Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Oscar-winner Read Alikes


Showing

Cover art for VIRTUALLY YOU
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 7, 2011

"Most readers already realize that online personas are often different from those in real life, but Aboujaoude offers a unique psychiatrist's perspective and an urgent wake-up call for those still in the dark."
A psychiatrist who specializes in obsessive-compulsive disorders argues persuasively that the Internet can be hazardous to our mental health. Read full book review >
Cover art for JOE LOUIS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 26, 2010

"All legendary athletes should hope for treatment by such capable, compassionate hands."
A sympathetic, moving life of the Brown Bomber by veteran cultural historian and biographer Roberts (History/Purdue Univ.; The Rock, the Curse, and the Hub: A Random History of Boston Sports, 2005, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for WHAT TECHNOLOGY WANTS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 18, 2010

"Techno-mysticism aside, a timely and urgent book about the possibly dangerous fruits of human inventiveness."
Wired founding editor Kelly (Asia Grace, 2002, etc.) attempts to balance a clear-eyed overview of the rise of technology and its place with a grand statement about what it all means. Read full book review >
Cover art for JANE EYRE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
adapted by Amy Corzine

"Distinctly subpar. (Graphic classic. 13 & up)"
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre may seem a fairly innocuous choice for a graphic-novel adaption, but Corzine proves otherwise. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOOGLED
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 3, 2009

"Though not a vivid stylist, Auletta uncovers some endlessly colorful material and assesses its prospects critically but fairly--Google will thrive, he thinks, but they'd better guard against naïveté and complacency."
The New Yorker's "Annals of Communication" columnist Auletta (Media Man: Ted Turner's Improbably Empire, 2004, etc.) goes behind the digital revolution to detail the past decade of astonishing growth at Google. Read full book review >
Cover art for A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTMARAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 13, 2009

"Compelling. (Fiction. YA)"
Sophie is a princess living in a crumbling castle on a tiny, remote island kingdom. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LONGSHOT
FICTION
Released: Aug. 11, 2009

"A real shot to the heart--a resonant portrait of a man out to prove he can take anything the world throws at him."
Down-on-his-luck fighter travels south of the border for the rematch of his life. Read full book review >
Cover art for KING GEORGE
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2008
by Steve Sheinkin, illustrated by Tim Robinson

"A second volume on the Civil War, Two Miserable Presidents (ISBN: 978-1-59643-320-5-0), is also out. (index, adult-level source lists) (Nonfiction. 10-13)"
For middle-graders who find Joy Hakim's 11-volume A History of US just too daunting, historian Sheinkin offers a more digestible version of our country's story—opening with an account of the American Revolution from the despised but not-unreasonable Stamp Act to the dramatic race to Yorktown. Read full book review >
Cover art for TOYS GO OUT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 12, 2006
by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

"A blend of Toy Story and the stories of Johnny Gruelle and A.A. Milne, this is a solid collection that will serve as a good read-aloud, as well as a nice choice for young readers, who will enjoy exploring the warm, secret world of toys. (Fiction. 6-10)"
A little girl has three toys who are best friends: Stingray, a stuffed stingray who claims to know it all, Lumphy; a daring and curious stuffed buffalo; and Plastic, a bouncing, red toy who has yet to find out her true identity. Read full book review >
Cover art for TRACTION MAN IS HERE!
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 12, 2005

"An absolutely, hilariously, dead-on perfect celebration of the relationship between child and toy. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Traction Man is ready for anything—but can he overcome the gift of an all-in-one knitted green romper suit with matching bonnet? Read full book review >
Cover art for UGLY AMERICANS
NONFICTION
Released: June 1, 2004

"Undeniably fun, but readers may well wonder just how much of this could actually be true."
Sex, money, and more than a whiff of criminal activity enliven this too-good-to-be-true real-life business drama. Read full book review >
Cover art for GIRL, INTERRUPTED
NONFICTION
Released: June 1, 1993

"For Kaysen, writing well has been the best revenge."
When Kaysen was 18, in 1967, she was admitted to McLean Psychiatric Hospital outside Boston, where she would spend the next 18 months. Read full book review >
Cover art for TEDDY'S DAY
CHILDREN'S
Released:
by Bruno Hächler, illustrated by Birte Müller, developed by Auryn Inc.

"Subtle, surprising and ultimately spectacular. (iPad storybook app. 3-7)"
A little girl ponders the secret life of her stuffed bear and attempts to catch him in the act. Read full book review >