Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




New & Notable Books for Middle-Graders: October 2012


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Cover art for THE ALIEN HUNTER'S HANDBOOK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 30, 2012
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
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
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

"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

"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

""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 >
Cover art for SON
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
Kirkus Star SON

"Bravo! (Fiction. 12 & up)"
In this long-awaited finale to the Giver Quartet, a young mother from a dystopian community searches for her son and sacrifices everything to find him living in a more humane society with characters from The Giver (1993), Gathering Blue (2000) and Messenger (2004). Read full book review >
Cover art for STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012

"A worthy companion to Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009). (author's note, bibliography of Chinese folk tales) (Fantasy. 8-12)"
When a troubled runaway arrives in an isolated Chinese village where the moon has disappeared, he initiates a quest to find the missing orb and resolve his past. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GIANT AND HOW HE HUMBUGGED AMERICA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"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 >
Cover art for FOOD
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012

"A sobering, thought-provoking discussion that provides, yes, much food for thought. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, websites, index) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)"
An intelligent examination of food that probes how it is produced, procured and delivered to consumers--or not. Read full book review >
Cover art for BUFFALO BIRD GIRL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
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

"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
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

"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

"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 >