quickly. Read full book review >