Ortberg embraces the matter-of-fact-despite-the-unreality writing style of folklore and fairy tales. Like an aquarium keeper, she points out the silliness of the imaginary world while her characters are trapped within it.
ACCENT: THE TURNIP PRINCESS
The archetypal story of untapped treasure has been proven possible again. Erika Eichenseer discovered thirty boxes of von Schonwerth’s manuscripts just waiting to be uncovered. Hoping to find such a trove, Eichenseer brought to light what had been stored in the Regensburg archive for more than a century. Fairy tales are fantastical by their…
ACCENT: A Little Russian Collection
Gregory Maguire, best known for his Wicked books, is back with another revisionist fairy tale. This time, he weaves together classic Russian elements — Baba Yaga, Faberge eggs, endless train tracks, snow laden countryside — in this middle grade novel. Elena is a young girl who lives in a dying country town. There is no…