Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that are all about classic retellings! These are stories that have been inspired by books that are considered to be classics that have been written in the past and are now used as inspiration for newer books. Some follow the storylines pretty consistently while others completely turn the story on its head with role reversals, different points of view, settings, or even introducing elements such as science fiction and fantasy. Some of them may be from classic titles that you have heard of before while others may be completely new to you and now you may feel the need to go back to the original source material and read that version as well. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthclassicsretelling as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
The Last Musketeer by Stuart Gibbs--In Paris with his parents to sell family heirlooms, fourteen-year-old Greg Rich suddenly finds himself four hundred years in the past, and is aided by boys who will one day be known as "The Three Musketeers."
The Actual and Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher by Jessica Lawson--What if Becky Thatcher was the adventurous troublemaker, and Tom Sawyer the goody-two-shoes and tattletale? This is just the alternate story author Lawson has provided. In 1860, 11-year-old Becky is grieving for her brother Jon. Before he died, Jon made Becky promise him that she would have an adventurous life. Following through on this promise, Becky convinces Amy Lawrence to help her win a bet against the boys at school to see who can steal from Widow Douglas. However, the theft goes awry, and Widow Douglas ends up being accused of grave robbing! Now Becky knows she has to make things right.
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry--This rip-roaring prequel to "Peter Pan" features outstanding characters--those we already know and love, and some new ones as well. Peter and his troop of orphan boys are joined on the Never Land ship by Molly and her father. Molly is a Starcatcher--a member of a secret society whose function is to protect "starstuff," a magical substance that falls from the sky and gives extraordinary powers such as happiness and the ability to fly. When their ship wrecks, Peter, Molly, and the boys must save a trunk of the starstuff from falling into the hands of Black Stache and his wicked pirate crew.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz--This is not your typical bedtime story. The dark tale begins when Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other lesser-known Grimm fairy tales in search of a new family after their father betrays them. The siblings' harrowing adventure is fraught with enemies and they must escape one dangerous situation after another, but eventually Hansel and Gretel create their own happy ending.
Reflection by Elizabeth Lim--Shan Yu mortally wounds Captain Shang, sending his spirit to the Underworld. In order to save him from certain death, Mulan travels to the Underworld, Diyu, to free him from the ruler, King Yama. But King Yama will not let Shang's spirit go easily, so Mulan, still disguised as Ping, embarks on a great adventure with the help of Shang's lion guardian ShiShi. She has until sunrise to find Shang's soul or else she becomes a prisoner in Diyu forever; and all the while, she wrestles with the decision to reveal her true identity before it's too late.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley--Retells the classic story of Frankenstein in a graphic novel format.