Once upon a time...

Myers, Edward (2008). Storyteller. Grades 5-8.

Jack has always excelled at telling stories to his family, friends, and just about anyone who will listen. After turning seventeen, he decides to leave his small village of Yorrow and find his fortune in the world. His journey steers him to the royal city where he meets the sorrowful king, his daughters, and son. After successfully meeting his first task, Jack is appointed the royal storyteller. He decides that he must help the king overcome his sorrows and bring the kingdom back to its better days, but it seems that the king's son, Prince Yoss, has other plans. With the help of a bird named Loquasto and the eldest princess Stelinda, Jack will take on Prince Yoss and his evil plan to rule the kingdom.

Prequel to the "Tales of the Frog Princess"

Baker, E.D. (2007) The Salamander Spell. 248 pages. Grades 5-7.



Thirteen year old Grassina is a princess and the younger sister to Chartreuse, who is destined to become the Green Witch. Their mother, Queen Olivine, has been teaching Chartreuse the tools of the trade, but Chartreuse doesn't seem to have any magical ability. Tragedy strikes when a curse takes away Queen Olivine's powers as the Green Witch and the kingdom of Greater Greensward becomes at risk from werewolves and dragons. Will Chartreuse come into her magic or will Princess Grassina have to save the day?

Fairy tales come alive in this fantastical adventure!

Durst, Sarah Beth (2007). Into the Wild. Grades 5-7.

Twelve year old Julie lives with her single mom, Zel (a.k.a. Rapunzel) who had once upon a time fled from the enchanted forest, known as "the wild", in order to live a somewhat normal life. There are others just like Zel -- Mary from "Mary had a little lamb," the Three Bears, Puss in Boots (he's now Julie's brother) and more. But, when someone makes a wish to release "the wild", it captures characters into their original roles. Julie must rescue her mother and the others before it is too late. Can she manage to escape the fairy tale endings or will she end up in a story of her own? A neat twist is that the setting is right here in Massachusetts!



If you like books with fractured fairy tales, try these titles:

• Buckley, Michael. The Fairy-Tale Detectives . (Sisters Grimm, bk.1)


• Gardner, Lynn. Into the Woods.