New Releases by Jane Yolen

A Highland lad comes of age at the brutal battle of Culloden in 18th-century Scotland In the year 1745, the cry goes out across the Scottish Highlands for every able-bodied Scotsman to take up arms in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Stalwart and brave but prone to sudden seizures, young Duncan longs to join his da and the other men of clan MacDonald in the noble fight against the English. His father decrees the boy must remain behind, but the call to war is impossible to ignore, and when Duncan learns of his uncle’s death in battle, he joins his cousin Ewan and sets out to fight for their country and their prince. But the reality of war is not the glorious undertaking Duncan has long heard spoken of and sung in stirring ballads and stories—and on the battlefield of Culloden he will be tested in ways he never could have imagined and leave boyhood behind forever amid the blood, fire, and death. Critically acclaimed, award-winning authors Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris merge their considerable storytelling talents in a riveting, moving tale of a young boy’s rocky and perilous road to manhood. Richly atmospheric and firmly based in fact, Prince Across the Water is enthralling historical fiction—a powerful and unforgettable journey back in time and an unflinching look at the true face of war.

A breathtaking collection of literary fairy stories from an award-winning fantasist Author Jane Yolen speaks to the ancient magic within us all in this anthology of 30 grown-up fairy stories—lovely, lyrical, poignant, sometimes frightening tales of transformations and transfigurations, magical destinies and dangerous quests, strange visions, reawakenings, and just desserts. A past winner of the Nebula Award, World Fantasy Award, and numerous other honors, Yolen takes her rightful place alongside the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, combining innovative literary style with fables that reimagine the myths of old and some of her legendary predecessors’ most cherished characters: Cinderella, simple Jack, Guinevere, Icarus, and the Frog Prince. Step into Yolen’s wondrous realm of magic and dreams, where a curious young woman’s desire to read the future leads her to the weaver of tomorrow; a farm boy with the voice of an angel seeks out Lady Death to sing for the life of his mother; and a sow, a cow, and a mare set out together to see the world. These timeless stories tell of an eager girl’s entrance into the Hall of Grief and a sunless prince who fears the vengeance of a jealous star. A tree-bound young dryad longs to dance in the spring, and a grumpy old potter pours his heart and soul into his greatest work. Yolen’s stories are unforgettable tales of the heart and the spirit; they are truly tales of wonder.

An inept wizard-in-training is the only one who can save his classmates from the terrible sorcery that threatens to devour their magical school Acclaimed master fantasist Jane Yolen imagines an academic world of wonders where paintings speak, walls move, monsters are made real, and absolutely anything can happen—as she introduces readers to a hero as hapless as the legendary Merlin is powerful. It was Henry’s dear ma who decided to send him off to Wizard’s Hall to study sorcery, despite the boy’s apparent lack of magical talent. He has barely stepped through the gates of the magnificent school when he is dubbed Thornmallow (“prickly on the outside, squishy within”). Still, regardless of his penchant for turning even the simplest spell into a disaster, Thornmallow’s teachers remain kind and patient, and he soon has a cadre of loyal, loving friends. But there is something that no one is telling the boy: As the 113th student to enroll in the wondrous academy, Thornmallow has an awesome and frightening duty to fulfill—and failure will mean the destruction of Wizard’s Hall and everyone within its walls.

A rock ''n'' roll band to die for? Callie is about to find out.... Not much happens in fourteen-year-old Callie McCallan''s sleepy Massachusetts town. So when the famous rock ''n'' roll band, Brass Rat, schedules a concert in the Valley, it''s big news. As a reporter for her school paper, Callie scores the scoop of a lifetime--a backstage pass to interview the lead singer of Brass Rat! Her friends are so jealous. But Callie isn''t sure what the fuss is all about...until she meets the band. Lead singer Peter Gringras and his band mates are so cool. Especially Peter. When he plays his flute, it''s as if he has some kind of hypnotic power. But there is something strange about the band, something Callie can''t quite put her finger on. Maybe she''s just being weird, but it''s as if they''re from here--but not from here--at the same time. It''s when, on Halloween night, Callie''s little brother Nicky disappears--along with all the other children of Northampton--that she begins to wonder if her suspicions are so weird after all. It''s crazy, but Callie thinks she knows why the children have disappeared--and who took them. To prove it--and to rescue Nicky and the other children--Callie will be forced down a road that will lead to her to a mythical world filled with fantastical creatures. A world from which there may be no return.... At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A wicked adventure-or deadly...trollble For sixteen-year-old harpist prodigy Moira, the annual Dairy Princess event in Vanderby is just another lame publicity "op." Moira a dairy princess? Get real. Twelve girls have been selected to have their likeness carved in butter and displayed on the Trollholm Bridge. It''s a Vanderby State Fair tradition that has been going on for, like, ever. As far as Moira is concerned, the sooner it''s over with the butter-er-better. About the same time and not far away, three brothers-members of the sensationally popular teen boy band The Griffsons-are in the middle of a much needed road trip to relax from the pressures of their latest tour. In a flash, however, the kids are suddenly transported to a strange and mystical wilderness where they find themselves in the middle of a deadly tug-of-war struggle between a magical fox named Fossegrim and the monstrous troll Aenmarr of Austraegir. At the heart of the feud is a battle for possession of a mysterious magical fiddle--and an ancient compact between Trollholm and the outer world. Whatever. All Moira cares about is that eleven of her fellow princesses have been enchanted into a slumber and Moira needs to figure out a way to awaken them...and get home. Unfortunately for Moira and the Griffsons, nothing in Trollholm is as it seems. Finding a way out of Trollholm may be a lot more difficult than they think. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From Africa, Burma, and Czechoslovakia to Turkey, Vietnam, and Wales here are more than 150 of the world''s best-loved folktales from more than forty countries and cultures. These tales of wonder and transformation, of heroes and heroines, of love lost and won, of ogres and trolls, stories both jocular and cautionary and legends of pure enchantment will delight readers and storytellers of all ages. With black-and-white drawings throughout Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

DIVDIVDIVUnder the fountain in Washington Square Park, there lives an incompetent wizard . . . /divDIV David has just moved to New York City from Connecticut, and he’s a bit lonely. He hasn’t made any friends yet, and the city is so big. But one Saturday afternoon in Washington Square Park, David and his dog, D. Dog, meet a girl named Leilah. Leilah tells David that there’s a wizard in the park—a wizard who lives under the Washington Square fountain. At first, David thinks Leilah is just making things up—until he encounters the real live wizard! Unfortunately, the wizard’s spells work at the most inconvenient times, and he accidentally turns David’s dog into a marble statue. Before the wizard can change D. Dog back, a sneaky antiques dealer grabs the statue and races uptown to sell it. Can David’s new friends help him get D. Dog back?/divDIV /divDIVThis ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book./div/div/div

DIVDIVBefore the legendary Arthur became king, he took lessons from a dragon . . ./divDIV Artos is a lonely child, teased or ignored by the other boys in the castle of Sir Ector. One day, he follows Sir Ector’s runaway hound into a mysterious, dark cave, where he encounters a dragon who offers him the gift of wisdom./divDIV /divDIVBoth frightened and intrigued, Artos becomes the dragon’s student and gains what he’s always longed for: the friendship and respect of other boys. Under the guidance of the dragon, Artos’s life begins to take shape in a way he could never have imagined. But has Artos really learned everything the dragon has to teach? And what does the dragon mean when he refers to him as “Artos Pendragon,” or “Arthur son of dragon”? This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book./div/div

An alien civilization is forever changed by the incursion of human social scientists—and an ancient prophecy—in this award-winning novel. The year is 2132 when members of the Anthropologist’s Guild set down on the planet Henderson’s IV, or L’Lal’lor as it is known to the native population. Charged with the nonintrusive study of alien cultures, the crew discovers a society containing no love or laughter. It is, instead, centered around death—a world of aristocratic and common folk in which grieving is an art and the cornerstone of life. But the alien civilization stands on the brink of astonishing change, heralded by the discovery of Linni, the Gray Wanderer, a young woman from the countryside whose arrival has been foretold for centuries. And for Anthropologist First Class Aaron Spenser, L’Lal’lor is a place of destructive temptations, seducing him with its mysterious, sad beauty, and leading him into an unthinkable criminal act. Told from the shifting viewpoints of characters both alien and human, and through records of local lore and transcripts of court martial proceedings, Cards of Grief is a thoughtful, lyrical, and spellbinding tale of first contact. It is a true masterwork of world building from Jane Yolen, a premier crafter of speculative fiction and fantasy. This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

DIVDIVAward-winning author Jane Yolen transports readers to new realms of dragons, sprites, and rogues in twenty-seven magical stories and poems/divDIV “That’s what dragons are for, after all, to call forth heroes.”/divDIV /divDIVJane Yolen enchants and enthralls with an exquisite collection of short fiction and poetry brimming with sympathetic monsters, unlikely heroes, and all manner of magical amazements. Exploring the depths of human love, pain, and folly in these unforgettable tales, Yolen gives life to a cast of unforgettable characters: a selfless young woman whose sadness brings forth beautiful gifts, a deluded musician whose song spectacularly fails to soothe a savage beast, and an alien salvage crew mining gems from the mind of a dying poet. Here be dragons, outlaws, kings, mermen, and dream weavers, sprung from the unparalleled imagination of one of the world’s foremost fantasists./divDIV /divDIVThis ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book. /div/div

The award-winning author How to Fracture a Fairy Tale revamps the Camelot legend with stories of King Arthur’s powerful mentor, the great magician Merlin. There is perhaps no more beloved and enduring myth in the Western canon than the story of King Arthur, his knights, Queen Guinevere, and of course, his mysterious tutor and magical advisor, Merlin. A sorcerer, sage, prophet, and teacher, Merlin’s mysterious life has inspired a vast array of classic works while giving rise to numerous conflicting legends. Here, award-winning author Jane Yolen, one of the most acclaimed fantasy writers of our time, retells Merlin’s tales as never before. Through a series of stories and poems ranging across centuries—from the days of Merlin’s childhood as a feral boy to the possible discovery of his bones in a much later era—Yolen reimagines both the glory and grimness of Camelot, recalling characters and events from Arthurian legend, while ingeniously inventing new myths and dark fables. Merlin’s Booke is a brilliant patchwork, made up of tales that explore the mysteries of King Arthur’s world and the terrible magic that pervaded it. This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults. “[A] spellbinding twist on the Round Table legend . . . a standout in this enormous canon.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) The newly crowned King Arthur is unsure of himself; worse, the people are unsure of him. Too many people want the throne, and treachery is everywhere. Merlin must do something before the king is betrayed, or murdered, or—worst of all—gets married. So Merlin magically places a sword into a slab of rock, lets it be known that whosoever removes the blade will rule all of England, and invites any man who would dare to try to pull out the sword. After a bit of showmanship, Arthur will draw the blade (with a little magical help, of course), and the people will rally around the young king. Except someone else pulls the sword out first . . . A Booklist Editors’ Choice ABA’s Pick of the Lists A Parent’s Guide Children’s Media Award Winner “Yolen takes elements of Arthurian legend and makes them her own in this involving novel.”—Booklist (starred review) “[A] page-turning tale of magic and adventure, betrayal, loyalty, and love.”—School Library Journal (starred review) “A subtle, many-layered tale . . . It is, as the book’s ending tells readers, ‘an old story but a good one,’ and Yolen does it honor.”—VOYA (5Q—highest rating)

The legendary wizard’s early years are explored in this magical adventure by the acclaimed author of the Pit Dragon Chronicles. A boy is abandoned in the woods of medieval England. A year passes—a year of terror and hunger, of sleeping in trees and foraging for food, of outrunning packs of wild dogs—until one day a falconer captures and tames the boy as he would any passager, a young bird caught in the wild and trained. The falconer adopts the boy and teaches him all of the things he’s forgotten, including the boy’s true name—and the legacy of magic that will be his when he comes of age. Praise for Passager “This first book of the Young Merlin Trilogy will have readers awaiting the sequels.” —The Horn Book “Steeped in hawks, mews, and wood life, the trilogy evokes a romantic, dreamy time. But its unadorned language lets the story emerge in a guileless way that will captivate young readers. This is a fine read-aloud.” —San Diego Union Tribune

Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and the inimitable Jane Yolen team up in this ironic and witty take on the last moments in the lives of a variety of animals. Each satirical poem in this darkly humorous collection is an epitaph of a different animal. Grouped by animal type, these posthumous poems are full of clever wordplay and macabre humor that will appeal to kids (and adults) of all ages. From the humble chicken to the great blue whale, this laugh-out-loud poetry collection is sure to be a hit at storytimes and around Halloween.

Sisters Serena and Meteora were proud members of the high court of the Fairy Queen-until they were cast out from court, stripped of their powers, and banished to the brutish mortal realm of Earth-where they discover a long-forgotten dark force that threatens both fairy and human worlds.

An unforgettable take on a favorite fairy tale by multi-award-winning author Jane Yolen Summer''s life in the mountains of West Virginia feels like a fairy tale--her parents dote on her, and she''s about to get a new baby brother. But when the baby dies soon after he''s born, taking their mother with him, Summer''s life turns grim. Things get even worse when her father marries a woman who brings poisons and magical mirrors into Summer''s world. Stepmama puts up a pretty face and Summer''s father is under her spell, but Summer suspects she''s up to no good--and is afraid she is powerless to stop her.

Halva is traveling with her trained bear to visit the King of Denmark when they stop for the night at a cottage where, they learn, a pack of trolls is about to make its annual Christmas Eve visit, causing trouble and making a big mess. Includes author''s note about the story''s origins.

Two rambunctious monsters creep, gurgle, crawl, and tumble before falling asleep.

Lift-the-flap pages and colorful illustrations of dinosaurs help demonstrate the concept of opposites.

Elsie is a city girl. She loves the noise of the cobbled streets of Boston. But when her mother dies and her father moves them to the faraway prairies of Nebraska, Elsie hears only the silence, and she feels alone in the wide sea of grass. Her only comfort is her canary, Timmy Tune. But when Timmy flies out the window, Elsie is forced to run after him, into the tall grass of the prairie, where she''s finally able to hear the voice of the prairie-beautiful and noisy- and she begins to feel at home. Jane Yolen and David Small create a remarkable, poetic, vividly rendered book about finding one''s place in the world.

Aliera Carstairs just doesn''t fit in. She''s always front and center at the fencing studio, but at school she''s invisible. And she''s fine with that . . . until Avery Castle walks into her first period biology class.

Celebrated writer Jane Yolen and photographer Jason Stemple, longtime bird watchers, take a look at birdlife in this fascinating volume of poems and pictures. Fourteen original poems explore a dazzling flock with skillful wordplay that inspires the reader to look at some common feathered friends in uncommon ways. The photographer''s masterful eye captures each unique creature, creating intimate portraits to ponder and admire.

Cuddle up and share this feel-good book from the creators of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

Having been presumed dead, Jakkin and Akki finally return to Austar IV with newfound skills, and the knowledge that what they have learned could either transform their planet or destroy it.

All the fairies are excited to be invited to the King''s ball, except for one young fairy whose only party dress is in tatters.

This richly illustrated songbook from beloved children''s book writer Jane Yolen celebrates the American way of work. From the railway workers who built our transcontinental train system to the astronauts who landed on the moon, the jobs that built and maintain our country are honored in this lively collection of folk tunes and new songs. Weathervanes, whirligigs, quilts, signs, and other folk art pieces are the perfect accompaniment for such classic and current favorites as "Barber, Spare Those Hairs," "Git Along, Little Dogies," "Casey Jones," and "Fire in the Sky." Great for family or classroom sing-alongs, these thirty songs, arranged for piano and guitar, give children and adults anthems to match their ambitions. Book jacket.

Jane Yolen''s wintry, shivery poems are inspired by the stunning photographs of Jason Stemple, who has captured the imagesof snow in all its breathtaking beauty. After children enjoy these poems and pictures, they will look at snow in a different way --with their imaginations as well as your eyes.

Explains how young dinosaurs should behave during a typical school day.

A family saga in a fantasy kingdom run by women. It is centered on the queen''s adopted daughter, the one-armed warrior, Scillia, whose succession to the throne is threatened by her brother, manipulated by evil men.

Second in the thrilling young adult fantasy series from the award-winning author of Dragon’s Blood. “Readers . . . will welcome this one with delight.” —Booklist An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Jakkin now has everything he’s ever wanted—the rank of freeman, a string of victories in the dragon pits, and the companionship of his dragon, Heart’s Blood. Everything, that is, except for his beloved Akki, who vanished a year ago. To find her, Jakkin must become a rebel spy. He will risk everything he holds dear—Heart’s Blood, her hatchlings, even his hard-won freedom—and join in a game fiercer than any dragon pit match, a game he’ll lose no matter how well he plays. “Eloquent . . . rich in symbolism.” —The Horn Book