Sara Lewis Holmes

Gr 5–8—A metafictional retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood." In the Puszcza, an ancient forest with magical roots, fairy tales are real—magicked 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 alienate—a 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

"Holmes' eerie, anachronistic storytelling style is perfectly suited for this postmodern fairy tale pastiche. . . . Holmes' dreamy narrative is not to be missed for fans of fairy tales and fairy tale retellings." -- Booklist

"This might land well with fans of Ursu's Breadcrumbs, and the triumphant conclusion could please fans of fairy tales with happy endings." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"With its vivid Eastern European–flavored setting, dreamlike internal logic, and hopeful ending, this re-casting of traditional folklore will captivate readers." ---The Horn Book

"This is a true fairy tale, a deep forest of a book. The Wolf Hour swallowed me whole." -- Laurel Snyder, author of Orphan Island

"The narration of this audiobook is spectacular. Thérèse Plummer brings power, venom, and precision, and David de Vries demonstrates equal power, along with warmth and humor. They transport listeners into the Polish Puszcza--a forest cold, dark, and full of magic. And wolves. And stories." ---AudioFile (Earphone Award)