Holmes' (Operation Yes, 2009) eerie, anachronistic storytelling style is perfectly suited for this postmodern fairy tale pastiche, woven together from several familiar tales. As an omniscient, enigmatic narrator explains, "a story, no matter who makes it, isn't a series of events plopped hodgepodge on the dinner table. No, these events must be arranged in the right order. Served in courses, if you will." That arrangement centers around the Puszcza, the mysterious, menacing, and sometimes even magical forest surrounding the tiny village where Magia lives with her family. Magia wants nothing more than to follow in Tata's (her woodcutter father) footsteps, but when a misunderstood wolf, three meddling pigs, and a scheming witch get their stories crossed, it's up to Magia to sort everything out. Though it may not be clear at first how all of the pieces fit together, Holmes' dreamy narrative is not to be missed for fans of fairy tales and fairy tale retellings.

During a singing lesson, Magia discovers the eerie bone flutes music teacher Miss Grand has been using to ensorcel the townspeople. Afterward, nothing goes right for Magia and her family, and improving their circumstances comes at a high price. With its vivid Eastern Europeanflavored setting, dreamlike internal logic, and hopeful ending, this re-casting of traditional folklore will captivate readers.

Little Red Riding Hood meets the Three Little Pigs—literally—in this fairy-tale mashup set in Poland. Magia lives with her parents, brother, and sister near the Puszcza, a mysterious forest that is greatly feared by villagers—along with the wolves that roam it. Rejecting traditional gender roles, Magia longs to become a woodcutter like Tata. She soon finds more adventure than she bargained for, wandering into the Puszcza alone; caring for a gentle, literate, orphaned wolf cub who also defies convention; battling wits with a bloodthirsty witch; and trying to rescue her family from a terrible enchantment. It emerges that the power-hungry witch holds everyone in thrall—from the little girls she tempts with a red, hooded cape to the three little pigs who just want their mother back—through her manipulation of stories. Although folk tales rely on archetypes, a novel-length fairy-tale fantasy requires more character development than is present here. The only clue to the setting is the sprinkling of Polish words whose origin many young readers may not recognize, with little sense of Polish culture conveyed in other ways. Additionally, neither of the folk tales incorporated into the story is traditionally Polish. There is a bit too much going on in this convoluted tale, making it difficult for readers to plunge in and fully immerse themselves. (Fantasy. 10-14)

The story of Little Red Riding Hood intersects with that of the Three Little Pigs in this complex fantasy, set in and around an alluring but treacherous Polish forest known as the Puszcza. In this folktale world, readers meet a woodcutter-s daughter named Magia, who is enticed by a powerful red cape offered to her by a carefully disguised witch; a young wolf named Martin who has no sense of tracking but adores books; and three pigs who long for their absent mother. As these narrative strands intersect, the retellings illustrate the power of story (Martin-s mother has taught him to believe that -stories can kill you-) while blending humorous details, such as Martin-s photographic memory of his books, with an abundance of magic. Holmes (Operation Yes) offers additional ruminations on the nature of story in occasional notes directed at readers. But although elements of these interwoven tales are individually compelling, such as Magia-s desire to ease her mother-s depression, the machinations and intersections become excessively complicated, causing the storytelling to bog down. Ages 8-12. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. (Sept.)

Gr 5-8A metafictional retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood." In the Puszcza, an ancient forest with magical roots, fairy tales are realmagicked and crafted into being by a sly Witch. But two characters, Magia, a brave woodcutter's daughter in a red cap; and Martin, a wolf who loves to read and is curious about humans, don't fit their prescribed roles. When Magia's family is threatened, she sets out for the dark forest. Martin does the same after his beloved mother goes missing. The two are on a collision course, but will their stories follow the same old path readers have come to expect? In a heady mix of folklore and fantasy, Holmes offers a meditation on fate, expectations, and the ability of people to determine their own futures. It is also an exploration of stories and the ways story can be used to harm, misinform, and alienatea timely topic indeed. Flowery syntax and a sprinkling of Polish terms make this a sophisticated read best suited to fantasy and fairy tale lovers with an appreciation for language. VERDICT Unique and challenging, this retelling will be welcomed by fans of Gregory Maguire's Egg and Spoon and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon.Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal