61 Starred Reviews (!!)
The most Stars LQ has ever recieved! Time to tally up our starred reviews and celebrate LQ’s best books of the year.
PICTURE BOOKS
ANCIENT NIGHT by David Álvarez, with David Bowles
★ “Wondrous, sparkling and easily one of the best picture books of 2023.”
—BookPage (starred)
★ “Ethereal, whimsical…Like a mighty dream recalled from time gone by.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “Mesmerizing. Captivating. Enchanting.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
★ “Playfully elegant…luminous….Together, the collaborators create a dreamlike story variation that truly shines.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Unmissable…The breathtaking illustrations exude light themselves.”
—Foreword Reviews (starred)
★ “Stunning illustrations by acclaimed Mexican artist Álvarez feature a velvety black backdrop of a sky, stars providing only pinpricks of light...spellbinding, poetic text is lyrical but crisp."
—Horn Book (starred)
DESERT QUEEN by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli
★ “This one-of-a-kind picture book paints a stirringly intimate and reverential portrait of the late drag performer known as Queen Harish… As gorgeous and indefinable as Queen Harish herself, this book belongs on every shelf.” —Booklist (starred)
★ “A fearlessly triumphant depiction of the wonder, magic and sparkle of dance.”
—BookPage (starred)
★ “Celebratory… striking.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred)
★ “Vibrant, kaleidoscopic… Lyrical poetry mirrors the sounds and beats of the local folk music and complements the dreamlike visuals. Evocative and electrifying.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “Both a celebration of art and a manifesto for living on one’s own terms.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “With art as shiny and glittery as the goddess herself, this picture book is nothing short of brilliant. An essential purchase.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
THE RED FRUIT by Lee Gee Eun
★ “Economically drawn and narrated, this translated work from Korea spotlights a bear cub’s naivete and determination… Beautifully transcends its seeming simplicity.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)
WAYS TO PLAY by Lyn Miller-Lachmann, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
★ “Inspired by her own childhood, Miller-Lachmann, who is autistic, is keenly aware that there are many ways of having a good time…Many neurodivergent children will feel seen and affirmed.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “The poignant text teams together with ebullient drawings, delivering a welcome and heartwarming message for all young readers. Many libraries will find this picture book appealing, especially if their collection of stories needs a new and welcome addition with respect to children of all abilities."
—School Library Journal (starred)
MIDDLE GRADE
THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR, THE SELLER OF DREAMS
by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares
★ “An epic adventure with an enduring message about love and family.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
★ “A strange, wondrous, and creative tale. Can family be found along the Silk Road, or will everyone ultimately betray you? An enticing taste of a rich historical world.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “Readers will find more than expected, including tender philosophies, complex characterizations, heaps of humor, a masterful twist, and most importantly, just a great story, beautifully told.”
—Booklist (starred)
★ “Blends playful humor, solid pacing, and fully realized characters into a witty, assassin-studded traveler’s yarn that also serves as a memorable, lively portrait of the 11th-century Silk Road.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
ALEBRIJES by Donna Barba Higuera
★ “An instant classic.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
★ “This heartfelt adventure signals hope for humanity, even in the aftermath of darkness.”
—Kirkus (starred)
★ “Alebrijes is breathtaking… A ferociously epic and beautiful middle-grade dystopian novel.”
—Shelf Awareness (starred)
★ “High-stakes adventure… Beautiful, imaginative writing fills this dystopian sf novel. Though it exposes cruelty and corruption, it raises up storytelling, culture, and kindness as stronger yet… A wondrous addition to any collection.”
—Booklist (starred)
★ “This stellar speculative narrative explores themes of identity across circumstance, centering an adolescent without structural power working to protect family and community.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Higuera brilliantly balances the heaviness of a dystopian future of a ruined Earth with her own blend of science fiction and Mexican folkloric elements once Leandro leaves his human body… Leandro and his unflinching dedication to an uplifting view of humanity that will spark engagement from the first page and linger in the minds of readers well after they finish the novel.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred)
★ “The captivating novel Alebrijes combines humanity and technology with imaginative splendor.” —Foreword (starred)
SALSA MAGIC by Letisha Marrero
★ “Beguiling… Maya’s lively voice dazzles.”"
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Expertly written. Weaves together themes of family trauma, first crushes, spirituality, and history. Uplifting, beautifully rendered.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “Endearing and relatable, and peppered with Spanish. Characters are as diverse as the streets of New York.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
WILD POPPIES by Haya Saleh, translated by Marcia Lynx Qualey
★ “Stark without ever losing sight of hope or the humanity that picks itself up from the rubble of others’ folly, Saleh’s novel blooms with unforgettable beauty.”—Booklist (starred)
LILLIAN VELVET by Jaclyn Moriarty
★ “Readers will have a hard time closing this book… A must-have for any middle grade collection with fantasy lovers, and those who enjoy the likes of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, and Lemony Snicket.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
★ “Enticing… In the nostalgic fantasy novel The Secret of Lillian Velvet, a child gains friendships and fresh insights about herself through extraordinary interdimensional travels.”
—Foreword Reviews (starred)
THE DUBIOUS PRANKS OF SHAINDY GOODMAN by Mari Lowe
★ “Absorbing and principled… Lowe wastes not a word in crafting this taut and emotionally roiled exploration of culpability and forgiveness. Gayil is right–‘sixth grade is hard’–and Shaindy's vulnerability will likely resonate deeply with readers who share Shaindy's longing for acceptance.”
—Shelf-Awareness (starred)
★ “[An] introspective novel full of perceptive emotional observations.”
—Horn Book (starred)
CONTROL FREAKS by J.E. Thomas
★ “[A] warm and funny debut…reminiscent of E.L. Konigsburg’s The View From Saturday.”
—Booklist (starred)
YOUNG ADULT
THE MAKING OF YOLANDA LA BRUJA by Lorraine Avila
★ “Inspiring… full of heart and spirituality.”
—Shelf-Awareness (starred)
★ "A sharply rendered portrait...Avila's striking debut is not to be missed.""
—Booklist (starred)
★ “Unabashedly political…A remarkable, beautifully rendered debut.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “A boldly characterized protagonist whose intersectional identities as a queer and Deaf person of color informs her sharp-witted narrative voice and conviction around combatting racism within her community.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ Heartbreaking… thoughtful and gripping… Avila has created a complex heroine whose identities as a Deaf and queer person of color give a layer of authenticity and intersectionality that will resonate with readers.” —School Library Journal (starred)
PEDRO & DANIEL by Federico Erebia
★ “Devastatingly beautiful.”
—Shelf-Awareness (starred)
★ “Layered, thoroughly riveting telling. A clear portrait of two brothers’ fierce love that is by turns uplifting and heart-wrenching.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “Pedro and Daniel’s journey, whether together or apart, is an unforgettable one of resilience and, most of all, love. Stunning.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
PARDALITA by Joana Estrela, translated by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
★ “This tender, warm book will likely enchant all romantic fans.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)
★ “Intimate…Through a fledgling queer romance, the creator presents a story of change, connection, and transformation.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “The elegant simplicity of this book belies the artistic depth and emotional resonance contained within. Will leave readers in quiet, piercing satisfaction.”
—Booklist (starred)
★ “A leisurely, emotional stroll through a slice-of-life story that explores identity and sexuality in an authentically sweet and subtle way.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
THOSE WHO SAW THE SUN: AFRICAN AMERICAN ORAL HISTORIES FROM THE JIM CROW SOUTH by Jaha Nailah Avery
★ “Profound… Avery’s thoughtful questions and the answers they elicit engage well with the impressive minds, often put-upon bodies, and persisting souls of subjects and readers alike.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)
★ “Powerful… Essential… A vital, nuanced depiction of a fraught period in American history via myriad perspectives.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “These elders’ voices are a collective treasure.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
BROOMS by Jasmine Walls, illustrated by Teo DuVall
★ “Draws on the fantastical to amplify and confront issues of both the past and the present. The result is a heartfelt, gripping, and resonant story about power—how the majority wields it, and how marginalized groups reclaim it.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred)
★ “Fascinating… Though readers will enjoy the dramatic racing scenes, this is truly a story about queer folk and people of color who have created a space where they can joyously and freely be themselves.”
—Booklist (starred)
★ “Pulse-pounding… An evocative Fast and the Furious–flavored graphic novel.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
THE PRINCE & THE COYOTE by David Bowles, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos
★ “Bowles adeptly crafts a complex, multi-format, and genre-bending novel for teens.”
—School Library Journal (starred)
★ “Weaving history and fiction together, David Bowles fashions a rich story of political intrigue, ferocious battles, beautiful landscapes and the enduring hope of humanity.”
—BookPage (starred)
★ “Riveting…A maelstrom of oscillating joy and tragedy.”
—Kirkus (starred)
THE BOY FROM CLEARWATER
by Yu Pei-Yun, illustrated by Zhou Jian-Xin, translated by Lin King
★ “The stupendous achievements here are many: a synergistic literary success; a historic record of twentieth-century Taiwan; the remarkable account of a boy’s life; and a triumph of translation by gifted polyglot King, who artfully rendered the Taiwanese Hoklo, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese in the original. Yu, Zhou, and King complementarily create an exemplary tribute to an extraordinary hero.”
—Booklist (starred)
FIRE FROM THE SKY by Moa Backe Åstot, translated by Eva Apelqvist
★ “A rare and triumphant look at what it means for queerness to stay put. A fresh voice and a setting that’s pure fire.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)
★ “A superb account of one boy’s struggle to be himself. Much of Ante’s experience is universal, and empathic readers will hope urgently for his happiness.”
—Booklist (starred)
THE QUEER GIRL IS GOING TO BE OKAY
by Dale Walls
★ “Timely and emotionally raw….Walls expertly navigates sometimes-overwhelming feelings of grief, internalized self-hatred, and love, as well as the complexity of queer teenage relationships.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ “An enveloping, affirming world and a story that moves at a steady clip, thanks to their witty dialogue interspersed with text messages, emotional gut punches, and profound truths.”
—Booklist (starred)