Kerry and the Knight of the Forest

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest

By Andi Watson

Kerry’s parents are very sick and he is their only hope. So Kerry leaves their family farm to retrieve their lifesaving medicine.  As he skirts the forest on the way back, he is led astray by what appears to be a little girl.  But this girl isn’t what she seems.  As Kerry follows her into the woods, he quickly becomes lost.

The forest itself is filled with dangers.  From one-eyed monsters to mystical weed-filled swamps to captive children, Kerry finds peril wherever he runs.  He is desperate to find his way home, but every turn in the forest seems to take him further into darkness.

But on his travels, Kerry also meets an old forest creature called Waystone.  With his one eye and rock-like appearance, Waystone seems rather menacing.   But Kerry quickly learns that Waystone is the Knight of the Forest, a trustworthy fellow who is willing and able to lead Kerry back to his farm.

Even with Waystone on his side, moving through the dark forest is not easy.  But as danger closes in, Kerry unexpectedly finds friends too.  His open heart allows him to trust some of the forest dwellers, despite Waystone’s warnings.  Will Kerry’s faith in the goodness of the world be his ultimate downfall?

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that leads readers down the path of the old-fashioned lost-in-the-woods fairy tale.  By turns frightening and hopeful, Kerry will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Mighty Jack

Mighty Jack

By Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack is a modern interpretation of Jack and the Beanstalk.  You might call it a fractured fairy tale transformed into a graphic novel.

Jack has been left in charge of his autistic sister Maddy for the summer.  Of course, his mom has to work, but Jack doesn’t want the responsibility.  When Jack finally hears Maddy speak for the first time, he is so stunned that he lets her talk him into trading his mom’s car for some magic seeds.

Using those seeds, Jack and Maddy plant a garden in the backyard.  But the magical jungle that grows is more than they bargained for.  Onion babies that run around, plants that bite and other terrifying and thrilling creatures populate the garden.

As Jack and Maddy watch the garden grow, Maddy begins to come to out of her shell, connecting with the garden in ways Jack didn’t think were possible.  The garden also attracts Lilly, a neighbour from down the road.  Jack’s summer might just be turning around.  

But when the garden turns really sinister, Jack must make a decision: allow the magic to flourish, or save his sister’s life.  Both Maddy and Lilly want to keep the magic, no matter what the danger.  What should Jack do?

The Thickety: A Path Begins

The Thickety: A Path Begins

By J.A. White

Kara Westfall is a witch – at least that’s what the townsfolk keep telling her.  Her mother was a witch too, although Kara doesn’t remember any magic or spells.  She does remember a loving mother whom she misses very much.  

Kara’s mother’s legacy and reputation as a witch keeps Kara an outcast as she grows into her teenage years.  Her father can barely function since Kara’s mother died, so Kara runs the household.  She is the primary caregiver for Taff, her younger brother – and she would do anything to keep him safe.

The Westfalls live on an island and all the residents keep themselves separate from the rest of the world.  At the edge of the island lies the Thickety, a dense forest that constantly encroaches on “civilized” territory.  The islanders fear the Thickety, and its evil magic.

Although Kara must contend with disdain from all the villagers, her most vicious enemy is Grace Stone.  Grace is beloved by the people of the town, but Kara knows her for who she truly is: a bully who will do anything for power.

When Kara finds her mother’s grimoire, or spellbook, she learns that she is indeed capable of casting spells.  Her spells usually involve commanding the animals around her to do her bidding.  Kara has no evil intention, but she starts to become obsessed with magic... and her grimoire.  She can’t let anyone find it or take it from her.

Then the unthinkable happens: Grace finds the grimoire.  And both Kara and Grace uncover a terrible secret -- Grace is a witch too.  Her ability to cast spells and her quest for power brings evil to the town.  Only Kara can save the villagers who have always cast her out.

First in a series of four books, The Thickety is written like a fairy tale.  It’s full of witches, spells and magic, as well as righteous folks who fear that magic and feel they must drive it from the island.  If you love this kind of fantasy story, immerse yourself in The Thickety!

 

Bad Hair Day

Bad Hair Day

By Sarah Mlynowski

Imagine having a magical mirror that allows you to cross over to all of your favourite fairy tales. You can walk through the mirror at midnight and play around in the fairy tale, you even have the power to change the story. This is number 5 in the Whatever After series; Bad Hair Day. Jonah and Abby have this secret magic mirror hidden in their basement, it takes them to Fairy Tale Land. Just knock on the frame three times and the fairy, Mary Rose, will let you in. This adventure takes the two into the tale of Rapunzel. These fractured fairy tales have humour, adventure and lessons to be learned. Abby and Jonah get into a bit of trouble and tangle this classic tale up, they need to make things right, but will they be able to? Find out by picking up a copy or listening to the audio book today!

This instalment is available in our junior series section and on audiobook from Hoopla. 

The Unfairest of Them All

By Shannon Hale

From the Ever After High series comes The Unfairest of Them All. This is book 2 in the Ever After series. Shannon Hale has a writing style that includes mistakes, silly jokes and cheesy puns, which are delightfully endearing. Readers follow Raven, the daughter of Evil Queen, and Apple, the daughter of Snow White, as they try to find their place in their perspective fairy tales. The two are learning about themselves and that sometimes you may need to be a little bad to make things good. There is an ongoing feud between the Royals and the Rebels. This feud may need to be put aside to save everyone's happy endings. Will Apple and Raven follow the rules and stick to the book or make their own rules and write their own stories? Will the Royals and the Rebels be able to put aside their differences before it is too late? Will they learn how to follow their hearts? Readers will enjoy the lessons and humor within these pages.

Down the Mysterly River

By Bill Willingham

Award winning author, Bill Willingham brings us Down the Mysterly River. Through this tale readers get a glimpse into a world beyond the pages of a book. This is a suspenseful story about friendship and adventure. Four unconventional friends meet and take off on a mysterious undertaking. Our main character Max, one day finds himself in a strange land and with a loss of memory. He makes friends with a badger named Branderbrock, a black bear named Walden, a cat named McTavish the Monster. All of these creatures can talk and have a loss of memory just like Max. They band together to discover who they are, and why they are here and what they need to do to survive. They face evil forces, great threats and they persevere.

I enjoyed the twists and turns in this story, I especially like the twist at the end and I think you will too.

A Tale Dark & Grimm

by Adam Gidwitz

You may think you know the story of Hansel and Gretel - the Brother Grimm's fairy tale about the siblings who were almost eaten by an evil witch who lived in a gingerbread house.  But you've never heard this version before.  The author weaves the story of Hansel and Gretel into eight other classic Grimm-inspired fairy tales.

Full of adventure, warlocks, hunters, dragons and a narrator that interrupts the story with advice to the reader, this is a great adventure story for kids looking for a well-written fractured fairy tale or horror story.  As the narrator states, 'It may be frightening, it's certainly bloody, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart, but unlike those other fairy tales you know, this one is true.'

You'll want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens to Hansel and Gretel next