If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country. Alger’s works about poor boys rising to better living conditions through hard work, determination, courage, honesty, and morals was popular with both adults and younger readers. Alger’s writings happened to correspond with America’s Gilded Age, a time of increasing prosperity in a nation rebuilding from the Civil War. His lifelong theme of rags to riches continued to gain popularity but has gradually lessened since the 1920s. Still, readers today often come across Ragged Dick and stories like it in school. Views: 524
“[Yolen is] the Aesop of the twentieth century”
—The New York Times
Fantasy legend Jane Yolen (The Emerald Circus, The Devil’s Arithmetic) delights with this effortlessly wide-ranging offering of fractured fairy tales. Yolen fractures the classics to reveal their crystalline secrets, holding them to the light and presenting them entirely transformed; where a spinner of straw into gold becomes a money-changer and the big bad wolf retires to a nursing home. Rediscover the fables you once knew, rewritten and refined for the world we now live in—or a much better version of it.
**Review
Praise for Jane Yolen
“The Hans Christian Andersen of America”
―Newsweek
“The Aesop of the twentieth century”
―The New York Times
“Jane Yolen is a gem in the diadem of science fiction and fantasy.”
―Analog
Praise for *The Emerald Circus*
“A brilliant example of short-form storytelling by one of the treasures of the science fiction community.”
―Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of Mistborn
[STARRED REVIEW] “After more than a decade, Yolen (Briar Rose; Sister Emily’s Starship and Other Stories) returns with 16 stories that take readers sideways and upside down through beloved fairy tales and classic tales such as Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz, while also reimagining the lives of famous storytellers such as Hans Christian Anderson, Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. Verdict: These delightful retellings of favorite stories will captivate newcomers and fans of Yolen as she once again delivers the magic, humor, and lovely prose that has attracted readers for years.”
―Library Journal, starred review
[STARRED REVIEW] “VERDICT: These highly entertaining retellings are perfect for teens fans of fairy tales and classic literature, though they are easily enjoyed without any background knowledge.”
―School Library Journal
“Ever the wordsmith, Yolen dazzles with her first short story collection for adults in years.”
―Booklist
“An impressive overview of the author’s breadth and career, this collection will appeal to the author’s existing devotees―or to anyone who has ever thought that “happily ever after” left too many questions.”
―Kirkus
“Jane Yolen’s [The] Emerald Circus may be my favorite book of the year, period, with apologies to Jeff Vandermeer’s Borne. Many years ago, when I had my own blog, I wrote a post celebrating the versatility of Yolen―one of the few authors who can write top-shelf books at any age level. [The] Emerald Circus is a perfect example of her fluid but rock-solid prose.”
―Adult Books for Teens, School Library Journal
“Jane Yolen’s The Emerald Circus is full of marvels. From Snow Queen to spaceship, The Emerald Circus is a delight.”
―Patricia A. McKillip, author of the Riddle-Master trilogy and The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
“With over 350 books, Jane Yolen is a legend in the world of children's and young-adult literature, but her acerbic and witty adult fiction and poetry offer their own pleasures. The 16 stories here, each accompanied by a related poem and notes, revisit some iconic classics, but always from a new, thought-provoking angle.”
―Chicago Tribune
“Jane Yolen facets her glittering stories with the craft of a master jeweller. Everything she writes, including The Emerald Circus, is original and timeless, deliciously creepy and disturbingly lovely.”
―Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity
“In this masterful collection, Jane Yolen draws upon myth, fairy tales, history, poetry, and children's classics from Alice to Oz to fashion new tales from the bones of the old. There is simply no better storyteller working in the fantasy field today. She's a national treasure.”
―Terri Windling, author of The Wood Wife and The Essential Bordertown
About the Author
Beloved fantasy legend Jane Yolen published her 365th book in 2018. Her work includes children’s fiction, poetry, short stories, graphic novels, nonfiction, fantasy, and science fiction. Her publications include Owl Moon, The Devil’s Arithmetic, Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Starship, * The Emerald Circus, and Sister Light, Sister Dark*. Among her many honors are the Caldecott and Christopher Medals, multiple Nebula, World Fantasy, Mythopoeic, Golden Kite, and Jewish Book awards; as well as the World Fantasy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Science Fiction Poetry Grand Master Award. Yolen is also a teacher of writing and a book reviewer. She lives in Western Massachusetts and St. Andrew, Scotland.
“[Yolen is] the Aesop of the twentieth century” —*The New York Times*
Fantasy legend Jane Yolen (*The Emerald Circus*, *The Devil’s Arithmetic*) delights with these effortlessly wide-ranging transformed fairy tales. Yolen fractures the classics to reveal their crystalline secrets, holding them to the light and presenting them entirely transformed, from a spinner of straw as a money-changer and to the big bad wolf retiring to a nursing home. Rediscover the fables you once knew, rewritten and refined for the world we now live in. Views: 524
First published in 1899. A collection of stories for younger children by the author of "The Railway Children".
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition. Views: 524
It's 1872, and adventurous Vesper Holly and her guardian set out for the tiny country of Illyria, on a quest for its legendary treasure. But once Vesper and Brinnie arrive, they are plunged into a fierce struggle between rebel forces— and someone is out to kill the two of them! If anyone can triumph over those kind of odds, it's Vesper — one of Lloyd Alexander's most intrepid (and best-selling) heroines. Views: 523
When Steve Duncan is asked to go on an archeological search on a remote Caribbean island, he never imagines the stallion he will find there. But the giant horse is unapproachable, showing nothing but fear and fury towards people. When the stallion gets caught in quicksand, can Steve get close enough to save the wild horse?
From the Trade Paperback edition. Views: 523
Alex discovers something in the woods next to his home, and no one will believe him. This is a case of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ taken to the extreme. Join him and three of his school friends as they quest to uncover the mystery at Lobo Cliff.Fourth grader Alex Davidson was used to being in trouble. If it wasn’t at home it was at school, but a chance discovery in the woods next to his home made his usual troubles seem like nothing. He saw something, and no one will believe him. This is a case of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ taken to the extreme. At the same time his best friend is dying of a mysterious disease and the only cure can be found… in the woods, in the dead of night. Employing the help of a couple of school mates, he struggles to come to grips with his discovery and hopes his family, his friends, his town and his best friend - can survive the mystery at Lobo Cliff. Views: 522
Benjamin Alire Saenz's stories reveal how all borders--real, imagined, sexual, human, the line between dark and light, addict and straight--entangle those who live on either side. Take, for instance, the Kentucky Club on Avenida Juarez two blocks south of the Rio Grande. It's a touchstone for each of Saenz's stories. His characters walk by, they might go in for a drink or to score, or they might just stay there for a while and let their story be told. Saenz knows that the Kentucky Club, like special watering holes in all cities, is the contrary to borders. It welcomes Spanish and English, Mexicans and gringos, poor and rich, gay and straight, drug addicts and drunks, laughter and sadness, and even despair. It's a place of rich history and good drinks and cold beer and a long polished mahogany bar. Some days it smells like piss. "I'm going home to the other side." That's a strange statement, but you hear it all the time at the Kentucky Club.
Benjamin Alire Saenz is a highly regarded writer of fiction, poetry, and children's literature. Like these stories, his writing crosses borders and lands in our collective psyche. "Poets & Writers Magazine "named him one of the fifty most inspiring writers in the world. He's been a finalist for the "Los Angeles Times "Book Prize and PEN Center's prestigious award for young adult fiction. Saenz is the chair of the creative writing department of University of Texas at El Paso. Views: 522
Enjoy the first adventure of The Toler Kid, Book 1 of a short story revolving around the story of Johnny Fortune, an eight year old boy and his friend Marie Christine, and his dog Houdini as they seek a lost golden treasure mask. A fun, educational, family friendly story.Enjoy the first adventure of The Toler Kid, Book 1 of a short story revolving around the story of Johnny Fortune, an eight year old boy and his friend Marie Christine, and his dog Houdini as they seek a lost golden treasure mask. A fun, educational, family friendly story.This book and the following stories are written for educational purposes and are completely free for your enjoyment. Views: 522
Jesus an Essene is a short book espousing a theory of Jesus being an Essene. Views: 521
Not since The 10th Good Thing About Barney or I'll Always Love You has there been such a peaceful and inspiring book to help children and adults cope with the loss of a pet. The talented multiple-medalist Jane Yolen takes on this difficult subject with her usual grace and poetic sensitivity, focusing not on the death as much as the life in the last day of an older cat named Tiger Rose. Tiger Rose's kitten days are long gone and she's grown too tired to stay, so she says her goodbyes to all the creatures and the joys of her natural world—from the scolding blue jay, to the dog and children she shares her home with, to a chipmunk, startled by her gentleness, to her favorite shady patch under a piney bush. In a final vision, Tiger Rose takes one last leap into the blue sky and becomes one with all—the earth, the air, the sun. . . . This is perhaps the most reassuring book on death available for children. Views: 521
Two Women
Elske -- a girl with no future, until her grandmother's sacrifice saves her from certain death
Beriel -- an imperious princess, determined to claim the kingdom that is her birthright
Fate brings them together, both exiles, one servant to the other. To Beriel, the mistress, Elske offers steadfast loyalty and courage -- hard to come by in her dangerous quest to regain the throne she has been denied by treachery. To Elske, the handmaiden, Beriel's proud example provides a perhaps even more precious gift -- the strength to find her true self. Views: 521
This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them. Views: 520
The Water-Babies is a classic Fairy Tale by the Reverend Charles Kingsley. Created in 1862–63 and since then has become one of the best loved stories ever told. This is a high quality new print edition of a classic timeless tale.The Water-Babies is a classic Fairy Tale by the Reverend Charles Kingsley. Created in 1862–63 and since then has become one of the best loved stories ever told. This is a high quality new print edition of a classic timeless tale. Views: 519
Noah Savino has been stuck in a wheelchair for months. He hates the way people treat him like he’s helpless now. He’s sick of going to physical therapy, where he isn’t making any progress. He’s tired of not having control over his own body. And he misses playing baseball—but not as much as he misses his dad, who died in the car accident that paralyzed Noah.
Noah is scared he’ll never feel like his old self again. He doesn’t want people to think of him as different for the rest of his life. With the help of family and friends, he’ll have to throw off the mask he’s been hiding behind and face the fears that have kept him on the sidelines if he ever wants to move forward. Views: 519
Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week 'This multilayered, humane and brilliant YA fantasy is the Costa-winning Hardinge's best yet.' - The Guardian'Gothic and twisty and witty and gripping . . . I loved it' - Katherine Rundell'A gloriously creepy, intricate masterpiece.' - Adrian Tchaikovsky Unraveller is a spell-binding fantasy from the Costa-award winning author of The Lie Tree, Frances Hardinge.In a world where anyone can cast a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them.Kellen does not fully understand his unique gift, but helps those who are cursed, like his friend Nettle who was trapped in the body of a bird for years. She is now Kellen's constant companion and his closest ally.But the Unraveller carries a curse himself and, unless he and Nettle can remove it, Kellen is a danger to everything – and everyone... Views: 519
