CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"From attractive page design to an afterword that encourages readers to search for their own history, there has been much attention to detail in this handsome volume. (notes, bibliography, art credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)"
This handsome, engaging study of African-American history brings to light many intriguing and tragically underreported stories.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Epic in deed and scope and a-bustle with larger-than-life characters, this retelling of the Iliad will rivet both readers and listening audiences. (bibliography) (Folktale/mythology. 11-14)"
Two veteran storytellers give one of mythology's greatest warriors his due in a narrative rich in drama, tragedy, intense emotion and heroic feats of arms.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Utterly winning. (Fiction. 7-9)"
A warmhearted beginning to a new chapter-book series delights from the first few sentences.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. (Graphic novel. 8-12)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"A morally satisfying page turner. (author's note, archival photographs, maps, timeline, selected bibliography) (Historical fiction. 10-14)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"An intimate look at a soldier's life from a compelling, historical perspective. (author's note, thumbnail biographies, timeline, bibliography) (Historical fiction. 12 & up)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
"Be prepared for young Sasquatch fans roaring for more. (Graphic fantasy. 6-11)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Humanity triumphs over evil and bureaucracy in this heart-rending and heart-affirming story. (postscript, background information on Yarl's Wood and sniffer dogs) (Fiction. 9-14)"
Two 14-year-old boys, one Afghan and one English, find friendship with each other and with two exceptional dogs.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"A thoroughgoing ickfest, elevated by vulnerable but resilient young characters and capped by a righteously ominous closing twist. (Horror fantasy. 11-13)"
A heartwarming friendship tale--played out amid carpets of chittering insects, torture both corporal and psychological, the odd bit of cannibalism and like ghoulish delights.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Realistic, modern and still familiar, this is a middle school story both children and their parents should read. (Fiction. 9-12)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Imaginative and utterly bewitching. (Graphic science fiction. 9-12)"
Lovable Zita returns in a charmingly dashing interplanetary adventure to save yet another doomed planet from impending peril.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"An enchanting tale to treasure in which ordinary folk find fairies' gold, run across crooked bridges and mend their broken hearts. (Fiction. 8-12)"
When Finn falls out of a tree and into the life of Naomi, he brings more than a touch of Ireland's magic.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Though it's filled with incident, emotion, magic and adventure, what stands out most is Trinket's clear voice and loving heart, both of which will endear her to readers. (Fantasy. 8-12)"
Like her main character, Trinket, Thomas clearly loves storytelling, and she has a real talent for it, too.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 4, 2012
"Ever so gently, this fine debut effort explores the power of human kindness as Cally and her father find effective ways to cope with their loss. (Fiction. 8-12)"
In this British import, a girl grieving for her dead mother gives up talking when she becomes convinced that what she says doesn't matter.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"Outstanding nonfiction writing that makes history come alive. (source notes, bibliography, photography credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up) "
Sandler brings to life an extraordinary true adventure tale set on the treacherous Arctic terrain.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
"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)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 13, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 18, 2012
"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.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2012
"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.
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