Most Popular Books by Jane Yolen

A Taino Indian boy on the island of San Salvador recounts the landing of Columbus and his men in 1492.

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

Celebrating 30 years of the beloved classic Owl Moon from renowned children''s book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr! Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling, you don''t need words. You don''t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn''t an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind''s close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr''s soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading aloud and sharing at bedtime.

An American journalist is trapped in Nazi Germany in this variation on the Sleeping Beauty theme.

A collection of thirteen traditional tales from various parts of the world, with the main character of each being a fearless, strong, heroic, and resourceful woman.

30th Anniversary edition with a new introduction from the author Hannah is tired of holiday gatherings−all her family ever talks about is the past. In fact, it seems to her that''s what they do every Jewish holiday. But this year''s Passover Seder will be different−Hannah will be mysteriously transported into the past . . . and only she knows the unspeakable horrors that await. Winner of the National Jewish Book Award "A triumphantly moving book." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Describes what a young dinosaur should do in order to quickly get over being sick.

Are you a writer longing to rediscover the joy that you once had in the craft (or even find it for the first time)? In this inspiring guide, Jane Yolen, an author who has been called America''s Hans Christian Andersen, shows writers how to focus on aspects of the craft that bring them joy. &break;&break;She remarks in the first chapter, "Save the blood and pain for real life, where tourniquets and ibuprofen can have some chance of helping. Do not be afraid to grab hold of the experience with both hands and take joy." &break;&break;Addressing topics all writers struggle with, Yolen discusses the writer''s voice, beginnings and endings, dealing with rejection, the technical aspects of writing, and the process of coming up with an idea–and deals with each of them in a way that focuses on the positive and eliminates the negative. &break;&break;As Yolen says, "Be prepared as you write to be surprised by your own writing, surprised by what you find out about yourself and about your world. Be ready for the happy accident." &break;&break;Get ready to take joy in your writing once again.

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)

Describes the many things that can be done with the hands, including holding the hands of a friend.

A richly expanded edition of the classic call-to-arms. Yolen argues perceptively that fantasy, folklore, and the realm of story provide our children with a "star map for our future". Six new essays tender fresh perspectives on the morality of fairy tales, time travel, the definition of story and, of course, why such themes are essential to the development of today''s children.

When twelve-year-old Nicola leaves Troupe Brufort and serves as the fool for Mary, Queen of Scots, she experiences the political and religious upheavals in both France and Scotland.

A woodland hunt reveals animals from A to Z. Includes musical score.

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.

Two women who sailed with Calico Jack Rackham and his pirates in the early 1700''s do their best to defend their ship while the men on board are busy drinking.

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

The unicorns flee from the noise, violence, and destruction of civilization and find refuge in the sea.

Master storyteller Jane Yolen and celebrated fantasy artist Rebecca Guay (Swamp Thing; Magic: The Gathering) weave a textured and lyrical tale of adventure, homelands, and heroism the hard way. Two hundred years ago, humans drove the dragons from the islands of May. Now, the last of the dragons rises to wreak havoc anew - with only a healer''s daughter and a kite-flying would-be hero standing in its way.