Classic Connections

One of my favorite units in my book, What's New in Young Adult Novels? and Ideas for Classroom Use, is "Classic Connections" which recommends novels that incorporate elements of classic literature but with a twist.  Pairing the new novel with the classic material gives students the opportunity to appreciate the clever variations that the modern authors imagine. Whether authors are reimagining a recognizable plot in a modern setting or just incorporating elements of a classic into their story, those familiar with the original material will delight in the connection. One of my favorite finds this month is By the Book by Amanda Sellet, which is basically an homage to Jane Austen's Emma, but references many other 19th century classics as well. Hood by Jenny Elder Moke tells the story of the daughter of Robin Hood and Maid Marien. Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan is a spin on "The Lady or the Tiger" and The Circus Rose by Betsey Cornwell reimagines the tale of Snow White and Rose Red. 

In By the Book Mary Porter-Malcolm, a lover of 19th century literature, has transferred to public school after her charter school closes.  When her best friend jilts her the first day at Millville High, Mary is forlorn.  However, she is soon befriended by Arden, Lydia and Terry, a group of girls who value her literature inspired advice.  She warns them against cads like Alex Ritter, whom she knows from her twin sisters' Shakespearean theater group, and they begin compiling a "Scoundrel Survival Guide."  But as she works to find suitable matches for her friends and they for her, Mary finds herself succumbing to Alex's charms.  As Mary's meddling leads to an emotional fallout and she struggles to make amends, she asks herself, "What would Jane Austen do?" The many classic works referenced in the book are explained in a clever Works Cited afterward to the Scoundrel Survival Guide. The classic connections are icing on the cake in this witty romantic comedy.

Hood, the story of Isabelle of Kirklees, finds the daughter of Robin Hood and Maid Marien living in a monastery with her mother Prioress Marien.  In trying to defend some villagers, Isabelle kills a man and becomes the target of King John's right-hand man Wolf.  For her protection her mother sends Isabelle on a mission to find her father, whom she's never met.  Meanwhile, Marien has been taken prisoner and held as bait, so that Robin and his men will fall into Wolf's trap.  Isabelle joins forces with Robin and his Merry Men to battle Wolf and defy the crown.  The Robin Hood backstory and Isabelle's coming-of-age amidst the Merry Men add to this thrilling tale of daring do, set in a world readers know and love.

Tiger Queen is set in the desert kingdom of Achra which is suffering from a terrible drought. Water is being rationed and to make matters worse, the Desert Boys are stealing water from the wells. The punishment for stealing water is having to choose between two doors in the arena. Behind one door lies freedom and the other a vicious tiger.  Kateri, an arrogant warrior princess, has promised her late mother she will protect her people. However, her father has dictated that Kateri has to fight against her suitors to win the right to rule.  If she can beat all twelve, she can assume the throne and pick her own husband.  Having bested the first eleven, Kateri must now fight her father's right-hand man and her trainer Rodic, who wants to be king.  Knowing she can't defeat him, she escapes to the desert to beg Cion, leader of the Desert Boys to train her.  He agrees and as she begins her training, she realizes things are not as they seem.  Ultimately, she joins the Desert Boys to right what is wrong in the kingdom and take her rightful place as Queen.

The Circus Rose, a queer reimagining of "Snow White and Rose Red," focuses on Ivory and Rosie, daughters of the Circus Rose's ring mistress.  After years on the road, they return to their birthplace, Port End, where fundamentalist preachers have taken over.  Rosie is attracted to women, but is in love with the circus's trained bear, whom she insists is a girl.  Ivory falls for Tam, a dark-skinned fey, neither male nor female, who has been hired as a magician.  The circus stages a spectacular homecoming show, but disaster strikes during Rosie's tightrope act and the circus tent burns down.  As they try to rebuild, performers are disappearing, as has their mother.  Ivory takes over as ring mistress and enlists Tam's help in getting to the bottom of the mysterious disappearances.  The present-tense, first-person narrative alternates between Rosie's pithy verse and Ivory's looping prose. This blend of fantasy and classic fiction will be available June 12th.