Fairy Tales Retold for Teens

Calhoun, Dia. The Phoenix Dance. 2005. (YA Fiction Calho.D)

Based on the more obscure Grimm's fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses, the author uses that story as a starting point and goes from there. No one understands why the princesses must dance each night until their shoes are nothing but tattered pieces. Phoenix Dance, the royal shoemaker's apprentice, decides she must find out what is causing their strange behavior, when her master is blamed by the queen. It is a dangerous path, made even more so by the darkness and light fighting within Phoenix. A unique look at bipolar disorder.

Card, Orson Scott. Enchantment. 1999. (YA Science Fiction Card.O & Science Fiction Card.O)

Enchantment is "a classic fantasy with a modern twist," that's what the cover says, and that is what Card delivers. It's the story of Sleeping Beauty, but this time the story is about the man who wakes her up, Ivan. The story begins when Ivan is ten years old, it is then that he first encounters the slumbering woman. Time passes and he feels himself pulled back to his homeland and the woman. It is after he has awakened Katerina, the sleeping princess, that the story really begins. Time plays an important part in the book. The modern age that Ivan is from, the time when Katerina was put under the spell, and now, whenever that is. There's also a fantastic magical element, as the curse would suggest, but it doesn't end there.

Datlow, Ellen. The Faery Reel : Tales From The Twilight Realm. 2004. (YA Fiction Stories Datlo.E)

A collection of short stories by some of the moat renowned names in fantasy today: Neil Gaiman(The Sandman Chronicles, Stardust), Gregory Maguire(Wicked, Son of a Witch), and Holly Black(The Spiderwick Chronicles) to name just a few. This book gives you the chance to become acquainted with these writers without committing to an entire book.

Datlow, Ellen. A Wolf At The Door : And Other Retold Fairy Tales. 2000. (YA Fiction Stories Datlo.E)

Another collection of short stories edited by Ellen Datlow. This one is filled with nothing but re-imaginings of fairy tales. Everything from instructions on how to survivie a fairy tale, courtesy of Neil Gaiman, to Hansel and Gretel lured by rows of Playstations and a Coke machine.

Dokey, Cameron. Beauty Sleep. 2002. (YA Fiction Dokey.C)

In order to protect Aurore from a curse that will send her to sleep for a hundred years if she should prick her finger, her parents forbid her from doing anything that requires a needle. Because of this, Aurore becomes a tomboy, climbing trees, exploring, and endearing herself to those she meets. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Aurore learns that the curse will not only affect her, but all those she has come to love in the kingdom. Off she goes to try and fight this evil. Sounds like the typical Sleeping Beauty story, but Aurore tells her own story and she does so in a down to Earth manner, not what you would expect from a princess.

Dokey, Cameron. Golden. 2006. (YA Fiction Dokey.C)

As this is story about Rapunzel, it is also a story about hair, or in this case, a lack of it. Rapunzel is born bald without hope of growing hair, which disgusts her mother. That disgust enables the sorceress Melisande to take Rapunzel, per the deal she struck with her mother.

Flinn, Alex. Beastly. 2007. (YA Fiction Flinn.A)

Kyle Kingsbury has it all: good looks, money, popularity, and a famous father to boot. Despite, or perhaps because of this, Kyle is a total jerk. One day he messes with the wrong Goth girl, and she curses him. Kyle's outside becomes as ugly as his inside, complete with fur and fangs. He hides out at home, chatting online with the group Unexpected Changes, whose members include Froggie and Silent Maid. It's little touches like this, and the Beast/Kyle's perspective that make this version of Beauty and the Beast a classic itself.

Gaiman, Neil. M Is For Magic. 2007. (YA Fiction Gaima.N)

While not traditional fairy tales, Neil Gaiman's short stories include trolls, villains, and knights. One of the most amusing stories, is the investigation into the death of Humpty Dumpty by a hard boiled private detective.

Gruber, Michael. The Witch's Boy. 2005. (YA Fiction Grube.M & YA CD Fiction Grube.M & eAudiobook)

Lump , named so for his misshapen form, was abandoned as an infant and taken in by a witch. This is merely the start of his strange tale. Truth be told, Lump is not a nice boy. He frees a djinn in order to exact revenge on those who were cruel to him. Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rumplestiltskin all appear. These are just some of the quirky details of this story. But you'll have to read to get the full scope.

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Just Ella. 1999. (YA Fiction Haddi.M)

What happens when happily ever after isn't so happy. Ella fought tooth, nail, and a evil stepmother to get to the palace, but now that she's engaged to marry Prince Charming, she's not so sure. For one thing, it turns out that Prince Charming is a bit of a bore. Also, it seems that Ella has an instructor for everything: dance, decorum, palace protocol, needlepoint, painting, and a few more for reasons she can't figure out. She may have left back breaking labor behind, but Ella still has to work at all that is expected of the new princess to be. Also, there's the small matter of her feelings for her tutor Jed that she has to contend with, along with the horrid Madame Bisset, her decorum instructor. What's a princess to be to do?

Hale, Shannon. Book Of A Thousand Days. 2007. (YA Fiction Hale.S)

This is based on a lesser known tale by the Grimm Brothers. It's written in diary form, from the perspective of Dashti, Lady Saren's maid. Both are imprisoned in a tower because of Lady Saren's refusal to marry.

Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. 2003. (YA Fiction Hale.S & eAudiobook)

Within a few days: Ani, the Crown Princess of Kildenree's father dies, she's passed over for the throne, and she's betrayed by her guards and lady in waiting en route to her intended. She barely escapes this treachery with her life.

Harrison, Mette Ivie. Mira, Mirror. 2004. (YA Fiction Harri.M)

Did you ever wonder what happened to the Magic Mirror that Snow White's wicked mother had? What made the mirror answer her? The Mirror was once a girl named Mira. She was a witch's apprentice, as was the Wicked Queen. It was the Wicked Queen who imprisoned her. But she's gone now, and Mira might just have a chance at freedom, and a life of her own.

Lackey, Mercedes. The Serpent's Shadow. 2001. (Science Fiction Lacke.M)

There is a faint hint of Snow White in this book. Dr. Maya Witherspoon's Indian priestess mother and British physician father are dead, under cloudy circumstances. Maya flees her native India to London. There she struggles to break into the prejudiced medical community. Though she has surrounded herself with every protection she can think of, including her mother's seven pets, the evil that took her parents is pursuing her.

Lanagan, Margo. Red Spikes. 2007. (YA Fiction Lanag.M)

Though this book does not contain a Sleeping Beauty, or a Cinderella, it will still be of interest to fairy tale and fantasy aficionados. Lanagan takes elements common to fairy tales, such as: ogres, queens, and magic.

Levine, Gail Carson. Fairest. 2006. (YA Fiction Levin.G & YA CD Fiction Levin.G)

If you enjoyed the book or movie, Ella Enchanted, also by Gail Carson Levine, then this will be right up your alley. This time Levine, using the story of Snow White, crafts a darker tale. The fairy Lucinda is back. This time it is the gift of that fateful mirror she gives. Aza may have the mirror, but it is her voice that is her true gift.

Lynn, Tracy. Snow. 2003. (YA Fiction Lynn.T)

Jessica is not what her father had hoped for, she is a girl. Not only that, but her mother dies giving birth to her. Her father decides to start fresh with a new wife. This new wife hates Snow, as Jessica is known because of her beauty. Soon Snow must flee to London. There she is taken in by a band of outcasts. But here wicked stepmother isn't done with her yet.

Mah, Adelien Yen. Chinese Cinderella And The Secret Dragon Society. 2005. (YA Fiction Mah.A)

Chinese Cinderella, or CC as she is better known, is born to a life of privilege. But she is at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. CC seeks solace in Grandma Wu's martial arts school. It is there she gains skills and confidence, while letting go of some of her pain and hurt. Soon she becomes part of the Chinese Resistance movement against the invading Japanese.

Maguire, Gregory. Confessions Of An Ugly Stepsister. 1999. (Fiction Magui.G)

Set in 17th century Holland, this is the story of Iris, whose path crosses with Clara, an inexplicably beautiful girl. Fate has destined that they will become sisters. As the title reveals, this is Iris's story, here life is much more than just being an "ugly stepsister." This is the same author that wrote Wicked, so if you liked that one you may want to give this a try.

Mckinley, Robin. Beauty : A Retelling Of The Story Of Beauty & The Beast. 1978. (YA Fiction Mckin.R)

It has been thirty years since this book was first published, but it is still talked about and recommended as much now, as it was then. Honour is the youngest of three daughters. She doesn't much care for her nickname of Beauty, especially with her larger hands and even bigger feet. One day her father comes back from an enchanted castle that is home to the Beast. And so the story goes. There are those who absolutely adore this book, and there are those who think it's long and overly drawn out. If you love fairy tales give it a read and see where you weigh in on this debate.

Medley, Linda. Castle Waiting. 2006. (YA 741.5973 Medle.L)

Modern sensibilities and sass mixed with medieval setting. Medley uses comic form to tell the tales of those in Putney. All the niceties you usually encounter in fairy tales are swiftly disposed of here. Bearded ladies, a witch who is named Mald because she is bald, and a mysterious pregnant woman all populate this hysterical book.

Murphy, Louise. The True Story Of Hansel And Gretel. 2003. (Fiction Murph.L)

Hansel and Gretel are not their real names, their real names would betray their secret. The little boy and girl are Jewish. It is Nazi occupied Poland and they have been left in a forest. So begins their tale.

Napoli, Donna Jo. Bound. 2004. (YA Fiction Napol.D)

After the death of her father, Xing Xing is bound to her Stepmother and half sister, Wei Ping. To maker herself fit for marriage, Wei Ping, binds her feet. But it is Xing Xing who must tend to her during the painful process. Xing Xing practices her calligraphy and poetry, while dreaming of a life free of her obligations.

Napoli, Donna Jo. The Magic Circle. 1993. (YA Fiction Napol.D)

The Ugly One wasn't always so wretched. Once she was a devoted mother, and there was no one who could surpass her skills as a midwife. But as a sorceress, she encounters devils. One day, these devils get the better of her and she becomes the Ugly Witch. The devils plague her, trying to get her to do any number of terrible things. One day into her now cursed life wander Hansel and Gretel.

Schmidt, Gary D. Straw Into Gold. 2001. (YA Fiction Schmi.G)

This is an unusual take on Rumplestiltskin. As with the classic, there is a riddle. "What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold?" Only the answer can save Tousle, Innes, and a group of rebels from a death sentence. The two boys, Tousle and the blind Innes must journey to find the answer to this riddle. A great twist, what happens when the queen can't guess the little man's name correctly.

Scieszka, Jon. The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales. 1992. (JPicture Scies.J)

Irreverent. Hilarious. The Stinky Cheese Man is Jon Scieszka's take on classic fairy tales. No beloved character is spared.

Tomlinson, Heather. The Swan Maiden. 2007. (YA Fiction Tomli.H)

This is the tale of Doucette, the third daughter. Doucette's birth order dictates that she must tend to the castle while here sisters learn to cast spells. She is stuck taking instructions from the castle servants on the proper way to do things, while she dreams about flying as a swan, like Azelais and Cecilia, her sisters. But one day everything changes and Doucette discovers her birthright, a swanskin of her own.

Weyn, Suzanne. The Night Dance. 2005. (YA Fiction Weyn.S)

This is another interpretation of Grimm's Twelve Dancing Princesses. But what separates it from Dia Calhoun's The Phoenix Dance, is the incorporation of characters from the King Arthur Legend, namely Vivienne, Morgan La Faye, and a knight of the Round Table.

Willingham, Bill. Fables. 2002. (YA 741.5973 Willi.B bk. 1)

These are characters of fairy tales as you've never seen them before. They are hard boiled detectives, tricksters on the run from the law, and ruthless criminals just to name a few.

Yolen, Jane. Briar Rose. 1992. (YA Fiction Yolen.J & Fiction Yolen.J)

After years of hearing her stories, Rebecca can hardly believe it when her grandmother Gemma tells her, that she is Briar Rose. After Gemma's death, Rebecca travels to Poland to discover more about her grandmother's past, including the horror of the Holocaust.

Compiled by Bridget Petrites

Young Adult Services, 2008