Black Pearls PDF
Preview Black Pearls
Seven gems based on traditional fairy tales make up this collection of unique short stories. In these beautifully written, sometimes harsh retellings, Cinderella craves the deaths of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters; Rapunzel is actually Rampion, the deceptive daughter of a kindly witch; and Erin, one of the seven dwarfs, falls in love with Snow White. Each freshly named fairy tale is told from an untraditional perspective, such as the harp from Jack and the Beanstalk, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, and a crippled child in The Pied Piper. Each contains enough clues to guide teens back to the familiar and sometimes innuendo-laden classic fairy tales of their childhoods, and Guay’s fantastical pencil drawings, a few of which include modestly posed nudes, enhance the sense of character and magic. Twisted, clever, and artfully written, these are high-quality additions to the fractured fairy-tale genre. Grades 9-12. --Frances Bradburn
Review“Rebecca Guay's curvaceous pencil drawings will draw fans to this worthwhile collection of sensuous fantasy." Kirkus May 1, 2008
Kirkus Reviews
"Twisted, clever, and artfully written, these are high-quality additions to the fractured fairy-tale genre." Booklist, April 15, 2008 Booklist, ALA
"The overall collection is...edgy, and the striking cover and wide-ranging stories will easily draw in readers." Bulletin June 2008 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This lovely addition to the genre of retold fairy tales, with Guay's ethereal black-and-white illustrations, will appeal to older teen and adult fairy tale fans." 3Q3p VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
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