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Book List
CHILDREN'S
THE BAREFOOT BOOKS WORLD ATLASby Nick Crane & illustrated by David Dean
The balance between information and attractive bookmaking is always important, but atlases like the National Geographic... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
NATIVE DEFENDERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTRead straight through, the serviceable exposition may seem a bit repetitive, but the individual chapters provide excellent... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
ROCK OF IVANOREAn irascible talking wizard’s staff is the only memorable element in this otherwise trite outing. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PEACE, LOVE AND CUPCAKESby Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
Cupcake recipes and baking tips are included in this overlong (for the audience) effort that misses the opportunity to... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE SPINDLERSby Lauren Oliver & illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Richly detailed, at times poetic, ultimately moving; a book to be puzzled over, enjoyed and, ideally, read aloud. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE ADVENTURES OF ACHILLESby Hugh Lupton & Daniel Morden & illustrated by Carole Hénaff
Epic in deed and scope and a-bustle with larger-than-life characters, this retelling of the Iliad will rivet both readers... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PALACE OF STONEby Shannon Hale
Miri’s story comes to a satisfying end; readers who have been waiting since 2005 will find their patience well rewarded. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
HUNTER MORAN SAVES THE UNIVERSEThe boys’ exaggerated escapades make for an appealing read-aloud as well as a successful summer read. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
IVY AND BEAN MAKE THE RULESby Annie Barrows & illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Making the rules rules! (Fiction. 6-9) Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
ROBIN HOODby David Calcutt & illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith
Sure to attract new followers for a perennially popular hero. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
PROFESSOR GARGOYLEDelectable hints of age-appropriate, Lovecraftian Otherness…with none of the purple prose. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
RETURN TO THE WILLOWSby Jacqueline Kelly & illustrated by Clint Young
Funny and warm, this could tempt a new generation toward the raptures of “messing about in boats.” (Animal fantasy. 6-10) Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
SPACEby Mike Goldsmith & illustrated by Sebastian Quigley
A one-trick pony, grounded by uneven production values and low octane content. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE TEMPLETON TWINS HAVE AN IDEAby Ellis Weiner & illustrated by Jeremy Holmes
Templeton Twins hidden in integrand function (5, 3). Read it to solve it! (Fiction. 9-13) Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE GREAT UNEXPECTEDAn enchanting tale to treasure in which ordinary folk find fairies’ gold, run across crooked bridges and mend their broken... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
ACTS OF COURAGEAn opportunity for American children to see a little-known war through a rarely considered lens. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE EMPTY CITYby Erin Hunter
Wild and wonderful adventure for middle-graders. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PUTTING ON THE BRAKESby Patricia O. Quinn & Judith M. Stern
More specific and extensive manuals and workbooks abound, but as a lucid guide to the disorder and its management, this has... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
CITY FISH, COUNTRY FISHby Mary M. Cerullo & photographed by Jeffrey L. Rotman
This attractive new look at underwater life may inspire diving dreams for both city and country readers. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
LAST LAUGHSby J. Patrick Lewis Jane Yolen & illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins
Some spry and inspired grave humor here, but weighed equally with some unimaginative efforts. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BILL THE BOY WONDERby Marc Tyler Nobleman & illustrated by Ty Templeton
Though Finger has been a known commodity to comics cognoscenti for years, this salute in his own format will make the... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
THE SHIMMERS IN THE NIGHTby Lydia Millet
Nicely serious eco-fantasy; may volume three have more cohesive internal logic. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
THE GEOMANCER'S COMPASSNotable for originality but limited by forced writing and shallow characters. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
SAMANTHA SUTTON AND THE LABYRINTH OF LIESHardy readers will be eager to explore another lost world in the promised sequel. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
TROLL HUNTERSby Michael Dahl & illustrated by Ben Kovar
A page-turner. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE HIGH-SKIES ADVENTURES OF BLUE JAY THE PIRATEby Scott Nash & illustrated by Scott Nash
An imaginative premise, fledged in showy if sometimes overdecorated finery. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE TWINNING PROJECTA multi-world adventure starring a band of heroes that readers will want to join. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BEYOND COURAGEThorough, deeply researched and stylistically clear, this is a necessary, exemplary book. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO EXTRA CREDITby Tommy Greenwald & illustrated by J.P. Coovert
No middle schooler wants to face a month at summer enrichment camp, but many will enjoy watching Charlie Joe work harder... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
THE LAST DRAGONSLAYERMostly for Fforde’s fans, although fantasy readers with a taste for the silly should appreciate the subverted tropes. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
WHAT CAME FROM THE STARSSpielberg, get ready for this boldly imagined outer-space offering. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE BOSTON TEA PARTYby Russell Freedman & illustrated by Peter Malone
This slim volume brings to you-are-there life a historical episode often relegated to a sidebar. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BINKY TAKES CHARGEby Ashley Spires & illustrated by Ashley Spires
A purrrfect mix of slapstick, deadpan and catpan. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
DINOS ARE FOREVERby Greg Trine & illustrated by Frank W. Dormer
Lighter-than-air superhero fun. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
PARDON MEby Courtney Sheinmel & illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
Not much happens to Stella, but she’s fun to spend some time with, and now that she’s successfully authored her own whole... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >by Nick Crane & illustrated by David Dean & developed by TouchPress
Not useful for reference, though an enticing plaything for younger armchair travelers. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
GUSTAV GLOOM AND THE PEOPLE TAKERby Adam-Troy Castro & illustrated by Kristen Margiotta
The author leaves much to be explored and explained in future episodes, but fans of Unfortunate Events will be willing to... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
WANTEDby R.L. Stine
Pure, Goosebumps–style terror-by-formula, polished through use to such a high gloss that it slides along frictionlessly—a... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
HOCUS POCUS HOTELby Michael Dahl & illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
With a touch of The Twilight Zone, it's the building and its guests that provide the eeriest entertainment. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
BOY OR BEASTby Bob Balaban ; illustrated by Andy Rash
A wacky story of loyalty and self-discovery. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE BOXCAR CHILDREN BEGINNINGby Patricia MacLachlan & illustrated by Tim Jessell
An approachable lead-in that serves to fill in the background both for confirmed fans and readers new to the series. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS
THE SECRET OF THE STONE FROGby David Nytra & illustrated by David Nytra
Not much here for plot, but fans of the art of Tenniel and his modern descendants (Maurice Sendak, Charles Vess) will find... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >CHILDREN'S
THE RAIDERSby Jørn Riel illustrated by Helen Cann
Not a stand-alone, unlike the opener, but still a worthy tale built around a core of clashing cultures and shared human... Full review >
FULL REVIEW >TEENS & YOUNG ADULT
FROZENA good effort, but not compelling enough to capture many teen readers. Full review >
FULL REVIEW >The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews
Featuring 345 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and YA books; also in this issue: interviews with Bora Chung, Sandra Guzmán, Antony Shugaar, Moa Backe Åstot, and more
subscribeThe Kirkus Star
One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.
The Kirkus Prize
The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.
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