Most Popular Books by Jane Yolen

Celebrating 30 years of the beloved classic Owl Moon from renowned children''s book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr! Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling, you don''t need words. You don''t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn''t an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind''s close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr''s soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading aloud and sharing at bedtime.

The largest single anthology of Jane Yolen''s poetry, containing more than one hundred poems for all occasions—with fun black-and-white art throughout. Our Kitchen Smells of mornings, blueberry muffins, hot chocolate, tea. It smells of bacon and of eggs. It smells of family. For the first time, legendary author Jane Yolen gathers the largest single anthology of her poetry celebrating childhood. At home or at school, playing sports or practicing music, enjoying the holidays or delighting in each season, Jane Yolen’s masterful collection shows just how lively it is to be a kid. With whimsical artwork by Cathrin Peterslund, this collection of more than one hundred poems is a classic that children are sure to return to again and again.

A Taino Indian boy on the island of San Salvador recounts the landing of Columbus and his men in 1492.

The legendary wizard’s early years are explored in this magical adventure by the acclaimed author of the Pit Dragon Chronicles. A boy is abandoned in the woods of medieval England. A year passes—a year of terror and hunger, of sleeping in trees and foraging for food, of outrunning packs of wild dogs—until one day a falconer captures and tames the boy as he would any passager, a young bird caught in the wild and trained. The falconer adopts the boy and teaches him all of the things he’s forgotten, including the boy’s true name—and the legacy of magic that will be his when he comes of age. Praise for Passager “This first book of the Young Merlin Trilogy will have readers awaiting the sequels.” —The Horn Book “Steeped in hawks, mews, and wood life, the trilogy evokes a romantic, dreamy time. But its unadorned language lets the story emerge in a guileless way that will captivate young readers. This is a fine read-aloud.” —San Diego Union Tribune

A richly expanded edition of the classic call-to-arms. Yolen argues perceptively that fantasy, folklore, and the realm of story provide our children with a "star map for our future". Six new essays tender fresh perspectives on the morality of fairy tales, time travel, the definition of story and, of course, why such themes are essential to the development of today''s children.

An unforgettable take on a favorite fairy tale by multi-award-winning author Jane Yolen Summer''s life in the mountains of West Virginia feels like a fairy tale--her parents dote on her, and she''s about to get a new baby brother. But when the baby dies soon after he''s born, taking their mother with him, Summer''s life turns grim. Things get even worse when her father marries a woman who brings poisons and magical mirrors into Summer''s world. Stepmama puts up a pretty face and Summer''s father is under her spell, but Summer suspects she''s up to no good--and is afraid she is powerless to stop her.

A Highland lad comes of age at the brutal battle of Culloden in 18th-century Scotland In the year 1745, the cry goes out across the Scottish Highlands for every able-bodied Scotsman to take up arms in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Stalwart and brave but prone to sudden seizures, young Duncan longs to join his da and the other men of clan MacDonald in the noble fight against the English. His father decrees the boy must remain behind, but the call to war is impossible to ignore, and when Duncan learns of his uncle’s death in battle, he joins his cousin Ewan and sets out to fight for their country and their prince. But the reality of war is not the glorious undertaking Duncan has long heard spoken of and sung in stirring ballads and stories—and on the battlefield of Culloden he will be tested in ways he never could have imagined and leave boyhood behind forever amid the blood, fire, and death. Critically acclaimed, award-winning authors Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris merge their considerable storytelling talents in a riveting, moving tale of a young boy’s rocky and perilous road to manhood. Richly atmospheric and firmly based in fact, Prince Across the Water is enthralling historical fiction—a powerful and unforgettable journey back in time and an unflinching look at the true face of war.

When Callie interviews the band, Brass Rat, for her school newspaper, her feelings are ambivalent, but when all the children of Northampton begin to disappear on Halloween, she knows where the dangerous search must begin.

"A triumphantly moving book." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Hannah dreads going to her family''s Passover Seder—she''s tired of hearing her relatives talk about the past. But when she opens the front door to symbolically welcome the prophet Elijah, she''s transported to a Polish village in the year 1942. Why is she there, and who is this "Chaya" that everyone seems to think she is? Just as she begins to unravel the mystery, Nazi soldiers come to take everyone in the village away. And only Hannah knows the unspeakable horrors that await. A critically acclaimed novel from multi-award-winning author Jane Yolen. "[Yolen] adds much to understanding the effects of the Holocaust, which will reverberate throughout history, today and tomorrow." —SLJ, starred review "Readers will come away with a sense of tragic history that both disturbs and compels." —Booklist Winner of the National Jewish Book Award An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"

A woodland hunt reveals animals from A to Z. Includes musical score.

Throughout the day, Baby Bear finds a book to fit every special moment.

In this sequel to "Sister Light, Sister Dark," the saga of Jenna, thrice prophesied White Queen, and her dark sister, Skada, continues as they cross a battle-torn land to save their true-born king.

An alien civilization is forever changed by the incursion of human social scientists—and an ancient prophecy—in this award-winning novel. The year is 2132 when members of the Anthropologist’s Guild set down on the planet Henderson’s IV, or L’Lal’lor as it is known to the native population. Charged with the nonintrusive study of alien cultures, the crew discovers a society containing no love or laughter. It is, instead, centered around death—a world of aristocratic and common folk in which grieving is an art and the cornerstone of life. But the alien civilization stands on the brink of astonishing change, heralded by the discovery of Linni, the Gray Wanderer, a young woman from the countryside whose arrival has been foretold for centuries. And for Anthropologist First Class Aaron Spenser, L’Lal’lor is a place of destructive temptations, seducing him with its mysterious, sad beauty, and leading him into an unthinkable criminal act. Told from the shifting viewpoints of characters both alien and human, and through records of local lore and transcripts of court martial proceedings, Cards of Grief is a thoughtful, lyrical, and spellbinding tale of first contact. It is a true masterwork of world building from Jane Yolen, a premier crafter of speculative fiction and fantasy. This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

The unicorns flee from the noise, violence, and destruction of civilization and find refuge in the sea.

A collection of thirteen traditional tales from various parts of the world, with the main character of each being a fearless, strong, heroic, and resourceful woman.

A breathtaking collection of literary fairy stories from an award-winning fantasist Author Jane Yolen speaks to the ancient magic within us all in this anthology of 30 grown-up fairy stories—lovely, lyrical, poignant, sometimes frightening tales of transformations and transfigurations, magical destinies and dangerous quests, strange visions, reawakenings, and just desserts. A past winner of the Nebula Award, World Fantasy Award, and numerous other honors, Yolen takes her rightful place alongside the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, combining innovative literary style with fables that reimagine the myths of old and some of her legendary predecessors’ most cherished characters: Cinderella, simple Jack, Guinevere, Icarus, and the Frog Prince. Step into Yolen’s wondrous realm of magic and dreams, where a curious young woman’s desire to read the future leads her to the weaver of tomorrow; a farm boy with the voice of an angel seeks out Lady Death to sing for the life of his mother; and a sow, a cow, and a mare set out together to see the world. These timeless stories tell of an eager girl’s entrance into the Hall of Grief and a sunless prince who fears the vengeance of a jealous star. A tree-bound young dryad longs to dance in the spring, and a grumpy old potter pours his heart and soul into his greatest work. Yolen’s stories are unforgettable tales of the heart and the spirit; they are truly tales of wonder.

A collection of poems about different places around the world that are considered sacred by various cultures, including Mecca, the Ganges River, and Christian cathedrals.

A tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane are met, in turn, with resilience and awe in this depiction of nature''s power and our own. In the face of our shifting climate, young children everywhere are finding themselves subject to unfamiliar and often frightening extreme weather. Beloved author Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple address four distinct weather emergencies (a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane) with warm family stories of finding the joy in preparedness and resilience. Their honest reassurance leaves readers with the message: nature is powerful, but you are powerful, too. Illustrated in rich environmental tones and featuring additional information about storms in the back, this book educates, comforts, and empowers young readers in stormy or sunny weather, and all the weather in between.

“This collection is Jane Yolen at her best. This is magic.”—Patricia C. Wrede, author of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles Fantasy icon Jane Yolen (The Devil’s Arithmetic, Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Lightship) is adored by generations of readers of all ages. Now she triumphantly returns with this inspired gathering of fractured fairy tales and legends. Yolen breaks open the classics to reveal their crystalline secrets: a philosophical bridge that misses its troll, a spinner of straw as a falsely accused moneylender, the villainous wolf adjusting poorly to retirement. Each of these offerings features a new author note and original poem, illuminating tales that are old, new, and brilliantly refined.

In Poland in the 1940s, twins Chaim and Gittel rely on each other to endure life in a ghetto, escape through forests, and the horrors of a concentration camp.

An evocative fantasy of a far-off time and place torn by a series of bizarre, magical events that end a culture and bring about the evolution of a new mythology.

Two women who sailed with Calico Jack Rackham and his pirates in the early 1700''s do their best to defend their ship while the men on board are busy drinking.

These princesses dig in the dirt, kick soccer balls, and splash in muddy puddles -- all in their sparkly crowns!

Relates how an old man teaches the emperor''s blind daughter to see.

A mermaid who cannot speak is banished from her undersea home and sent to live on land as a human where she is found by a 12-year-old girl with a hearing impairment.

Describes the many things that can be done with the hands, including holding the hands of a friend.

In this collection of poems that''s a science, poetry, and adventure story all rolled into one, noted children''s poet Jane Yolen takes readers on an expedition underground. This thought-provoking collection will evoke a sense of wonder and awe in readers, as they discover the mysterious world underneath us. Kids will explore everything from animal burrows, to human creations -- like subways -- to ancient cities and fossils. Even deeper down, there are caves, magma, and Earth''s tectonic plates. The illustrations show how girl and boy, accompanied by several animals, go on a fantastic underground journey. In these poems, young readers will see that beneath us are the past, the present, and the future.

Second in the thrilling young adult fantasy series from the award-winning author of Dragon’s Blood. “Readers . . . will welcome this one with delight.” —Booklist An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Jakkin now has everything he’s ever wanted—the rank of freeman, a string of victories in the dragon pits, and the companionship of his dragon, Heart’s Blood. Everything, that is, except for his beloved Akki, who vanished a year ago. To find her, Jakkin must become a rebel spy. He will risk everything he holds dear—Heart’s Blood, her hatchlings, even his hard-won freedom—and join in a game fiercer than any dragon pit match, a game he’ll lose no matter how well he plays. “Eloquent . . . rich in symbolism.” —The Horn Book

When beautiful Princess Miserella, Plain Jane, and a fairy fall under a sleeping spell, a prince undoes the spell in a surprising way. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

DIVDIVAward-winning author Jane Yolen transports readers to new realms of dragons, sprites, and rogues in twenty-seven magical stories and poems/divDIV “That’s what dragons are for, after all, to call forth heroes.”/divDIV /divDIVJane Yolen enchants and enthralls with an exquisite collection of short fiction and poetry brimming with sympathetic monsters, unlikely heroes, and all manner of magical amazements. Exploring the depths of human love, pain, and folly in these unforgettable tales, Yolen gives life to a cast of unforgettable characters: a selfless young woman whose sadness brings forth beautiful gifts, a deluded musician whose song spectacularly fails to soothe a savage beast, and an alien salvage crew mining gems from the mind of a dying poet. Here be dragons, outlaws, kings, mermen, and dream weavers, sprung from the unparalleled imagination of one of the world’s foremost fantasists./divDIV /divDIVThis ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book. /div/div

From acclaimed, prolific author Jane Yolen comes a colorful Level 1 Ready-to-Read story all about making friends at school. A little fish cannot wait to play with his new friend. Then he starts to worry: “What if she thinks that I’m too slow? That I don’t know just how to go with the flow?” Luckily, he discovers he has nothing to worry about!

Jane Yolen poetically reminds young readers that a simple box can be a child''s most imaginative plaything as artist Chris Sheban illustrates its myriad and magical uses. Reviews -Booklist, November 2021 “A Box! A box is a wonder indeed. The only such magic that you’ll ever need.” This book offers gentle suggestions for what to do with a cardboard box, from the practical to the fantastical and from solitary to social.”

DIVDIVBefore the legendary Arthur became king, he took lessons from a dragon . . ./divDIV Artos is a lonely child, teased or ignored by the other boys in the castle of Sir Ector. One day, he follows Sir Ector’s runaway hound into a mysterious, dark cave, where he encounters a dragon who offers him the gift of wisdom./divDIV /divDIVBoth frightened and intrigued, Artos becomes the dragon’s student and gains what he’s always longed for: the friendship and respect of other boys. Under the guidance of the dragon, Artos’s life begins to take shape in a way he could never have imagined. But has Artos really learned everything the dragon has to teach? And what does the dragon mean when he refers to him as “Artos Pendragon,” or “Arthur son of dragon”? This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book./div/div

A collection of thirty shareable fairy tales, folk tales, and fables from around the world that includes magic tales, homey tales, animal tales, and two tales by Jane Yolen.

When twelve-year-old Nicola leaves Troupe Brufort and serves as the fool for Mary, Queen of Scots, she experiences the political and religious upheavals in both France and Scotland.

Having been presumed dead, Jakkin and Akki finally return to Austar IV with newfound skills, and the knowledge that what they have learned could either transform their planet or destroy it.

Jane Yolen''s wintry, shivery poems are inspired by the stunning photographs of Jason Stemple, who has captured the imagesof snow in all its breathtaking beauty. After children enjoy these poems and pictures, they will look at snow in a different way --with their imaginations as well as your eyes.

Just like kids, little dinosaurs hate being sick. And going to the doctor can be pretty scary. As in their previous book, Yolen and Teague capture children''s fears about being sick and put them to rest with playful read-aloud verse and wonderfully amusing pictures. Full color.

A prince who has tired of his life at court aspires to lead the simple life, but finds it much harder than he imagined.