THE BIRTHDAY ROOM

Kevin Henkes, . . HarperTrophy, $4.95 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-06-443828-5

In a starred review, PW wrote, "Two gifts on a boy's 12th birthday fortuitously bring an entire family closer together. Once again, Henkes explores family relationships with breathtaking tenderness, showing how feelings of guilt, bitterness and fear can be quelled by more deeply rooted love." Ages 8-12. (Aug.)

Featured Children's Reviews

Mindy McGinnis

Via a horror-tinged psychological thriller, McGinnis (A Long Stretch of Bad Days) uses the lens of a whip-smart teen from a family with a history of mental illness to Continue reading »

Christen Randall

Looking for a way to get closer to her boyfriend Chris, 17-year-old Hollis Beckwith—who is fat and has anxiety—tries joining his friends’ campaign of the tabletop role-playing Continue reading »

Adam Gidwitz

After Kristallnacht, things continue getting worse for German Jews, prompting the parents of highly intelligent 11-year-old Max Bretzfeld to send him to England via the Continue reading »

Dave Eggers

Soren, an adolescent humpback whale, finds the traditional songs of his species “outrageously boring,” writes Eggers (Her Right Foot). “Soren wanted to make shorter, catchier Continue reading »