Wild Orchid: A Retelling of "The Ballad of Mulan" (Cameron Dokey)

Author Biography

Cameron Dokey has written more than thirty books for young adults, including several titles in the Once Upon a Time series of fairy-tale and legend retellings. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Published By: Simon Pulse

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7168

Reading Level: Grades 6 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Fiery, tomboyish, and skilled in the arts of combat, Mulan is a wildflower like the orchids she was named for. But does she have the mettle to go to war against China’s greatest enemies, while hiding her gender from her fellow soldiers?

Bound (Donna Jo Napoli)

Author Biography

Donna Jo Napoli is head of the linguistics department at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She has written dozens of books for children, tweens and young adults alike.

Published By: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Year: 2004

ISBN: 0-689-86175-3

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

In this Chinese-flavored “Cinderella” retelling, Xing Xing is an unwanted stepdaughter in a society where girls are worthless. But will she be bound by oppression forever?