Children's Literature at the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library | The School Collection: Children's Literature at the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

I Can’t Eat That! Promoting National Food Allergy Awareness Week

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

The week of May 14th-20th marks the 20th Food Allergy Awareness Week started by Food Allergy Research Education (FARE). To raise awareness of the growing issue of food allergy developments, especially in young children, the list of books below offers delicious, allergy-free recipes and fun, relatable stories that teach kids and adults alike how to safely offer an inclusive food environment at schools, parties, and community gatherings. Between gluten, dairy, nut, soy, and many other food allergies, kids can find it difficult and frustrating to live with such restrictions on their diets. Thankfully, awareness of these allergies is growing and more companies and restaurants are creating products, cookbooks, and meals that help accommodate all diets. Whether you have a child with a food allergy or you’re simply hoping to learn more about them, the list of books below will help educate and hopefully inspire you to raise awareness and make the culinary world a more inclusive place for everyone.

Corn, Tori.
Dixie Wants an Allergy. 2014.
On Dixie’s first day of school, she learns about her fellow classmate’s various food allergies. One classmate gets to order special meals at restaurants due to her wheat allergy. Another student talks about his trip to the emergency room when he accidentally ingested dairy. Dixie becomes jealous of the special treatment these students receive and wishes she could have a food allergy, too, but she soon learns that food allergies certainly aren’t always fun to live with.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. C8143di]

Fliess, Sue.
A Gluten-Free Birthday for Me! 2013.
A birthday party isn’t complete without cake, but what happens when the birthday girl is allergic to gluten? The birthday girl and her mother don’t see this as a problem at all and make a delicious gluten-free chocolate cookie-crumble cake that can be enjoyed by everyone.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. F643g]

Gleeson, Erin.
The Forest Feast for Kids: Colorful Vegetarian Recipes that are Simple to Make. 2016.
Written by best-selling author Erin Gleeson, this gorgeously illustrated cookbook offers simple and delicious vegetarian recipes for kids. Complete with beautiful watercolors hand painted by the author and recipes based on a wholesome, plant-based diet, this cookbook is sure to please any vegetarian chef.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. S.641.5636 G479f]

Gordon, Sherri Mabry.
Peanut Butter, Milk, and Other Deadly Threats: What You Should Know About Food Allergies. 2006.
This book offers explanations and first-person accounts of common food allergies that affect more than 11 million people in the United States. From peanut to milk to wheat allergies, the book offers helpful advice, warnings, and support for those afflicted by or parents of children afflicted by a food allergy.
[SSHEL S-Collection S.616.975 G658p]

Howe, James.
Horace and Morris Say Cheese (Which Makes Dolores Sneeze!). 2009.
Dolores and her friends enjoy spending time doing what they love most: eating cheese! But one day, Dolores has an allergic reaction and discovers that she can no longer eat cheese. Deeply upset, Dolores struggles to find new foods that can replace the cheese she so dearly loves. She soon discovers a knack for creating new, cheese-less recipes that teach her to enjoy eating again.
[SSHEL S-Collection SE. H838hor]

Koster, Gloria.
The Peanut-Free Café. 2006.
For Simon and most of the students at Nutley School, peanut butter is a staple during lunchtime. But when new student Grant shows up to Nutley and explains his peanut allergy, problems arise. The students decide to open a “Peanut-Free Café” to include Grant during lunchtime and learn that there’s more to life than peanut butter.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SE. K8481p]

Kruszka, Bonnie J.
Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease. 2004.
Emily, a five-year-old girl, starts feeling pain and discomfort whenever she eats, but she can’t understand why. She is soon diagnosed with Celiac Disease and learns what living a “gluten-free lifestyle” means. Though she finds the new diet challenging at times, Emily learns how to enjoy gluten-free food, how to express her frustrations with her parents, and how to continue enjoying her life as a fun-loving girl who just happens to have some dietary restrictions.
[SSHEL S-Collection S. K946e]

Miller, Edward.
The Monster Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active & Feeling Great for Monsters & Kids! 2006.
With a charming monster as its main character, this book helps teach kids the importance of eating healthy and staying active. By explaining the food pyramid, healthy alternatives to junk food, common food allergies, and healthy body image, this book is the perfect guide to help kids adopt a healthy lifestyle.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. S.613.7 M613m]

Ware, Cheryl.
Venola the Vegetarian. 2008.
Seventh grader Venola is already starting her year with some big changes: her mom is pregnant, her role model is sick, and a particularly eye-opening science class inspires her to become a vegetarian. Venola navigates middle school as best as she can and teaches herself how to prepare healthy, delicious vegetarian meals for herself and her growing family.
[SSHEL S-Collection S. W22v]

Zevy, Aaron.
No Nuts for Me. 1995.
Follow young Noah around during a typical week of school, shopping with mom, and attending a friend’s birthday party. As you learn about his life, you’ll also learn about his nut allergy. Noah explains to readers that he has to be very careful about the food he eats and he always carries his EpiPen with him. His assures the reader that his allergy doesn’t stop him from having fun, though!
[SSHEL S-Collection S.616.975 Z61N]

The Show Must Go On! Actors, Musicians, and Other Creative Folks

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

In the midst of Hollywood’s award season, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the glitz and glamour of famous stars. Famous actors and actresses walk the red carpet in beautiful designer outfits. Famous musicians put on spectacular shows during Grammy performances, sold-out concerts, and Super Bowl half-time shows. Famous authors and painters might not always get as much time in the limelight, but they still produce entertaining and thoughtful pieces of literature and art. If you’ve ever wondered how these famous people got started, look no further! Browse the list of books below to discover the humble beginnings and fascinating inspirations of some of the world’s greatest artists.

To find more children’s books about famous artists, please use our online catalog and search subject terms similar to “artists” and “juvenile” or “musicians” and “juvenile” in the advanced search boxes. Feel free to use whatever artistic career you’re interested in and see what inspiring books you find in our S-Collection.

Actors and Actresses

Cardillo, Margaret.
Just Being Audrey. 2011.
This enchanting tale features colorful illustrations that truly bring to life the tale of Audrey Hepburn’s journey to fame. With childhood dreams of becoming Europe’s top ballerina, Audrey is faced with a multitude of road blocks that lead her to the world of acting instead. An incredibly delightful read.
[SSHEL S-Collection SB. H5292c]

Michelson, Richard.
Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy. 2016.
True to its title, this book tells the fascinating life of Leonard Nimoy and his journey to starring in one of the most popular television shows of all time: Star Trek. From a young age, Nimoy loved to perform, but his parents wanted him to set his sights on a more practical career, like becoming a musician. Nimoy never quit on his dream and did everything in his power to reach the stardom he always knew he was capable of achieving.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. N713m]

Yoo, Paula.
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story. 2009.
An inspiring story of how famous actress Anna May Wong overcame racism and adversity in Hollywood to proudly represent people of Asian descent on film. Disgusted with being cast in stereotypical roles and watching white actors perform in “yellow face,” Anna May Wong moves from California to China to act in roles that respectfully and truthfully represent her culture.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. W84y]

Artists

Herkert, Barbara.
Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter. 2015.
With simple text and beautiful impressionist-style illustrations, this book dives into the life of Mary Cassatt, a champion for female empowerment in the art world. Overcoming adversity as a woman in the 1800s, Mary proves that anyone can create beautiful, inspiring art.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. C343h]

Rubin, Susan Goldman.
Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter. 2006.
Full of bold colors, family photographs, and pictures of Andy’s art, this book tells the story of Andy Warhol’s life, from a young boy from Pittsburgh who loved to draw to the wildly famous, eccentric artist who turned a Campbell’s soup can into a world-renowned painting.
[SSHEL S-Collection SB. W275r]

Rubin, Susan Goldman.
Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. 2007.
The story of famous artist Edward Hopper’s life and maturation as an artist in the early half of 20th Century America. Each page includes pictures of Hopper’s drawings and paintings, starting from his earliest sketches to his most famous painting, Nighthawks.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. H798r]

Winter, Jonah.
Frida. 2002.
The inspiring story of Frida Khalo’s incredible resilience. After suffering from a bus accident that nearly killed her, Frida endured the constant pain that enveloped her body by escaping through her art. As the daughter of a photographer and painter, Frida learned a love of art from her father and let her imagination lead her life. A simple yet beautiful read.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. S. 759.972 W734f]

Musicians

Golio, Gary.
When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan. 2011.
A story that proves the truly life-changing effects of folk music. Whenever he felt alone or sad, Bob Dylan channeled his emotions into the music he listened to and performed. Never deterred by his humble beginnings, Bob strove to make his idol, Hank Williams, proud by singing songs about the honest struggles of life. Complete with quotes from Bob and stunning illustrations throughout.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. D996g]

Reich, Susanna.
Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles. 2015.
With space dedicated to each of the member’s childhoods and backgrounds, this book tells the story of how the Beatles let their shared passion for music change the history of the music scene forever. An incredibly interesting read for anyone who loves these British icons.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. S.782.421660922 R2711f]

Russell-Brown, Katheryn.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. 2014.
A bright and colorful tale of Melba Liston’s journey to stardom as a female trombone player. As a little girl, Melba loved jazz music and knew she was meant to play the trombone. She gracefully overcame racist and sexist comments that people directed toward her for being a black woman touring the country in a jazz band. She let her voice be heard through her trombone and played along fellow famous musicians across the world.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. L698r]

Winter, Jonah.
How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz. 2015.
A magical telling of the life and accomplishments of Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe (famously known as Jelly Roll Morton). Complete with song lyrics, a “recipe for jazz,” and an inviting second-person narration, the story of this “father of jazz” is a true delight.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. M889w]

Writers

Burleigh, Robert.
Langston’s Train Ride. 2004.
Written in first-person point of view, this beautiful story lets readers enter the mind of a young Langston Hughes as he finds inspiration for his famous poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” With stunning visual and verbal artistry throughout, this book offers a unique look at this famous poet’s early life and works.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. L285b]

Krull, Kathleen.
Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum. 2008.
A dazzling tale of L. Frank Baum’s life, starting from his golden childhood to the everyday adventures he found as inspiration while writing his best-selling children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. A great story that reminds you to always keep a sense of wonder and a love for adventure.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. B327k]

Landmann, Bimba.
In Search of the Little Prince: The Story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. 2014.
A lovely telling of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s remarkable life as an adventurous, daring pilot and author. As a young boy, Antoine was fascinated by airplanes and the ability to fly, so he dedicated his life to becoming a pilot. From fighting in both world wars to transporting international mail to writing about his terrific adventures, Antoine lived his life to the absolute fullest.
[SSHEL S-Collection Q. SB. S137l]

Wallner, Alexandra.
Beatrix Potter. 1995.
From playing with her family’s pet rabbit, Peter, to becoming England’s self-professed expert on mushrooms, Beatrix surrounded herself with nature and loved to write about and paint her surroundings. As a woman in the late 19th to early 20th Century, however, Beatrix faced a lot of sexist critics who didn’t take her writing seriously. Beatrix was never deterred, however, and she went on to write dozens of delightful children’s stories that are still loved today.
[SSHEL S-Collection SB. P866w]

America’s Road to Freedom

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

It seems as though no matter where you turn nowadays, you encounter a new controversial article, news segment, or social media post about American politics. From the current state of unrest in the American political system to the craze surrounding the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, the concept of freedom in America is at the forefront of many people’s minds. But just how did we acquire our freedom? What monumental decisions did our founding fathers have to make in order to create the very first ideals of “the American dream?” And, most importantly, how have these actions and ideals survived and adapted to the America we know today?

Books on the topic of American freedom and government can be found by searching the online catalog using subject terms similar to “politics and government” and “juvenile” or “United States Constitution” and “juvenile” in the advanced search boxes.

Explore the list of books below to learn more about America’s rocky and resilient journey to freedom.

The Founding Fathers

Fritz, Jean.
Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider. 2011.
The fascinating story of Alexander Hamilton’s life, death, and influence on the creation of America’s government is told in this chapter book. A great read for Hamilton fans or anyone interested in the founding father’s fraught life.
[SSHEL S Collection SB.H217f]

Fritz, Jean.
Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution. 1987.
Complemented by colorful illustrations, the story of the Constitution’s creation is told. Important names, dates, and Congressional debates are highlighted throughout.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.7302 F919S]

Mack, Stan.
Taxes, the Tea Party, and those Revolting Rebels: A History in Comics of the American Revolution. 2012.
This fun book of comic strips follows America’s path from its earliest revolts for freedom to its emergence as an independent country. The engaging format helps make America’s complicated history exciting and accessible for readers of any age.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.3 M1901t]

Weidner, Daniel.
Creating the Constitution: The People and Events that Formed the Nation. 2002.
Beginning with the weaknesses of the Article of Confederation, this book discusses the various governmental plans and concepts that led to the Constitution’s creation. It delves into descriptions and explanations of each Constitutional amendment.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.73029 W426c]

The Declaration of Independence

Nardo, Don.
The Declaration of Independence. 2003.
With brief entries about key protests and meetings leading up to America’s freedom, this book offers a highly informative summary of the Declaration of Independence’s creation.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.3 N166d]

Pierce, Alan.
The Declaration of Independence. 2005.
Filled with historic paintings and political cartoons, this book follows the events that led to America’s rebellion for freedom, Jefferson’s influence on the important document, and the continued legacy of the Declaration of Independence.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.313 P611d]

St. George, Judith.
The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence. 2005.
A colorful and interactive book that prompts the reader with questions about the Declaration of Independence’s history throughout the story. An incredibly informative adventure awaits all readers.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.973.3 St103j]

Yero, Judith Lloyd.
The Declaration of Independence. 2006.
Striking images stand out in this detailed book about America’s journey to freedom and the document that paved the way to a free nation. It includes the Declaration of Independence’s influence on civil rights movements throughout the country’s history. Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the declaration is included in the back.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.313 Y45d]

The Constitution

Catrow, David.
We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. 2002.
Colorful, creative, and full of wonder, this book incorporates the preamble of the Constitution into a story about a group of children going on a camping trip. A perfect introduction to the Constitution.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.7302 C293w]

Finkelman, Paul.
The Constitution. 2006.
Part of National Geographic’s American Documents series, this book explains the history, structure, and continuing influence of the Constitution on America’s past and present government. A glossary of important terms and the entire Constitution are included.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.7302 F495c]

Sobel, Syl.
The U.S. Constitution and You. 2012.
This book acts as a brief, easy-to-read reference book for anyone interested in the Constitution’s contents and the inner-workings of the U.S. government.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.7302 So121u]

Spier, Peter.
We the People: The Constitution of the United States. 2014.
The preamble of the Constitution is beautifully woven throughout colorful drawings of America’s past and present. The second half of this book offers information explaining the creation of the Constitution. The entire Constitution is included in the very back of the book.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.73029 Sp44wc2014]

Travis, Cathy.
Constitution: Translated for Kids. 2006.
This book is filled with kid-friendly explanations of each individual article and amendment. Lists of important vocabulary words and definitions are included throughout. This is a great source for anyone interested in better understanding the often complicated language of the Constitution.
[SSHEL S Collection S.342.7302 T698c]

American Freedom Today

Granfield, Linda.
America Votes: How Our President is Elected. 2003.
A history and explanation of voters’ rights, campaign vocabulary, the Electoral College, and election procedures. A great introduction to America’s unique voting process.
[SSHEL S Collection S.324.6 G765a]

Grodin, Elizabeth.
D is for Democracy: A Citizen’s Alphabet. 2004.
An incredibly comprehensive guide for learning about America’s democratic government. This book uses the alphabet to highlight important people, events, and functions of America’s history and government.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.320.973 G892d]

Maestro, Betsy.
The Voice of the People: American Democracy in Action. 1996.
Another great guide for learning about America’s government, democratic values, and entire political system. Specific information about the inner-workings of Congress, national conventions, primaries, elections, and presidential duties are included.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.324.973 M268V]

Myers, Walter Dean.
We are America: A Tribute from the Heart. 2011.
A beautiful tale of America’s fraught history and present diverse culture written in poetic verse and interspersed with meaningful quotes from prominent figures in American history. A truly relevant and effective read.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.811.54 M9929w]

Raczka, Bob.
The Art of Freedom: How Artists See America. 2008.
Featuring images of paintings, photographs, statues, and artifacts, this inspiring book highlights important ideals, places, and past-times that make up America’s diverse and ever-changing atmosphere.
[SSHEL S Collection S.704.9 R115a]

Stories Without Words

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

We often tell people that actions speak louder than words or that a picture is worth a thousand words. Wordless books are a clear example of how stories can be told without words. These books can be used with children and youth to encourage them to think critically about what is happening in the story and make their own observations.

Some authors who have created multiple wordless picture books include: Lena Anderson, Mitsumasa Anno, Peter Collington, Alexandra Day, Tomie DePaola, John S. Goodall, Tana Hoban, Fernando Krahn, Barbara Lehman, Leo Lionni, Mercer Mayer, Helen Oxenbury, Peter Spier, Nancy Tafuri, and David Wiesner.

Additional lists of wordless books can be found in the School Collection guide for wordless books or the online catalog can be searched for the subject “stories without words.”

Below are a few wordless books that might just spark a conversation, or some giggles, with a child.

Wordless books

Colon, Raul.
Draw! 2014.
In this wordless picture book, a boy who is confined to his room fills his sketch pad with lions and elephants, then imagines himself on a safari.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. C718d]

Guojing.
The Only Child. 2015.
A little girl, lost and alone, follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world. But… home and family are very far away. How will she get back there? Guojing’s story shows one aspect of growing up under China’s one-child policy.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. G9592o]

Hegbrook, Thomas.
Nature. 2016.
Explore the beauty and wonder of nature in this wordless picture book — and let your imagination bring everything to life! Stunning artwork captures the lives of a variety of animals and bugs in their natural surroundings and the changes that occur as they endure the passage of time, from birth to adulthood, winter to autumn, and more.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.578 H3617n]

Newgarden, Mark and Megan Montague Cash.
Bow-Wow’s Nightmare Neighbors. 2014.
As Bow-Wow naps, his neighbors creep in and steal his cozy green bed. When the expressive pup tries to get it back, colorful chaos ensues as the house next door might not be exactly what he thought.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB SE. N45bn]

Nolan, Dennis.
Hunters of the Great Forest. 2014.
On a warm night, a band of hunters sets out on a journey. As they travel over hills, through thickets of trees, and around mountains, nothing will keep them from their ultimate goal. What that goal is may surprise you.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB Q. SE. N71h]

Nordling, Lee and Meritxell Bosch.
BirdCatDog: a graphic novel. 2014.
Tells the story of a bird, a cat, and a dog through wordless comics. Everyone is a hero in his own story and every story is connected.
[SSHEL S Collection S.741.5973 N758bi]

Slater, David Michael
The Boy & the Book: a Wordless Story. 2015.
In this wordless story, a library book tries desperately to evade the destructive clutches of a little boy. What drives the Boy, however, is enthusiasm and love — not malice — and the Book eventually responds in kind, accepting his rough but worthy fate.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. Sl151bo]

Thomson, Bill.
Chalk. 2010.
A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some magical chalk, and draw pictures that come to life.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. T3824c]

Zagarenski, Pamela.
The Whisper. 2015.
Step inside the pages of a little girl’s magical book as she discovers the profound and inspiring notion that we each bring something different to the same story.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. Z133w]

Fairy Tales Retold

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

Fairy tales have been retold through various cultures and mediums for generations. Contemporary retellers of fairy tales mix fantasy and realism, fleshing out characters and exposing new ideas. These tales build on traditional fairy tales to create new works of fantasy. This list is organized by tale, including stories with a variety of fairy tale references.

Retellings of Multiple Fairy Tales

Beck, Ian.
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart. 2007.
When young Tom Trueheart’s seven older brothers all go missing during their adventures in the Land of Stories, he embarks on a perilous mission to save them and to capture the rogue story-writer who wants to do away with the heroes. Their adventures involve Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and more.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B3884s]

Blubaugh, Penny.
Serendipity Market. 2009.
When the world begins to seem unbalanced, Mama Inez calls ten storytellers to the Serendipity Market and, through the power of their magical tales, the balance of the world is corrected once again. The tales include re-tellings of The Princess and the Pea, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and more.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B624s]

Buckley, Michael.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives. 2005.
Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead. They solve crimes involving the Everafters, the magical creatures and people of fairy tales and fantasy, who are trapped in their town. The Sisters Grimm appear in many sequels: book two is titled The Unusual Suspects.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B856s]

Durst, Sarah Beth.
Into the Wild. 2007.
Having escaped from the Wild and the preordained fairy tale plots it imposes, Rapunzel, along with her daughter Julie Marchen, tries to live a fairly normal life, but when the Wild breaks free and takes over their town, it is Julie who has to prevent everyone from being trapped in the events of a story. In sequel Out of the Wild, Julie again protects her world from a dark force using her naïve father for evil.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D939i]

Gruber, Michael.
The Witch’s Boy. 2005.
Lump is a foundling, raised by a witch and her strange friends. But when he is cruelly treated by the people of the outside world, he turns against his mother. Only through tragedy and pain does he come to accept himself and learn his heart’s desire. Elements of fairy tales, including Rumpelstiltskin and Hansel and Gretel are incorporated throughout the story.
[SSHEL S Collection S. G921w]

Maguire, Gregory.
The Dream Stealer. 1983.
This fantasy combines elements from several Russian fairy tales, including the magical Firebird, Baba Yaga the witch, and the beautiful Vasilissa.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M276d]

Beauty and the Beast

Baratz-Logsted, Lauren.
Crazy Beautiful. 2009.
In this contemporary retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” a teenaged boy whose hands were amputated in an explosion and a gorgeous girl whose mother has recently died form an instant connection when they meet on their first day as new students.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B2319c]

Jay, Stacey.
Of Beast and Beauty. 2013.
When nineteen-year-old Gem of the Desert People, called “Monstrous” by the Smooth Skins, becomes the prisoner of the seventeen-year-old Smooth Skin queen, Isra, age-old prejudices begin to fall aside as the two begin to understand each other.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. J333o]

McKinley, Robin.
Rose Daughter. 1997.
McKinley’s second retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with a very different ending from the traditional story.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M2152r]

McKinley, Robin.
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast. 1978.
This retelling follows the traditional plot while fleshing out the characters and bringing new life to the fairy tale.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.M2152B]

Napoli, Donna Jo.
Beast. 2000.
Set in Persia, this is the story of the Beast before Beauty arrives as well as the traditional plot of their tale.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. N162be]

Cinderella

Ensor, Barbara.
Cinderella (as if you didn’t already know the story). 2006.
In this updated version of the Cinderella story, Cinderella writes letters to her dead mother apologizing for not being more assertive, which she remedies soon after marrying the prince. Readers will delight in following Cinderella through all the usual happenings, presented in a most unusual way.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.398.2 En79c]

Farjeon, Eleanor.
The Glass Slipper. 1956.
This novel length retelling of Cinderella adds new elements while retaining the classic plot of a young girl who dreams of attending a ball.
[SSHEL S Collection S. F228G]

Haddix, Margaret Peterson.
Just Ella. 1999.
Ella has gotten her fairy tale ending and her prince; but is that truly what she wants? A continuation of the story of Cinderella.
[SSHEL S Collection S. H1172j]

Levine, Gail Carson.
Ella Enchanted. 1997.
Why was Cinderella so good and obedient? In Levine’s retelling, Ella is under a curse, forcing her to be obedient to everyone; even her wicked stepmother and her nasty stepsisters. Will the prince rescue her from her miserable family? Or will Ella rescue herself from the curse of obedience?
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L5788E]

Lo, Malinda.
Ash. 2009.
In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King’s Huntress whom she loves.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L7804a]

Marriott, Zoe.
Shadows on the Moon. 2012.
Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume, who is able to re-create herself in any form, is destined to use her skills to steal the heart of a prince in a revenge plot.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M349sm]

Meyer, Marissa.
Cinder. 2012.
As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story. The Lunar Chronicles also include Scarlet, Cress, and Winter.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M57572c]

Napoli, Donna Jo.
Bound. 2004.
This retelling is based on Chinese Cinderella stories. When Xing Xing’s stepmother binds only her own daughter’s feet, she cuts Xing Xing off from a suitable marriage. Bound to a life of servitude, Xing Xing must eventually break free of her stepmother’s power and make a new life for herself.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. N162b]

Pullman, Philip.
I Was a Rat! 2000.
When Cinderella flees from the castle, she leaves one of her transformed page boys behind. He and the princess must both adjust to their new worlds.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. N162b 2000]

East of the Sun and West of the Moon

Durst, Sarah Beth.
Ice. 2009.
A modern-day retelling of “East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon” in which eighteen-year-old Cassie learns that her grandmother’s fairy tale is true when a Polar Bear King comes to claim her for his bride and she must decide whether to go with him and save her long-lost mother, or continue helping her father with his research.
[SSHEL S Collection S. D939ic]

George, Jessica Day.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. 2008.
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. G2935s]

Pattou, Edith.
East. 2003.
This retelling is based on the Norse tale, East of the Sun and West of the Moon but also includes elements of the better-known Beauty and the Beast. Set in the Arctic lands, this is a fantastical epic with strong characters.
[SSHEL S Collection S. P2784e]

Little Red Riding Hood

Vande Velde, Vivian.
Cloaked in Red. 2010.
Presents eight twists on the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood, exploring such issues as why most characters seem dim-witted and what, exactly, is the theme.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. V28cl]

Weston, Robert Paul.
Dust City. 2010.
Henry Whelp, son of the Big Bad Wolf, investigates what happened to the fairies that used to protect humans and animalia, and what role the corporation that manufactures synthetic fairy dust played in his father’s crime.
[SSHEL S Collection S. W5283d]

Sleeping Beauty

Baker, E.D.
The Wide-Awake Princess. 2010.
Annie, younger sister of the princess who would be known as Sleeping Beauty, is immune to magic and stays awake when the rest of the castle falls into an enchanted sleep, then sets out to find a way to break the spell.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B1712w]

Hale, Bruce.
Snoring Beauty. 2008.
An adaptation of the traditional tale, featuring a sleeping, snoring princess who is rescued by a prince after being cursed by a bad fairy.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S. 398.2H13s]

Lowe, Helen.
Thornspell. 2008.
In this elaboration of “Sleeping Beauty,” Prince Sigismund, having grown up in a remote castle dreaming of going on knightly quests, has had only a passing interest in the forbidden wood lying beyond the castle gates until a brief encounter with a beautiful and mysterious lady changes his life forever.
[SSHEL S Collection S. L95142t]

McKinley, Robin.
Spindle’s End. 2000.
When Briar Rose is cursed by the evil Pernicia, a young fairy takes her away to be raised safely in the country. When she learns of her true heritage, she must not only defeat the evil fairy, but choose how she will live; as a princess or as simple Rosie.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M2152sp]

Yolen, Jane.
Briar Rose. 2002.
Becca has always loved her grandmother, Gemma, and treasures her telling of Sleeping Beauty. When Becca begins to trace her grandmother’s history, Gemma’s constant retelling of Sleeping Beauty takes on a new, tragic significance.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Y78br2002]

Yolen, Jane.
Curse of the Thirteenth Fey: The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty. 2012.
Accident-prone, thirteen-year-old Gorse, the youngest fairy in her family, falls into a trap while on her way to the palace to bless the newborn princess, Talia, but arrives in time to give a gift which, although seemingly horrific, may prove to be a real blessing in this take-off on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Y78cu]

Snow White

Harrison, Mette Ivie.
Mira, Mirror. 2004.
This is the story of the magic mirror used by Snow White’s stepmother. Trapped in the mirror by the woman she had thought her sister, Mira’s quest for freedom eventually leads her to true freedom and understanding of her sister.
[SSHEL S Collection S. H247m]

Levine, Gail Carson.
Fairest. 2006.
Aza has hair as black as ebony, lips as red as blood, and skin as white as snow; and everyone thinks she’s ugly. In a land where conventional beauty and singing are highly valued, her looks make her an outcast until she learns to control and accept her magical voice and her unique appearance.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L5788fa]

Yolen, Jane.
Snow in Summer. 2011.
Recasts the tale of Snow White, setting it in West Virginia in the 1940s with a stepmother who is a snake-handler.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Y78sn]

Anthropomorphic Animal Fantasy

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Nancy O'Brien

These are stories of quests, battles, cultures, and journeys with animals as their protagonists. The animals have anthropomorphic (human-type) characteristics, relationships, dilemmas, and thoughts. Very few of these stories involve humans and in those that do, the animals remain the central characters.

Adams, Richard.
Watership Down. 1972.
A group of rabbits embark on a tumultuous journey to find a new warren where they can live in peace.
[SSHEL S Collection S. AD191w1974]

Avi.
Poppy. 1995.
Poppy and her boyfriend Ragweed are mice of Dimwood Forest, bullied and controlled by the cruel owl Mr. Ocax. After Ragweed’s tragic death, Poppy begins to fight back against the owl’s control and discovers new hope for her family and herself. Poppy’s saga continues in the series Tales of Dimwood Forest.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. AV51PO]

Baldry, Cherith.
The Silver Horn. 2002.
Vair, a young pine marten, is excited to be attending his first challenge at the fair. But when his father is killed and he is taken captive by thieves, Vair must fight to regain his freedom and save Watersmeet. The Silver Horn begins the Eaglesmount Trilogy.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B1932s]

Bell, Clare.
Ratha’s Creature. 1983.
The Named, forerunners of the sabertooth, have an extensive culture and society. However, their primitive foes, the Un-Named, are slowly destroying them. When Ratha discovers the power of fire, both tragedy and a new hope result. The next book in The Named series is Clan Ground.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. B4135R]

Clement-Davies, David.
Fire Bringer. 2000.
A tyrannical lord of the herd has risen and has legions of bucks sharpening their antlers to take over the animal world. But there is a prophecy that a deer with the mark of the oak leaf will be born who will have a bond with all creatures and will free the herd of its tyrannical leader. Into this world the young buck Rannoch is born and sets out on an extraordinary journey.
[SSHEL S Collection S. C5915f]

Clement-Davies, David.
The Sight. 2002.
In Transylvania during the Middle Ages, a pack of wolves sets out on a perilous journey to prevent their enemy from calling upon a legendary evil — one that will give her the power to control all animals. The Sight is continued by Fell.
[SSHEL S Collection S. C591si]

DiCamillo, Kate.
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. 2003.
The adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess whom he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D547t]

Epstein, Adam Jay.
The Familiars. 2010.
When a scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, Aldwyn and his fellow “familiars,” a know-it-all blue jay and bumbling tree frog, must save the kingdom after the evil queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two other wizards. Aldwyn and the familiars return in Secrets of the Crown.
[CCB S. Ep851f]

Fan, Nancy Yi.
Swordbird. 2007.
Warring factions of blue jays and cardinals call on Swordbird, the heroic bird of peace, to rescue them from the evil machinations of Turnatt, the tyrant hawk lord who plans to enslave them. Continue the adventures in Sword Quest.
[CCB S. F212s]

Hoeye, Michael.
Time Stops for No Mouse. 2002.
Hermux Tantamoq is a watchmaker; a quiet mouse who appreciates the simple things of life. But when he meets Ms. Linka Perflinger, adventuress and aviatrix, he is suddenly caught up in dangerous adventures. The Hermux Tantamoq Adventures continue in the next installment, Sands of Time.
[SSHEL S Collection S. H672t]

Hunter, Erin.
Into the Wild. 2003.
Four clans of wild cats have lived in the forest for generations. But now a mysterious danger is destroying ThunderClan. Rusty, an ordinary house cat, saves the clan and becomes Fireheart.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. H9169w]
Note: Erin Hunter is a pseudonym used by multiple authors. There are over 10 other Warriors series, such as Warriors: The New Prophecy. For a listing of series and the order of series books please see the website Fantastic Fiction.

Iserles, Inbali.
The Tygrine Cat. 2008.
Lost and alone, Mati seeks acceptance from a pack of feral cats at Cressida Lock, but in order to defeat the assassin on his trail, Mati must unlock the secret of his true identity and learn to harness an ancient and deadly feline power.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Is2t]

Jacques, Brian.
Redwall. 1986.
Matthias the mouse is the least of the novices at the great Redwall Abbey. But when the evil rat Cluny and his horde attack, Matthias’ dreams of becoming a warrior become a reality. Each of the stories in this series tells of the history of a place or event; Salamandastron, home of the badger lords and the fighting hares of the Long Patrol, the building of Redwall Abbey after the evil wildcats of Mossflower are destroyed, or the history of Redwall’s patron, Martin the Warrior.
[CCB S. J164R]

Jarvis, Robin.
Dark Portal. 2000.
The Deptford mice lead a quiet and peaceful life, except for the dark shadow of the Grill, the only thing separating them from the horrible sewer rats. Only with the help of the mystical bats will the mice be able to survive the evil of the rats and the secret horror of their god, Jupiter. The next book in the Deptford Histories is The Alchemist’s Cat.
[SSHEL S Collection S. J298d]

Jones, Allan.
Trundle’s Quest. 2011.
Trundle Boldoak’s simple life as the town lamplighter is turned upside-down the night he meets Esmeralda, a Roamany hedgehog, who whisks him away on a quest to find six fabled crowns and fulfill his role in an ancient prophecy. The quest continues in Fair Wind to Widdershins.
[CCB S. J7113tr]

Lasky, Kathryn.
Lone Wolf. 2010.
Abandoned by his pack, a baby wolf with a mysterious mark on his deformed paw survives and embarks on a journey that will change the world of the Wolves of the Beyond. Follow the characters in the sequel, Shadow Wolf.
[CCB S. L335l]

McAllister, M. I.
Urchin of the Riding Stars. 2005.
Urchin, an orphan squirrel, is raised by a kindly squirrel on the island of Mistmantle. Just when he thinks he will be spending the rest of his life unloading ships as one of the king’s work parties, he is given a wonderful opportunity. But on the first day of his new life, a terrible thing happens and Urchin finds himself the center of a dangerous plot. The Mistmantle Chronicles continues with Urchin and the Heartstone.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M117u]

Oppel, Kenneth.
Silverwing. 1997.
Shade is the runt of his Silverwing bat colony but he is determined to prove himself on the journey to Hibernaculum. When he is separated from the other bats, he must complete the long and dangerous journey alone. Two sequels, Sunwing and Firewing, as well as a prequel, Darkwing, follow the first installment.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCBH S. Op5s]

Sharp, Margery.
The Rescuers. 1959.
The Prisoners’ Aid Society has received news of a Norwegian poet, languishing in the fearsome Black Castle. Their only way to reach him is through Miss Bianca, pet of the diplomat’s son. Practical Bernard makes the journey and persuades Miss Bianca to help them. Against her will, the delicate lady mouse soon becomes entangled in a world of intrigue and danger — danger that continues in many sequels!
[SSHEL Oak Street and CCB S. SH228R]

Steig, William.
Abel’s Island. 1985.
Abel the mouse is torn from his comfortable life and stranded on an island by a storm. As he learns to survive in the wilderness, he discovers skills he never thought he had and finally gains the courage to find his way home.
[SSHEL S Collection S. St33A1985]

Stewart, Sharon.
Raven Quest. 2005.
Tok, the most nimble-winged of the young ravens, is banished for a crime he did not commit, and the only way he can restore his honor and his father’s name is to perform a brave and daring deed to benefit all ravenkind.
[SSHEL S Collection S. St498r]

Wagner, Hilary.
Nightshade City. 2010.
Eleven years after the cruel Killdeer took over the Catacombs far beneath the human’s Trillium City, Juniper Belancourt, assisted by Vincent and Victor Nightshade, leads a maverick band of rats to escape and establish their own city. The White Assassin is the next installment in the Nightshade Chronicles.
[SSHEL S Collection S. W1254n]

Arthurian Fantasy

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Nancy O'Brien

King Arthur

Cabot, Meg.
Avalon High. 2006.
Having moved to Annapolis, Maryland, with her medievalist parents, high school junior Ellie enrolls at Avalon High School where several students may or may not be reincarnations of King Arthur and his court.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. C1121a]

Clement-Davies, David.
The Telling Pool. 2005.
Relying on true courage and true love, as well as some surprising connections to the Arthurian legends, a young Welsh teenager named Rhodri embarks on a quest to remove an ancient curse from Great Britain during the reign of Richard the Lionheart.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. C4915t]

Crossley-Holland, Kevin.
The Seeing Stone. 2001.
In late twelfth-century England, a thirteen-year-old boy named Arthur recounts how Merlin gives him a magical seeing stone which shows him images of the legendary King Arthur, the events of whose life seem to have many parallels to his own. The Seeing Stone begins the Arthur Trilogy.
[SSHEL Oak Street and CCB S. C8841se]

Curry, Ann.
The Book of Brendan. 1989.
When the evil magician Myrddin appears, determined to subdue the monks of Holybury Abbey and the surrounding villages, Father Brendan and his young friends must rely on magical beasts and the help of Arthur, Guinevere, and Merlin, summoned from their sleep on the Isles of Truth.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. C9372B]

Curry, Jane Louise.
The Sleepers. 1968.
A prophecy inscribed on stone, a bronze Celtic bell, a fabled tree, and a long, straight passageway beneath a hill-threatened by a drilling company and a woman who strangely resembles Morgan Le Fay lead four children into a stitch in time and to the Sleepers, an early Celtic King Arthur, and his men.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. C937S]

Hill, Pamela Smith.
The Last Grail Keeper. 2001.
After an archaeological dig at Glastonbury Tor in England uncovers the Holy Grail, Felicity and her mother, a professor of Arthurian literature, find that their destinies are linked across time with the Grail and the legendary King Arthur.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. H5541l]

Newman, Robert.
The Testing of Tertius. 1973.
With Merlin subdued by an evil spell, his apprentice, Tertius, trying to break the spell and save Britain, finds his command of all future knowledge more hindrance than help.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. N467T]

Reeve, Philip.
Here Lies Arthur. 2008.
When her village is attacked and burned, Gwyna seeks protection from the bard Myrddin, who uses Gwyna in his plan to transform young Arthur into the heroic King Arthur.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCb S. R259h]

Service, Pamela F.
Tomorrow’s Magic. 2007.
Two novels in which a young, resurrected Merlin and two friends attempt to bring King Arthur back to Britain, then struggle against the evil plots of Morgan Le Fay to build a new and better civilization in the wake of a nuclear holocaust. The New Magic Trilogy also includes Yesterday’s Magic and Earth’s Magic.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Se69W]

Thomson, Sarah L.
The Dragon’s Son. 2001.
Based on the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, as well as later legends, tells of family members and servants important in the life of King Arthur, featuring Nimue, Morgan le Fay, Luned, and Mordred.
[SSHEL S Collection S. T386d]

Merlin

Barron, T. A.
The Lost Years of Merlin. 1996.
A young boy who has no identity nor memory of his past washes ashore on the coast of Wales and finds his true name after a series of fantastic adventures. Four sequels chronicling the boy’s next adventures follow.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B2792l]

Newman, Robert.
Merlin’s Mistake. 1970.
By mistake Merlin had given Tertius the gift of future knowledge. But of what use was the knowledge of a computer circuit when one needed the know-how of knighthood.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. N467M]

Service, Pamela F.
Wizard of Wind and Rock. 1990.
Teased by the other children for not having a father, young Merlin develops his magic powers and comes to the aid of a king.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. 398.210942 Se69W]

Yolen, Jane.
Passager. 1996.
A foundling rediscovers his identity through the help of the falconer who adopts him. The Young Merlin Trilogy is continued in Hobby and Merlin.
[SSHEL Oak Street s. Y78p]

Guinevere

Aiken, Joan.
The Stolen Lake. 1981.
On her way to England from Nantucket aboard a British man-o’war, Dido has many adventures when the ship is diverted to the land of New Cumbria in the southern hemisphere, where she encounters a sleeping Arthur and an awakened Guinevere.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. Ai4st]

McKenzie, Nancy.
Guinevere’s Gift. 2008.
When the orphaned Guinevere is twelve years old, living with Queen Alyse and King Pellinore of Gwynedd, she fearlessly helps rescue her cousin from kidnappers who are plotting to seize the palace and overthrow the king, even as the queen despairs of Guinevere’s rebellious nature. The adventure continues in Guinevere’s Gamble.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M459g

Mordred

Springer, Nancy.
I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot. 1998.
When Mordred learns the identity of his father, he struggles with feelings of hatred, but also fights the fate which determines that he kill the good and gracious king.
[SSHEL Oak Street and CCB S. Sp83i]

Wein, Elizabeth.
The Winter Prince. 1993.
Medraut, the bitter, illegitimate son of King Artos, is tempted into joining Morgause, the king’s treacherous sister, in a plot against Lleu, the legitimate Prince of Britain.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. W432w]

Morgan le Fay

Springer, Nancy.
I Am Morgan le Fay: A Tale from Camelot. 2001.
In a war-torn England where her half-brother Arthur will eventually become king, the young Morgan le Fay comes to realize that she has magic powers and links to the faerie world.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sp83im]

The Knights of the Round Table

Morris, Gerald.
The Squire’s Tale. 1998.
In medieval England, fourteen-year-old Terence finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain’s worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity. The squire’s tales continue in a series of sequels.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M832s]

Morris, Gerald
The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short. 2008.
While not the most intrepid knight of the Round Table, Sir Givret the Short helps King Arthur and the other knights with his cunning and cleverness. Morris tells the stories of other knights, like Lancelot, in the same series.
[SSHEL S Collection S.M832a]

Scieszka, Jon.
Knights of the Kitchen Table. 1993.
When Joe, Fred, and Sam are sent back in time by a magic book, they find themselves face-to-face with giants, dragons, wizards, and the Knights of the Round Table. Book one in the Time Warp Trio series.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. Sci27k1993]

Classics Retold & Continued

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Nancy O'Brien

Classic literature contains universal themes and often continues to influence writers and readers alike. The stories below retell classic literature for children and adults, continuing the story, mixing fantasy and realism, fleshing out characters, and exposing new ideas. Some tales never go out of style.

Frankenstein

Baker, Chandler.
Teen Frankenstein. 2016.
Tori Frankenstein, teen genius, causes a horrible accident that results in the death of a teen boy — and she’s prepared to keep it a secret. There’s only one thing to do: use her scientific knowledge to bring the boy back to life.
[SSHEL S Collection S. B1711t]

Oppel, Kenneth.
This Dark Endeavor. 2011
When his twin brother falls ill in the family’s chateau in the independent republic of Geneva in the eighteenth century, sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein embarks on a dangerous and uncertain quest to create the forbidden Elixir of Life described in an ancient text in the family’s secret Biblioteka Obscura. The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series continues in Such Wicked Intent.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Op5t]

Salomon, Peter Adam.
Henry Franks. 2012
While a serial killer stalks his small Georgia town, sixteen-year-old Henry tries to find the truth about the terrible accident that robbed him of his mother and his memories, aided by his friend Justine but not by his distant father.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sa364h]

The Works of Jane Austen

Eulberg, Elizabeth.
Prom and Prejudice. 2011
For Lizzie Bennett, a music scholarship student at Connecticut’s exclusive, girls-only Longbourn Academy, the furor over prom is senseless, but even more puzzling is her attraction to the pompous Will Darcy, best friend of her roommate’s boyfriend.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Eu52p]

LaZebnik, Claire.
The Trouble with Flirting. 2013
Loosely based on Jane Austen’s “Mansfield Park,” relates high school junior Franny’s summer at Mansfield College in Portland, Oregon, where she helps her aunt sew costumes for an acting program and gets caught between the boy she likes and the one who likes her.
[SSHEL S Collection S. L458t]

Rushton, Rosie.
The Dashwood Sisters’ Secrets of Love. 2005
The Walker sisters have always lived a privileged life in their beloved Holly House in Sussex. Even though their father, Max Walker, has left the family to live with his new macrobiotic-food-obsessed trophy wife, Pandora, he has always doted on his girls. But then one day, reality crashes down around them when Max has a heart attack and passes away, uncovering the truth that he was knee deep in debt. The Walkers discover that their home is actually in Pandora’s name and she decides she wants it back. So the family has to uproot their lives and move to the seaside town of Norfolk in an old cottage.
[SSHEL S Collection S. R896d]

Shulman, Polly.
Enthusiasm. 2006
Julie and Ashleigh, high school sophomores and Jane Austen fans, seem to fall for the same Mr. Darcy-like boy and struggle to hide their true feelings from one another while rehearsing for a school musical.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Sh926e]

Peter Pan

Barry, Dave.
Peter and the Starcatchers. 2004
When orphaned Peter sets sail on the ship Never Land, he never expected to meet Molly, a young starcatcher, and join those trying to guard the magical stardust from greedy pirates. Continued in sequels Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and Peter and the Sword of Mercy.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. B279p]

Hart, James V.
Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth. 2005
In the original story of Peter Pan, Captain Hook’s past is briefly hinted at; “he had been at a famous public school.” This is the story of Hook at that school and how he became a pirate king afterwards.
[SSHEL S Collection S. H251c]

Levine, Gail Carson.
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. 2005
A new fairy has arrived in Never Land, just in time for a catastrophic event. Can Prilla, the fairy without a talent, rescue Mother Dove’s egg and save Never Land’s magic?
[SSHEL S Collection S.L578fa]

McCaughrean, Geraldine.
Peter Pan in Scarlet. 2006
It’s 1930 and Neverland is in danger. Wendy and the Lost Boys must help Peter Pan to save Neverland and stop the terrible nightmares which are leaking out into the real world.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M128p]

Nayeri, Daniel and Dina.
Another Pan. 2010
While attending an elite prep school where their father is a professor, Wendy and John Darling discover a book which opens the door to other worlds, to Egyptian myths long thought impossible, and to the home of an age-old darkness.
[SSHEL S Collection S. N231an]

Wallace, Karen.
Wendy. 2004
This novel explores Wendy’s unhappy life before the coming of Peter Pan.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. W155w]

Pied Piper of Hamlin

DeKeyser, Stacy.
The Brixen Witch. 2012
Twelve-year-old Rudi stumbles upon a witch’s lair while out hunting, takes a gold coin he finds there but loses it again, then must deal with the witch’s servant who promises to end the town’s rat infestation only if he receives that gold coin, in a story reminiscent of The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D3695b]

Pratchett, Terry.
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. 2001
The clever Maurice, a cat, with the help of a boy and some rats, con town after town until they are faced with an evil rat king and have to reconsider what they value most.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. P887a]

Stone, David Lee.
The Ratastrophe Catastrophe. 2004
This satirical retelling of the Pied Piper features a simple shepherd boy who has been possessed by evil magic, a group of well-intentioned but misfit mercenaries, and a foolish duke. Continued in The Illmoor Chronicles.
[SSHEL S Collection S. St713r]

Skurzynski, Gloria.
What Happened in Hamelin. 1979
This fictionalized history of the Pied Piper attempts to place the story in its historical setting and explain the characters’ motives and the true, tragic fate of the children of Hamelin.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. Sk67W]

Weatherill, Cat.
Wild Magic. 2008
Mari and her brother Jakob join the other children of Hamelin as they follow the Pied Piper into a world of wild magic, where they will remain until the fearsome Beast identifies the child chosen to free him from a centuries-old curse.
[SSHEL S Collection S. W3786w]

Robin Hood

Cadnum, Michael.
Forbidden Forest: The Story of Little John and Robin Hood. 2002
Profiles Little John, from his quiet life before joining Robin Hood through his adventures protecting a beautiful lady when she is wrongfully accused of murdering her husband.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. C114f]

Cody, Matthew.
Will in Scarlet. 2013
In the late 1100s, thirteen-year-old Will, the future Lord of Shackley, is exiled to Sherwood Forest, where he meets Robin Hood and the Merry Men and bands with them to try retake Shackley Castle.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.C649w]

Furlong, Monica.
Robin’s Country. 1995
The story of Robin Hood is retold from the point of view of a small boy, nicknamed Dummy, who flees to Sherwood to escape a cruel master.
[SSHEL S Collection S. F979r]

McKinley, Robin.
Outlaws of Sherwood. 1988
This retelling of Robin Hood focuses on the characters and their various motivations and lives.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M215o]

Pyle, Howard.
Howard Pyle’s Robin Hood. 2008
Robin Hood is redone as a graphic novel in this adaptation by Joe Dunn illustrated by Ben Dunn.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 741.5973 D922h]

Springer, Nancy.
Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest. 2001
Rowan has never met her father, Robin Hood, but when her mother is murdered she sets out to find him with a motley group of friends. Many sequels follow.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Sp83r]

Tomlinson, Theresa.
The Forestwife. 1995
Mary flees to the forest to escape marriage to an elderly widower and discovers a new life with the people of the forest. This is a new twist on the traditional story of Maid Marian.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. T5972f 1995]

Yolen, Jane.
Sherwood: Original Stories from the World of Robin Hood. 2000
Eight original stories connected to the legend of Robin Hood.
[SSHEL Oak Street and CCB S. Sh581]

Shakespeare

Hamlet

Fiedler, Lisa.
Dating Hamlet: Ophelia’s Story. 2002
Ophelia retells the story of Hamlet from her point of view – with a very different ending!
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. F452d]

Gratz, Alan.
Something Rotten: A Horatio Wilkes Mystery. 2007
In a contemporary story based on Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Horatio Wilkes seeks to solve the murder of his friend Hamilton Prince’s father in Denmark, Tennessee. Horatio returns in Something Wicked.
[SSHEL S Collection S. G774s]

Hutchison, Dot.
A Wounded Name. 2013
A reimagining of the world and story of Hamlet — from Ophelia’s perspective and set in an American boarding school.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. H98w]

Klein, Lisa M.
Ophelia: A Novel. 2006
In a story based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia tells of her life in the court at Elsinore, her love for Prince Hamlet, and her escape from the violence in Denmark.
[SSHEL S Collection S. K672o]

Ranulfo.
Joker. 2006
A modern retelling of Hamlet, in which fifteen-year-old Matt begins questioning everything he believes in after the death of his best friend and his parents’ divorce.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. R176j]

Ray, Michelle.
Falling for Hamlet: A Novel. 2011
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is set in the modern world of computers, cell phones, and paparazzi, and on a popular television talk show it is revealed that Ophelia has not died.
[SSHEL S Collection S. R2127]

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Stine, R. L.
A Midsummer Night’s Scream. 2013
Decades after the filming of a horror movie is halted in the wake of three actor deaths and rumors about a haunted set, Claire, the daughter of a failing studio head, helps with a production on the same site.
[SSHEL S Collection S. St56mi]

Sutherland, Tui T.
This Must Be Love. 2004
Two good friends tell of strange occurrences between themselves and the boys they like during a high school production of Romeo and Juliet, which are reminiscent of the magical world of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Su848t]

Romeo and Juliet

Draper, Sharon M.
Romiette and Julio. 1999
Romiette, an African-American girl, and Julio, a Hispanic boy, discover that they attend the same high school after falling in love on the Internet, but are harassed by a gang whose members object to their interracial dating.
[SSHEL S Collection S. D791r]

Fiedler, Lisa.
Romeo’s Ex: Rosaline’s Story. 2006
Whatever happened to Rosaline, Romeo’s first love? A retelling of Romeo and Juliet from Rosaline’s point of view.
[SSHEL S Collection S. F452r]

Myers, Walter Dean.
Street Love. 2006
This story told in free verse is set against a background of street gangs and poverty in Harlem in which seventeen-year-old African American Damien takes a bold step to ensure that he and his new love will not be separated.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M992st]

Selfors, Suzanne.
Saving Juliet. 2008
Seventeen-year-old Mimi Wallingford’s stage fright and fight with her mother on the closing night of Romeo and Juliet are nothing compared to the troubles she faces when she and her leading man are transported to Shakespeare’s Verona, where she decides to give the real Juliet a happy ending.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Se486s]

Serle, Rebecca.
When You Were Mine. 2012
Seniors Rosaline Caplet and Rob Monteg, neighbors and best friends, have finally become a couple at their Southern California high school, but when Rosie’s estranged cousin Juliet moves back into town and pursues Rob in an unstable, needy, and vindictive manner, Rosie starts to worry not just about Rob’s emotions, but about his very life.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Se674w]

Taub, Melinda.
Still Star-Crossed. 2013
After the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, mysterious figures in Verona are determined to reignite the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, so, for the sake of peace, the Prince orders Romeo’s best friend Benvolio to marry Juliet’s cousin Rosaline.
[SSHEL S Collection S. T19s]

Other Plays

Gehrman, Jody.
Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty. 2008
Sixteen-year-olds Geena, Hero, and Amber spend the summer working at a Sonoma, California coffee shop, where they experience romance, identity crises, and newfound friendships. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
[SSHEL S Collection S. G274c]

Lester, Julius.
Othello: A novel. 1995
A retelling of Shakespeare’s Othello with several minor, but important, changes.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L567O]

Pressler, Mirjam.
Shylock’s Daughter. 2001
Sixteen-year-old Jessica, who longs to be free of the restrictions of her father and life in the Jewish ghetto of sixteenth-century Venice, falls in love with a Christian aristocrat and must make choices which will affect her whole family. Inspired by Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. P9263s:E]

Rees, Celia.
The Fool’s Girl. 2010
Violetta and Feste have come to London to rescue a holy relic taken from a church in Illyria by the evil Malvolio, and once there, they tell the story of their adventures to playwright William Shakespeare, who turns it into a play. Based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
[SSHEL S Collection S. R2595f]

Tiffany, Grace.
Ariel. 2005
Ariel, beautiful and magical, rules half of her enchanted isle, dreaming of the savior from the east who will help her conquer all. When Prospero, a lost mariner, appears on the beach, his young daughter, Miranda, in tow, Ariel entices him with her visions of conquest. All does not go smoothly however, and their clash comes to a head when Ariel, summoning her full powers, creates a cataclysmic storm that will change their lives and the island forever. Shakespeare’s The Tempest takes on new meaning for new readers, as Tiffany explores the imagination’s power to transform grief into dangerous dreams.
[SSHEL S Collection S. T447a]

Sherlock Holmes

Gleason, Colleen.
The Clockwork Scarab. 2013
In 1889 London young women are turning up dead, and Evaline Stoker, relative of Bram, and Mina Holmes, niece of Sherlock, are summoned to investigate the clue of the not-so-ancient Egyptian scarabs — but where does a time traveler fit in?
[SSHEL S Collection S. G471c]

Lane, Andrew.
Death Cloud. 2011
In 1868, with his army officer father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously “unwell,” fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire, where he uncovers his first murder and a diabolical villain. The Young Sherlock Holmes series continues in Rebel Fire.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L2412d]

Mack, Tracy and Michael Citrin.
The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas. 2006
The ragamuffin boys known as the Baker Street Irregulars help Sherlock Holmes solve the mysterious deaths of a family of circus tightrope walkers.
[SSHEL Oak Street and CCB S. M1909f]

Peacock, Shane.
Eye of the Crow. 2007
A woman is found stabbed to death in London. A young boy is drawn to the scene to investigate the murder and becomes a suspect himself.
[SSHEL Oak Street S. P3136e]

Scheier, Leah.
Secret Letters. 2012
Sixteen-year-old Dora travels to London to meet Sherlock Holmes, who might be her biological father, and ask his help for her cousin who is being blackmailed over some stolen letters, but although Holmes dies before she arrives, a handsome young detective comes to Dora’s aid.
[SSHEL S Collection S. Sch255s]

Springer, Nancy.
The Case of the Missing Marquess. 2006
Enola Holmes, much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, must travel to London in disguise to unravel the disappearance of her missing mother. Enola Holmes Mysteries continue in The Case of the Left-Handed Lady.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sp83ca]

Rock the Vote: Election Day

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Nancy O'Brien

Every four years, that first Tuesday following the first Monday in November ceases to be just another weekday and becomes Election Day. Voting is an important right for American citizens, and many parents, caregivers, and teachers begin educating their under-eighteens about “rocking the vote” years before they are ready to enter a polling booth. Books — both fiction and non-fiction — are a great way to get kids thinking about the government, elections, and how the lives of citizens are affected by political decisions.

To find books about Election Day combine a “juvenile literature” subject search with a keyword search of “Election Day,” “Election,” “vote,” or “voting.”

To find books about the presidents, combine a “juvenile literature” subject search with a keyword search of “president*” or the name of a particular POTUS; you can also try “white house” or “oval office” for more historical information.

To find fiction about these topics, combine a “juvenile fiction” subject search with a keyword search of “election,” “president,” “voting,” or other Election-Day-themed term.

Books about Election Day and Voting

Freedman, Russell.
Because They Marched: The People’s Campaign for Voting Rights that Changed America. 2014.
When we talk about exercising the right to vote, it is important to remember that for many years, that right was given only to white, land-owning men. This non-fiction book, complete with historic pictures, tells the story of the 1960s battle for voting rights for the African-American community.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB Q. S. 323.1196073 F875b]

Granfield, Linda.
America Votes: How Our President is Elected. 2003.
Even young children can learn about how the President is voted into office, preparing for the day they will be able to cast their own vote.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 324.6 G765a]

Grodin, Elissa.
D is for Democracy: A Citizen’s Alphabet. 2004.
Take an A to Z adventure throughout the American government and its important terms and concepts.
[SSHEL S Collection S.320.973 G892d]

Lishak, Anthony.
Elections and Voting. 2008.
What do some of the major voting issues — like climate change and equal rights — have to do with you? This book includes lists of websites for each issue it covers to provide further information.
[SSHEL S Collection S.324.6 L6873]

Stier, Catherine.
Today on Election Day. 2012.
A group of school kids teach the reader about Election Day when their gym becomes a polling place.
[SSHEL S Collection S.324.60973 St524t]

Wagner, Heather Lehr.
The History of the Republican Party. 2007.
The History of the Democratic Party. 2007.
This pair of informational books breaks down the two primary political parties into easily understood concepts.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 324.273 W125h and S. 324.273609 W125h]

Worth, Bonnie.
One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote. 2016.
In this play on Dr. Seuss, the Cat in the Hat introduces readers to the American presidency, voting, and Election Day.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 324.650973 W899o]

Books about the Presidents

Cook, Jane Hampton.
What Does the President Look Like? 2011.
If the President showed up at your doorstep, you’d probably immediately know who it was. But wait! How did people across the country know what the President looked like before digital cameras and news stations? Cook discusses how the image of the President has changed and how American citizens came to know what the President looked like even before they’d seen him on CNN.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.973.099 C77w]

Gilpin, Caroline Crosson.
Barack Obama. 2008.
Learn about the amazing life of Barack Obama leading up to his election as first African-American President!
[SSHEL S Collection SB. O121g]

Hudson, David L.
The Handy Presidents Answer Book. 2012.
Show off to all your friends with your new in-depth knowledge about the trivia behind each of the Presidents, from Washington to Obama.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.099 H867h]

Katz, Susan.
The President’s Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems about the Presidents. 2012.
Some pretty silly things have happened to presidents over the years, and Katz parodies and celebrates these events with rhyming aplomb.
[SSHEL S Collection Q.S. 811 K199p]

Norwich, Grace.
I am George Washington. 2012.
Learn about our very first president, who defined the office and now graces the one-dollar bill.
[SSHEL S Collection SB. W31n]

Rhatigan, Joe.
White House Kids: The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the Presidents’ Children. 2012.
Okay, so maybe you aren’t ready to be President. But what if your parent became Head of State? What is it like to grow up in the White House? Rhatigan explores the lives of the First kids throughout history, complete with anecdotes.
[SSHEL S Collection S.973.099 R341w]

Stabler, David.
Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents. 2014.
How does one grow up to be President? Stabler presents some of the past presidents childhood shenanigans.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 973.099 St118k]

St. George, Judith.
So You Want to be President? 2004.
What does it really take to be president? This book explores the quirks and backgrounds of America’s first 42 presidents with humor and cartoonish illustrations.
[SSHEL S Collection Q.S.973.099 St23s 2004]

Stier, Catherine.
If I Were President. 1999.
A diverse class of school kids imagines what being president might be like, from the daily schedule to the built-in bowling alley.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 352.230973 St521i]

Fiction about Elections

Bruel, Nick.
Bad Kitty for President. 2012.
Bad Kitty is running for president of the Neighborhood Cat Association, but the voters are split down the middle — the right side of the street votes for one candidate and the left side votes for the other. Will a last-minute absentee ballot tip the balance?
[SSHEL S Collection S.B832bap]

Czajak, Paul.
Monster Needs Your Vote. 2015.
Election season is here and Monster is ready to vote! But why cast your ballot when you can run for president instead? With speeches, debates, and a soapbox or two, Monster’s newest tale is a campaign encouraging kids to take a stand and fight for what they believe in.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. C994m]

DiPucchio, Kelly.
Grace for President. 2008.
When Grace discovers that there has never been a female president, she decides to be the first. Grace for President!
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB Q.SE. D626g]

Gutman, Dan.
The Kid Who Ran for President. 1996.
Twelve-year-old Judson Moon sets out to become the first kid president with the help of his best friend and his babysitter.
[SSHEL S Collection S. G985k]

Paulsen, Gary.
Vote: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Politics. 2013.
Kevin, a 14-year-old hoping to impress his girlfriend, spontaneously decides to run for office at school before getting excited about the chance to make a difference.
[SSHEL S Collection S. P285vo]

Smith, Lane.
Madam President. 2008.
A little girl imagines what her day would look like if she were the president.
[SSHEL S Collection and CCB SE. Sm618m]

Winston, Sherri.
President of the Whole Sixth Grade. 2015.
Breanna is president of her middle-school class, but sometimes that feels more like a headache than an honor. Between backstabbing classmates and an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., Breanna may have bitten off more than she can chew.
[SSHEL S Collection S. W733pr]

Award-Winning Fantasy

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Nancy O'Brien

October is a magical month — a perfect time to read some high-quality fantasy novels. While browsing the shelves can be pleasant, there’s something to be said for a book that comes stamped with a seal of approval. Before trick-or-treaters dress up as monsters, unicorns, fairies, giants, elves, and other fantastical beings, read about them with the help of this list — every title given thumbs up by someone who knows good fantasy when they see it.

Andre Norton Award

Larbalestier, Justine.
Magic or Madness. 2005. Awarded 2007.
Reason Cansino walks out her grandmother’s back door in Sydney, Australia and finds herself in New York, where she learns not only that magic is real but that it comes at a high price.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L321ma

Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 2007. Awarded 2008.
In the stunning conclusion to the Harry Potter series, Harry and friends search for Voldemort’s remaining horcruxes and come face to face with the strongest evil yet.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. R797hd

Sherman, Delia.
The Freedom Maze. 2011. Awarded 2012.
13-year old Sophie is not excited to spend the summer at her grandmother’s. Bored, she explores the grounds and wanders through a maze that transports her back to an 1860 sugar plantation, where Sophie is mistaken for a slave.
SSHEL S Collection S. Sh553f

Wilce, Ysabeau S.
Flora’s Dare. 2008. Awarded 2009.
Tentacles reaching out of the toilet, the transformation of her best friend into an outlaw, and her father’s newfound sobriety are only some of the challenges Flora must face in her daily life on her way to achieving her ultimate goal: becoming a Ranger.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. W642f

Blue Ribbon—Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books

Bunce, Elizabeth C.
A Curse Dark as Gold. 2008. Awarded 2008 (Fiction).
Charlotte Miller has never believed that her family’s wool mill is cursed, but a recent rash of unfortunate events has her second guessing. Now she must decide if she can trust Jack Spinner, a character who claims he can spin gold out of straw…
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. B881c

Colfer, Eoin.
Artemis Fowl. 2001. Awarded 2001 (Fiction).
A twelve-year old genius tries to restore his family’s fortune by holding a fairy for ransom, but faces trouble — and adventure — when the fairies fight back.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. C68a

Gaiman, Neil.
Coraline. 2002. Awarded 2002 (Fiction).
Coraline’s life is perfectly ordinary until she goes through the mysterious door in her family’s flat, which opens into a world where everything is magical and wonderful — until it’s not.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.G127c

Gaiman, Neil.
Odd and the Frost Giants. 2009. Awarded 2010 (Fiction).
Young Odd leads a trio of Norse gods as they battle the Frost Giants, who have taken over Asgard.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. G127o

Hardinge, Frances.
The Lost Conspiracy. 2009. Awarded 2009 (Fiction).
Oracle Arilou and her nobody sister Hathin are drawn into a mysterious, dangerous conspiracy on their island — and neither sister is exactly who she claims to be.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. H219l2009

Harris, Joanne.
Runemarks. 2008. Awarded 2008 (Fiction).
Maddy discovers that the strange mark on her hand is a rune — and that she is destined to play a role in the fate of the Norse gods.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. H2421r

Leavitt, Martine.
Keturah and Lord Death. 2006. Awarded 2007 (Fiction).
Keturah becomes hopelessly lost when she follows a legendary hare into the woods, but must charm Lord Death with a story when he comes to claim her.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.L489k

Madison, Bennett.
September Girls. 2013. Awarded 2013 (Fiction).
Sam is spending his summer in a strange coastal town where bevies of beautiful — albeit strange — blondes are inexplicably attracted to him. When he falls in love with one of them, he knows he must learn their secret.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. M265s

Pratchett, Terry.
Nation. 2008. Awarded 2008 (Fiction).
When a tsunami destroys their island, survivors Mau and Daphne work with a band of refugees to rebuild their society.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.P8887n

Schmidt, Gary D.
Straw into Gold. 2001. Awarded 2001 (Fiction).
Tousle and Innes must solve a riddle or be killed, by order of the king. In search of the answer, they hear the story of a strange little man who spun straw into gold for a banished queen — in exchange for her firstborn son, who may or may not be Tousle himself.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sch53st

Shinn, Sharon.
The Truth-Teller’s Tale. 2005. Awarded 2005 (Fiction).
Twins Eleda, who can only tell the truth, and Adele, who cannot tell other’s secrets, are challenged by new dancing instructors who are keeping something from them, sparking a plot full of mistaken identity.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Sh637t

Tan, Shaun.
The Arrival. 2007. Awarded 2007 (Fiction).
This wordless graphic novel tells the strange tale of a man who leaves his home country for a new place, where he must build a life for his family.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB Q. S. 741.595 T153a

Ursu, Anne.
Breadcrumbs. 2011. Awarded 2011 (Fiction).
In this retelling of “The Snow Queen,” Hazel must rescue her ex-best friend Jack, who no longer speaks to her and who has vanished into the woods with a mysterious, icy woman.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. Ur7b

Westerfeld, Scott.
Peeps. 2005. Awarded 2005 (Fiction).
Cal Thompson has discovered that he’s a carrier of a virus that causes vampirism, and must track down any ex-girlfriends he may have infected.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. W523p

Boston-Horn Globe Book

Avi.
Poppy. 1995. Awarded 1996 (Fiction).
Poppy the mouse wants to move her family to a field of corn that could feed them indefinitely, but a frightening owl has other plans for them.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. AV51PO

Billingsley, Franny.
The Folk Keeper. 1999. Awarded 2000 (Fiction).
Corinna poses as a Folk Keeper — one who keeps the Evil Folk away — but soon discovers her identity as a Selkie, or seal-woman.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. 813 B496f

Cooper, Susan.
The Dark is Rising. 1973. Awarded 1973 (Fiction).
Will discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones and must seek the signs that will allow his kind to triumph over darkness.
SSHEL S Collection S. C787DA

DiCamillo, Kate.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. 2006. Awarded 2006 (Fiction).
Edward Tulane, a haughty toy rabbit, is quite selfish until he is separated from his adoring owner and makes a long journey, in which he hears many new stories.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D547m

Le Guin, Ursula.
A Wizard of Earthsea. 1968. Awarded 1969 (Fiction).
A boy grows up as he attempts to subdue the evil he unleashed on the world.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. L527W

Carnegie Medal

Ness, Patrick.
A Monster Calls. 2011. Awarded 2012.
Conor had dreams about a monster when his mother got sick. But the monster outside his window now isn’t the one from his nightmares — it’s older, wilder, and wants him to face a difficult truth.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. N373mo

Pratchett, Terry.
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. 2001. Awarded 2002.
Set in Discworld, this adaptation of the Pied Piper of Hamlin makes a team out of a clever cat, a strange boy, and a pack of rats who work together to pull the wool over the eyes of various towns.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. P887a

Reeve, Philip.
Here Lies Arthur. 2008. Awarded 2008.
Gwynna’s city is pillaged and burned, and while hiding in the woods, she is discovered by the bard Myrddin, who promises to protect her if she will be bound to him. Gwynna agrees and becomes part of the plan to turn the young, rough Arthur into Camelot’s hero of legend.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. R259h

Cybils

Deedy, Carmen Agra.
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale. 2011. Awarded 2011.
A bunch of mice and a cheese-loving cat find a strange alliance in an inn that becomes the backdrop for visits from Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D366c

Nielsen, Jennifer.
The False Prince. 2012. Awarded 2012.
Four orphans are forced into a brutal competition, the winner of which must impersonate the king’s son.
SSHEL S Collection S.N5544f

Stroud, Jonathan.
The Screaming Staircase. 2013. Awarded 2013.
Lucy and Anthony, young people with the ability to see — and deal with — the paranormal beings cropping up throughout London — team up to investigate some grisly events.
SSHEL S Collection S. St892s

Taylor, Laini.
Silksinger. 2009. Awarded 2009.
Warrior-faerie and last of her kind, Silksinger meets a young mercenary with a deadly weapon and more than a few secrets.
SSHEL S Collection S.T2158s

West, Jacqueline.
The Shadows. 2010. Awarded 2010.
Olive’s family moves into a creepy house with creepy paintings that harbor a magical world — Elsewhere.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. W5201s

Golden Kite Award
Durango, Julia.
Sea of the Dead. 2009. Awarded 2010 (Fiction).
Kehl, son of a warrior-prince, has always been told that pirates were responsible for his mother’s death. When he is kidnapped by pirates and forced to map the entire empire, he begins to ask some difficult questions about his past.
SSHEL S Collection S.D93s

McGraw, Eloise Jarvis.
The Moorchild. 1996. Awarded 1996 (Fiction).
Saaski is a changeling — a half-fairy child swapped for a human one after her mixed status made her an outcast with the Moor Folk. As Saaski grows, she realizes that the humans she considers her parents have been horribly wronged and is determined to return their biological child to them.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.M178MO

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature

Chabon, Michael.
Summerland. 2002. Awarded 2003.
The weather is always perfect for baseball in Summerland — but the small creatures who keep it that way are in need of a baseball hero.
SSHEL S Collection S.C342s

Dickinson, Peter.
The Ropemaker. 2001. Awarded 2002.
Tilja, a girl with no extraordinary capabilities, learns that she may be the only thing protecting her peaceful Valley from the dangerous Empire.
SSHEL S Collection S. D56r

Dunkle, Clare.
The Hollow Kingdom. 2003. Awarded 2004.
When two orphan girls arrive at their ancestral home, Hallow Hall, the Goblin King and wizard decides to take the older for his bride.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. D921ho

Fisher, Catherine.
Corbenic. 2006. Awarded 2007.
A strange night inside a magical castle and a feast in his honor changes Cal’s life forever — what if he’s going crazy, like his mother?
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. F531c

Lin, Grace.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. 2009. Awarded 2010.
Minli, a girl from a poor village, joins a magical goldfish and a dragon who cannot fly in a quest to change her family’s fortune.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.L63w

Stroud, Jonathan.
The Bartimeus Trilogy. Awarded 2006.
The first book in this trilogy, The Amulet of Samarkand, follows a young wizard as he summons a powerful — and mischievous — djinni named Bartimaeus…but calling the djinni and controlling him are two different things.
SSHEL S Collection S. St892b

Newbery Medal

Alexander, Lloyd.
The High King. 1968. Awarded 1969.
In this final installment in The Prydian Chronicles, Taran must face his nemesis Arawan directly and decide whether to become High King.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. AL27H

Cooper, Susan.
The Grey King. 1975. Awarded 1976.
Will is reminded that he is an immortal and must prepare for the battle between light and dark by finding a lost harp.
SSHEL S Collection S. C787GR

DiCamillo, Kate.
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. 2003. Awarded 2004.
A courageous mouse, his beloved princess, a devious rat, and an ambitious servant girl intertwine in fairy tale-esque adventures.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.D547t

Gaiman, Neil.
The Graveyard Book. 2008. Awarded 2009.
When his family is murdered, a toddler wanders into a cemetery where the ghosts and spirits agree to care for him.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.G127g

L’Engle, Madeleine.
A Wrinkle in Time. 1962. Awarded 1963.
In this fantasy classic, Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin embark on a strange journey to rescue their father, who has been mysteriously missing for years.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.L547W

McKinley, Robin.
The Hero and the Crown. 1985. Awarded 1985.
Aerin, as the only child of the king, should be the heir to the throne. Because of her mother’s unusual circumstances, her people feel they cannot trust her and Aerin embraces a new destiny.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.M2152H

O’Brien, Robert C.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. 1971. Awarded 1972.
Mrs. Frisby, a mouse with small children, faces a dilemma when one of them falls deathly ill just when they must move homes to survive the winter. She encounters the Rats of NIMH, preternaturally intelligent creatures who may have a solution.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S.Ob61m

Stead, Rebecca.
When You Reach Me. 2009. Awarded 2010.
Miranda’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of mysterious letters, written by someone who knows more about her than they should — even things that haven’t happened yet.
SSHEL S Collection and CCB S. St311w