Zel

RL/IL: Young Adult: Grades 5-8
PAGES: 227
Rapunzel comes to life in this magical and detailed story of Zel, the fairy tale character, Rapunzel. Napoli weaves a fairy tale into a novel by extending the traditional Rapunzel story and making Zel a realistic heroine. High in the Swiss Mountains, Zel and her mother live a secluded and peaceful life, but Zel yearns for more socialization. When she and her mother take their semi-annual trip to town, Zel meets Konrad, the local prince who is in search of a bride.

Adhering closely to the original plot, Zel’s mother does the unthinkable. Feeling that their perfect mother/daughter relationship will die, Zel’s mother hides her away in a tower in order to protect her from the young prince.

Napoli uses three different points of view to tell the tale: Zel, Mother, and third person omniscient. With strong metaphors and symbolism, the tale is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Any mother can understand Mother’s attachment and every teen knows the feeling of isolation and eventually, freedom.

CONNECTIONS:
The Magic Circle
Ella Enchanted (Trophy Newbery)
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill (Princess Tales)
Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace

Post from: Blisstree

Zel, a Review

(Although Julie & The Lost Fairy Tale isn’t specifically a time travel novel, like others we’ve mentioned duing Time Travel Week, it does take the reader back into the childhood of Julie’s grandmother and we learn about another era.)

 Stories published as serials in newspapers before they’re compiled into book form dates back to Charles Dickens and other early novelists. Janie Lancaster, author of Julie & the Lost Fairy Tale,  experienced this.   Her book was available in numerous newspapers for the enjoyment of young readers before it appeared in book format this spring, published by Star Publish, LLC.

According to the synopsis, “In Julie’s story, you come across a mysterious travel chest, a lost fairy tale, Miss Eagle Eyes, an editor with a squirrel and kindred spirits. You travel back in time, go to an Extravaganza, and meet Cordelia Grimm, great, great granddaughter of one of the Brothers Grimm.”

While visiting her grandmother, Julie discovers in a travel chest, a manuscript in an old language. Supposedly it’s a fairy tale and getting it translated and published leads Julie into more adventures and discoveries. 

This is a tale I enjoyed from a reader, writer, and teacher’s viewpoint. It offers many opportunities, too, for teachers and parents to use it as a springboard to study literature, history, immigration, genealogy, and writing.  You’ll enjoy the illustrations, too.

Ms. Lancaster has free teacher’s lesson plans for the book available at her web site.  Also see a more detailed synopsis and excerpts.

(Amazon image; click on book cover for details)
©2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Julie & The Lost Fairy Tale, a Story by Janie Lancaster