by Emily Hawkins ; illustrated by Jessica Roux ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2020
Worldwide in scope, thoroughly informative, teeming with relentlessly cute poppets.
A scientist’s survey of many types of fairies in their natural habitats.
Cast as the side project of a botanist from early last century (that would be the 1900s), this sumptuously produced scrapbook offers both general and clinical observations on dozens of fairy species—from tiny puffball fairies to (judging from the picture) the squirrel-sized mountain tunder—in gardens, homes, and wild climes ranging from tropical to arctic. Despite having wings (wingless varieties are called “elves”), hatching from eggs, and undergoing metamorphic life cycle transformations from legless “flutterpillars” to adult(ish) “moppets,” these nonmagical creatures are nonetheless classified as mammals by the fictive scientist. Roux follows suit in painted portraits of graceful, pointy-eared, anthropomorphic mites clad in discreet floral or leafy garb and sporting butterfly or insect wings. Rendered in the style of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies, the diminutive figures maintain a white default but do show some variation in skin tones, hair types, and facial features. Stereotypically, all but one of the jungle fairies, including a “pygmy fairy,” are brown-skinned, but specimens resident in other habitats or in adjoining entries often make a diverse showing. Savvy advice for responsible fairy watchers closes this nearly comprehensive (tooth fairies turned out to be too “elusive” to glimpse) catalog.
Worldwide in scope, thoroughly informative, teeming with relentlessly cute poppets. (Fantasy. 10-13)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-78603-763-3
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
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by Emily Hawkins ; illustrated by Lucy Letherland
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by Emily Hawkins & Tom Adams ; illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole
by Dana Middleton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 21, 2021
For anyone who needs a reminder that they are perfect just as they are.
Growing up with a unicorn horn hasn’t been easy for 13-year-old Jewel Conrad; she just wants to be normal.
So when she finds a doctor in California who might be able to remove it, she jumps at the chance. There are only two problems: She hasn’t told her mother yet, and Carmen, the real live unicorn who follows her around, is getting distressed over Jewel’s deep unhappiness with her appearance. The novel’s textured representation includes an examination of how Jewel’s poverty affects her relationship with the world, including living with a single mom in low-income housing in Georgia; sharing a bedroom with her disabled grandmother; and her willingness, born out of desperation, to consider free surgery in exchange for being part of a doctor’s experimental trial. Healthy and fulfilling friendships are contrasted with more shallow, toxic ones as well as some bullying issues at school. The first-person perspective excels at showing Jewel’s internal thoughts and misconceptions. Her hobbies of drawing and reading graphic novels are woven naturally throughout the story as a whole, adding to the richness of characterization. The tension slowly builds to an adventurous climax and a heartwarming ending. Ultimately this is an ode to being different that does not gloss over the difficult aspects of standing out, especially in middle school. Main characters follow a White default.
For anyone who needs a reminder that they are perfect just as they are. (Fiction. 10-13)Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-79720-305-8
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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by Michael Dahl & illustrated by Ben Kovar ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2012
A page-turner.
“Beneath the vast volcanic lakes / Beneath the fiery core, / An ancient, ageless Evil wakes / And starts to rise once more.” This poem sets the tone for a horror tale that offers middle-graders a fast, compelling read.
On the night of the Draconid meteor shower, trolls hungry for human flesh invade the rural town of Zion Falls. Four youngsters—Louise, Pablo, Zak and Thora—are saved by a three-armed man, Dr. Hoo, who predicts that they have magical powers that will save the world. The story mixes trolls from the Norse tradition with constellations from Greco-Roman mythology. Atmosphere builds with changing landscapes: Peaceful countryside morphs to menacing, while the trolls’ underground home is a terrifying inferno. The four kids chosen as heroes have distinct characters and magical powers; other people merely serve the plot. The climax provides surprises and a bittersweet ending. Black-and-white illustrations add to the horror and mood of the story. Compulsive plot, non-stop action and the battle between modern-day good and ancient evil attract boys and girls alike, and the fast-moving narrative, lots of suspense and cumulating violence will keep them reading.
A page-turner. (Horror. 10-13)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4342-4590-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Review Posted Online: April 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
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by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Lauren Lowen
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by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Chris Garbutt
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by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Omar Lozano
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