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Top 21 Middle-Grade Books for September

Cover art for IN A GLASS GRIMMLY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2012
Kirkus Star IN A GLASS GRIMMLY
by Adam Gidwitz
"Not so much a set of retellings as a creative romp through traditional and tradition-based story-scapes, compulsively readable and just as read-out-loudable. (source note) (Fantasy. 11-14)"
The author of A Tale Dark and Grimm (2010) starts over--sending young Jack and Jill on a fresh quest for self-knowledge through trials and incidents drawn (stolen, according to the author) from a diverse array of European folk and fairy tales. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SPINDLERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
Kirkus Star THE SPINDLERS
by Lauren Oliver, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
"Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. (Final illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Liza must venture Below to rescue her little brother's soul, stolen by evil, power-hungry spider people called spindlers, in this refreshingly creepy, intricately woven tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for AMBER BROWN IS TICKLED PINK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star AMBER BROWN IS TICKLED PINK
by Paula Danzinger, Bruce Coville, Elizabeth Levy, illustrated by Tony Ross
"Fully faithful to the voice Danziger gave Amber Brown, this visit with an old friend will totally satisfy readers. (afterword by Danziger's niece, "the real Amber Brown") (Fiction. 7-11)"
Amber Brown fans will rejoice; against all odds, their favorite protagonist is back. Read full book review >
Cover art for ALMOST HOME
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
Kirkus Star ALMOST HOME
by Joan Bauer
"Sugar, with her natural gift for rubbing down imperfections, will win readers' hearts. (Fiction. 9-13)"
Through months of homelessness and her mother's breakdown, sixth-grader Sugar Mae Cole and her puppy, Shush, demonstrate what it means to be sweet. Read full book review >
Cover art for ONE YEAR IN COAL HARBOR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star ONE YEAR IN COAL HARBOR
by Polly Horvath
"Ever respectful of the capacity of her audience to comprehend the big words and concepts she deals in, the author delivers a gothic tragicomedy that is both a worthy sequel and as able as Primrose to stand on its own. (Fiction. 9-12)"
One year after the events of Newbery Honor–winning Everything on a Waffle (2001), Primrose Squarp returns, no longer orphaned but just as determined to make everything turn out right. Read full book review >
Cover art for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY: 200 POEMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SQUEAK, SOAR, AND ROAR!
edited by J. Patrick Lewis
"A spectacular collection--"And," the editor notes with remarkable understatement, "the pictures are pretty nice too!" (Poetry. 7-12)"
Gathered by the United States children's poet laureate, 200 (mostly) lighthearted poems from the likes of Basho and Ben Franklin, Leadbelly, Jack Prelutsky and Joyce Sidman share space with eye-popping animal photographs. Read full book review >