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.

The Black Cauldron (Lloyd Alexander)

Author Biography

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was the widely renowned author of numerous fantasy novels, most famously The Chronicles of Prydain. His honors include a 1966 Newbery Honor for The Black Cauldron and the 1969 Newbery Medal for The High King.

Published By: Holt, Reinhart and Winston

Year: 1965

ISBN: 0-8050-0992-2

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

A year after their adventures in The Book of Three, Taran and his friends join the lords of Prydain on a quest to destroy the Black Cauldron of Arawn. This quest proves darker than Taran ever expected and drags him headlong into new maturity.

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?

The Hero and the Crown (Robin McKinley)

Author Biography

Robin McKinley has won multiple awards for her young adult fantasy novels, including the 1985 Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown. She lives in Hampshire, England.

Published By: Greenwillow Books

Year: 1984

ISBN: 0-688-02593-5

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Awkward, unfeminine, of questionable blood, and with no magical skills, Aerin is an outcast in the royal court despite being the king’s daughter. But when a deadly dragon and wicked wizard threaten the kingdom, she just might prove herself a hero.

Lioness Rampant (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: 1988

ISBN: 0-689-31116-8

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Alanna searches for the Dominion Jewel, which allegedly has the power to save a troubled realm. Her search could hardly be timelier, as sudden tragedy and an old enemy’s return bring Tortall to the brink of destruction.

Huntress (Malinda Lo)

Huntress (Malinda Lo)

Author Biography

Malinda Lo has written four LGBTQ-themed novels for young adults and is the former managing editor of AfterEllen.com, the largest entertainment news website for lesbians and bisexual women.

Published By: Little, Brown and Company

Year: 2011

ISBN: 978-0-316-04007

Reading Level: Grades 10 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

When endless winter threatens the Kingdom, Kaede and Taisin are sent to seek help from the Fairy Queen. But will the two girls have the strength to face the journey’s dangers, as well as their own forbidden love for each other?