Granfield (Cowboy, 1994, etc.) takes on the circus with this jam-packed informational book, first published in Canada, and its abundant full-color illustrations and reproductions. The author begins with historical versions of circus-like productions, dating from 2400 b.c. in Egypt, through the ``father of the modern circus,'' Philip Astley, in the 1770s, to the present, with glimpses of the evolution of the circus worldwide. Among the topics: animals, advertising, the circus way of life, development of acts, physical structures, clowns (and the trademarking of clown faces), decorative circus wagons, language, lore, sideshows, and the most famous attractions and owners. While enthusiastically extolling the delights of the circus, Granfield is also aware of the controversies—the treatment of sideshow acts, the lies circulated by competing circuses, and more. She includes scores of sidebars with information on circus-related information; every page offers up a tidbit. If the album weren't already enjoyable to browse, the illustrations are irresistible: posters, signs, postcards, photos, and advertisements, many from the author's own collection. An exceptional resource, with appeal beyond a young audience; almost everyone will find something new here. (index) (Nonfiction. 10+)
Pub Date: March 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-7894-2453-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1998
Marcus is black and Eddie white in a multicultural Long Island neighborhood. Known to all as “Black and White,” they have honed their athletic skills together and are in the midst of a basketball season headed to the playoffs and scholarships to good colleges. They know each other’s timing and rhythm and feel complete trust in each other. However, off the court they have decided to supplement their income by holding up strangers for money for senior activities and the latest athletic shoes. Using Grandpa’s gun from Eddie’s attic, both think their initial success means invincibility. The nightmare that ensues when Eddie inadvertently hits the trigger—and their victim—becomes the playing field for the author’s exploration of how much difference race can make in the fate of each boy and their friendship. Rather than exploring the issue of race by pretending it doesn’t exist, Volponi points directly at it, illustrating at every turn that the race of the various characters influences events as well as whether Marcus will end up in prison alone. Consequences for everyone unfold and escalate in rapid-fire fashion. Hugely discussable. (Fiction. YA)
Pub Date: May 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-670-06006-2
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2005
Delightful.
A sweet second-chance romance set against the backdrop of the Korean entertainment industry.
Eighteen-year-old Min Sori’s life is a far cry from that of the average girl her age. To start with, there are her parents: Her father is a politician with presidential aspirations, and her mother is CEO of Joah, the major record label who signed XOXO, the hottest boy group of the hour. Sori’s relationship with her ambitious, absentee parents isn’t the closest—in fact, it’s strained at best. Sori has her own career as a rising model and Joah trainee, although she’s lost her passion for music and doesn’t really want to be an idol anymore. She just needs to find the courage to tell her mom that. But Sori is exhausted, thanks to her stressful family situation and feelings for ex-boyfriend Nathaniel Lee, XOXO’s Korean American lead vocalist and dancer, who’s extremely off-limits. It doesn’t help that their chemistry is still sizzling or that his family feels more comforting to her than her own. When push comes to shove, she may have to confront her feelings all at once—for Nathaniel, her parents, and her future. This charming companion to XOXO (2021) features lived-in characters and a swoony love story. Romanized Korean is smoothly incorporated throughout the book, and the South Korean setting is richly developed.
Delightful. (Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780063299306
Page Count: 352
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
