The Realms of the Gods (Tamora Pierce)

Author Biography

Tamora Pierce has written numerous renowned fantasy novels, set in either the “Tortall” universe or the “Circle” universe. In 2013 she received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her body of work.

Published By: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Year: 1996

ISBN: 0-689-86209-I

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Transported to the Divine Realms to save their lives, Daine and Numair must find their way back to Tortall, where their friends need them. But can two mortals survive all the dangers that litter the realms of the gods, or the dangers awaiting them back home?

Sacrifice (Cindy Pon)

Author Biography

Cindy Pon is the author of four YA fantasy novels and a member of the We Need Diverse Books advisory board. In 2011, she co-founded the Diversity in YA blog with Malinda Lo.

Published By: Month9Books

Year: 2016

ISBN-10: 978-1-944816-92-6

ISBN-13: 978-1-944816-52-0

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Following the events of Serpentine, Skybright begins her new demonic existence with no hope of seeing her loved ones again. But fate will soon reunite them as terrifying supernatural forces threaten them all.

The Great Tree of Avalon: Child of the Dark Prophecy/Merlin, Book 9: The Great Tree of Avalon (T.A. Barron)

Author Biography

T.A. Barron is a prolific author of books for children and young adults, particularly in the fantasy genre, as well as an active founder and supporter of conservation causes. He lives in Colorado.

Published By: Penguin Group USA

Year: 2004

ISBN: 0-399-23763-1

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

According to the Lady of the Lake’s Dark Prophecy, a child born seventeen years ago will threaten to destroy Avalon, and only Merlin's true heir can save it. But when will these prophesized figures appear – and who could they be?

Emperor Mage (Tamora Pierce)

Author Biography

Tamora Pierce has written numerous renowned fantasy novels, set in either the “Tortall” universe or the “Circle” universe. In 2013 she received the Margaret A. Edwards award for her body of work.

Published By: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Year: 1995

ISBN: 0-689-85613-X

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

When a peace delegation travels from Tortall to the empire of Carthak, Daine is invited to join them. Little does she know that the gods are angry with the ruthless Emperor Ozorne… and willing to use her magic as a tool to punish him.

Serpentine (Cindy Pon)

Author Biography

Cindy Pon is the author of four YA fantasy novels and a member of the We Need Diverse Books advisory board. In 2011, she co-founded the Diversity in YA blog with Malinda Lo.

Published By: Month9Books

Year: 2015

ISBN-10: 1942664338

ISBN-13: 978-1942664338

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Young handmaiden Skybright is more like a sister than a servant to her mistress Zhen Ni. But will their friendship survive if Zhen Ni learns Skybright’s dark secret – that she is actually half-human, half-serpent demon?

Shadow Scale (Rachel Hartman)

Author Biography

Rachel Hartman is a Vancouver-based comic book artist and music lover. Seraphina and Shadow Scale are her first two novels.

Published By: Random House

Year: 2015

ISBN: 978-0-375-86657-9

Reading Level: Grades 10 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

As a dragon war rages, Seraphina sets out on a quest to find other half-dragons like herself. But can she elude a powerful villainess who aims to hijack her mission for her own sinister purpose?

Wolf-Speaker (Tamora Pierce)

Author Biography

Tamora Pierce has written numerous renowned fantasy novels, set in either the “Tortall” universe or the “Circle” universe. In 2013 she received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her body of work.

Published By: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Year: 1994

ISBN: 0-689-31833-2

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up.

Reader’s Annotation:

Summoned to Dunlath Valley by its wolves, Daine finds its resources being depleted and a plot brewing against the crown. With her increasingly powerful wild magic, can she stop the villains in time?

Roses (G.R. Mannering)

Author Biography

G.R. Mannering (aka Rose Mannering) signed with the literary agency Creative Authors at age eighteen and secured her first publishing deal a year later. She lives in Kent, England.

Published By: Sky Pony Press

Year: 2013

ISBN: 978-1-62087-988-7

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

With silver skin, white hair, purple eyes and magic in her veins, Beauty grows up as a despised outcast. But in fleeing from persecution, she finds a new life in a mysterious castle… a castle that belongs to a Beast.

The Seven Songs of Merlin/Merlin, Book 2: The Seven Songs (T.A. Barron)

Author Biography

T.A. Barron is a prolific author of books for children and young adults, particularly in the fantasy genre, as well as an active founder and supporter of conservation causes. He lives in Colorado.

Published By: Penguin Group USA

Year: 1997

ISBN: 978-0-399-25021-7

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

When young Merlin’s reckless use of magic puts his mother in danger, he sets out on a quest to save her. On this quest, he must master the Seven Songs of Wizardry, and learn what it means to be a great wizard and a wise man.

Seraphina (Rachel Hartman)

Author Biography:

Rachel Hartman is a Vancouver-based comic book artist and music lover. Seraphina and its sequel Shadow Scale are her first novels.

Published By: Random House

Year: 2012

ISBN: 0375866566

Reading Level: Grades 10 and up.

Reader’s Annotation:

In a world where dragons can take human form, secret half-dragon Seraphina serves as a musician at the royal court. What will happen when the kingdom faces a draconian enemy, who might be Seraphina’s own flesh and blood?

Beast (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: 2000

ISBN: 0-689-83589-2

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

This retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” offers a Middle Eastern-flavored spin on the tale, told from the Beast’s point of view. Prince Orasmyn is transformed into a lion, a curse that only a woman’s love can break.