Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




YA Lit Goes to College


Cover art for ENCHANTED IVY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 12, 2010

"A refreshing entry in the urban-fantasy field and a solid adventure tale. (Fantasy. 12 & up)"
Blithe and flighty at the beginning, the protagonist and plot quickly darken and deepen in this fantasy and magical coming-of-age story set at Princeton. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE IVY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010

"Readers still in high school are sure to be intrigued by college politics and romances, not so dissimilar from their own but with much higher stakes. (Fiction. YA)"
For Callie, getting into Harvard was easy, but fitting in is hard. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ALPHA BET
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2010

"Rounding out this sunny story are a sweet romance with a fellow science geek and social justice for the mean girl. (Fiction. YA)"
Thanks to her diligence in studying, Grace Kelly Cook is able to enroll in college at 16 and flee her helicopter mom. Read full book review >
Cover art for VERY LEFREAK
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 12, 2010

"Readers who have fallen for the hugely likable Very, with her fluid sexuality and snappy dialogue, will feel deflated by the end. (Fiction. YA)"
There's a playlist for every moment of college freshman Very LeFreak's life. Read full book review >
Cover art for PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 11, 2009

"Leigh's concern with sexual readiness will leave readers of all ages doing a little self-analysis and thinking about their own decisions. (Fiction. 16 & up)"
Leigh's psych classes at Stiles College do little to help her understand why sex still doesn't seem like a good idea with her brainy, long-term boyfriend, why she can't stop thinking about his sweet, guitar-playing roommate and why her competitive classmates care so much about making her look stupid. Read full book review >
Cover art for SOPHOMORE SWITCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2009

"Her ostensibly simple, bubble-gum debut is actually chock-full of substance. (Fiction. 14 & up)"
When Tasha's hot-tub exploits hit the tabloids and Emily's boyfriend dumps her, they both look for a quick escape from college. Read full book review >