Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Top 14 Teen Books for September


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Cover art for BEYOND COURAGE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012

"Thorough, deeply researched and stylistically clear, this is a necessary, exemplary book. (pronunciation guide, chronology, notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
In a book that is the very model of excellence in nonfiction, Rappaport dispels the old canard that the Jews entered the houses of death as lambs led to the slaughter. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRAMA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
by Raina Telgemeier, illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

"Brava! (Graphic fiction. 10-14)"
From award winner Telgemeier (Smile, 2010), a pitch-perfect graphic novel portrayal of a middle school musical, adroitly capturing the drama both on and offstage. Read full book review >
Cover art for BE MY ENEMY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"More! More! (Science fiction. 12 & up)"
In this exciting first sequel to outstanding series opener Planesrunner (2011), 14-year-old science whiz Everett Singh continues to outthink his enemies while navigating the multiverse searching for his dad, lost in a parallel universe. Read full book review >
Cover art for BOMB
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world. (source notes, quotation notes, acknowledgments, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
In late December 1938, German chemist Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, and just a few months later the race to build an atomic bomb was on. Read full book review >
Cover art for MY BOOK OF LIFE BY ANGEL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012

"An astonishing, wrenching achievement. (author's note) (Fiction. 14 & up)"
The tragedy of discarded children is skillfully explored in this stunning novel in verse. Read full book review >
Cover art for VESSEL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"From the gripping first line, a fast-paced, thought-provoking and stirring story of sacrifice. (Fantasy. 12 & up)"
When a summoning goes awry, Liyana must try to save her people and learn how to live for herself, in this sweeping adventure. Read full book review >
Cover art for CALL THE SHOTS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"Fearlessly foul, this consistently comical series should be required reading for all teenage boys and anyone else with a strong stomach and highly sensitive funny bone. (Fiction. 14 & up)"
It's nice guy Sean's turn to shine in this hilarious follow-up to Swim the Fly (2009) and Beat the Band (2010). Read full book review >
Cover art for SONS OF THE 613
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"This book won't make readers proud to be Jewish. It will make them proud to be a pool player in a porkpie hat, a tattooed punk or anyone who survives all the way to 13. Everyone should read it the moment he becomes a man. (Fiction. 13-17) "
This is a book every bar-mitzvah boy will want to steal. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BRIDES OF ROLLROCK ISLAND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"Bracing, powerful, resonant. (Fantasy. 12 & up)"
In this spellbinding, intricately layered novel, the Printz Honor winner (Tender Morsels, 2008) puts her unique spin on selkies--haunting, mysterious, seal-human shape-shifters in a world of hardscrabble fishing villages, lonely islands and cold, restless seas. Read full book review >
Cover art for DON'T TURN AROUND
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012

"Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for preteens and teens, a surefire hit. (Thriller. 12-16)"
Teenage hackers Noa and Peter band together for vengeance and discover an inconceivable conspiracy. Read full book review >
Cover art for STORMDANCER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"Soars higher than the arashitora Kristoff writes about; superb. (Steampunk. 12 & up)"
Debut author Kristoff's steampunk adventure whisks readers to a Japanese dystopia where some mythological beings still exist, a few people have fantastical gifts, and all people live under tyranny. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DIVINERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"Not for the faint of heart due to both subject and length, but the intricate plot and magnificently imagined details of character, dialogue and setting take hold and don't let go. Not to be missed. (Historical/paranormal thriller. 14 & up)"
1920s New York thrums with giddy life in this gripping first in a new trilogy from Printz winner Bray. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE RAVEN BOYS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"The magic is entirely pragmatic; the impossible, extraordinarily true. (Fantasy. 13 & up)"
An ancient Welsh king may be buried in the Virginia countryside; three privileged boys hope to disinter him. Read full book review >
Cover art for FOURMILE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012

"Deeply moving and fast-paced, this life-affirming effort is a worthy addition to the bookshelves of sturdy readers. (Fiction. 12 & up)"
Key (Alabama Moon, 2006, etc.) has crafted another powerful, riveting coming-of-age tale that doesn't stint on violence to advance the action. Read full book review >