Rumpelstiltskin Wrap-Up

So, Rumpelstiltskin is really the first “problem” fairy tale we’ve looked at (yes, okay, fine, we’ve only looked at three so far, but just go with me on this one). East of the Sun is just fantastic all on its own, and Beauty and the Beast isn’t a great story, but at least it follows a basic pattern of logic and reason. But ( Read more... )

he Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn

Target Audience: YA/Teen

Summary: The year is 1880 and Bertie, having just arrived in New York with her family, is grateful to be given work as a seamstress in the home of textile tycoon J.P. Wellington. When the Wellington family fortune is threatened, Bertie’s father boasts that Bertie will save the business, that ( Read more... )

Hey there! Longer post today, but to be fair, I was essentially reviewing six stories! Sorry for the delay, and enjoy!

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

Target Audience: YA/Teen

Summary: The story of Rumpelstiltskin has long bothered author Vivian Vande Velde. And so she set off to do what every bothered author does - write until she’s ( Read more... )

Guest Post: Straw Into Gold with Heidi!
Hey there, folks! So, my review of The Rumpelstiltskin Problem is coming -- look for it Monday -- but it's been a crazy week, and so I'm gonna turn this Friday over to my good friend Heidi, who will likely be writing a few guest posts for me in the months to come. So over to Heidi!

Hello, everyone. Heidi, here ( Read more... )

A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C Bunce

Target Audience: YA/Teen

Summary: Charlotte Miller’s father has died, and left her struggling under a crushing debt she didn’t know existed. If she can’t pay back her father’s mysterious loan, she’ll lose the mill that’s been in her family for five generations, and her tiny town will lose its major source of ( Read more... )

Spinners by Donna Jo Napoli and Richard Tchen

Target Audience: YA/Teen

Summary: This is the story of two spinners. The first honed his craft at a stolen wheel, cramping and cramping his leg, turning a room of straw into a glittering dress for his beloved - and losing her. The second steals moments to teach herself, moments from her father’s eye. They ( Read more... )

Rumpelstiltskin (According to Cassie)

So basically, there’s this miller, and he’s a dumbass. Seriously. He spends most of his time going around telling tall tales, stretched truths, and just flat-out lies to all the people he encounters. Specifically, one day, he gets it in his head to go around and tell people that his daughter is so skilled a ( Read more... )