Newbery Books Worth Reading: The Blue Sword

Robin McKinley was one of my favorite authors growing up. She writes retellings of classic fairy tales, including two different versions of Beauty and the Beast. And she writes some original fantasy books. The Blue Sword is one of them and it was a Newbery Honor book in 1983. 

McKinley wrote strong female leads before there was so much emphasis on making sure girls read books with strong female leads. In The Blue Sword a young orphaned girl is destined to wield a legendary sword and become the king's rider. I loved reading it as a young girl and I still love it. It's a great book for girls, but there's plenty of action and adventure for boys to enjoy too. And it's definitely a Newbery book worth reading.

You can buy this book on Amazon (affiliate link) or at your local independent book store.
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The Blue Sword
By Robin McKinley
Publisher: Greenwillow
Year: 1982
Ages: Middle Grade, Young Adult
Themes: Newbery Honor, Fantasy

Two Beauty and the Beast Tales

Before there was Shannon Hale, there was Robin McKinley. She was my favorite writer of fantasy and fairy tales when I was a teenager, and she remains in my top five.

One of the most interesting things about her books is that she wrote two different versions of Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of the Beauty & the Beast was published in 1978. It's a beautiful and simple retelling. I've reread it many times over the years. It's easy enough and appropriate for kids as young as 10, possibly younger if they're an advanced reader.

Have you ever reread a book many years later and found that it was a very different book? Robin McKinley went a step further and revisited Beauty and the Beast to write a completely different story almost 20 years after her first one. I love Rose Daughter as much as I love Beauty, but for different reasons. Rose Daughter is for an older audience (though still completely appropriate content-wise). The writing is at a more advanced level and the story is deeper, more mature, and more intriguing.

I've always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast in its many forms. Is there a classic story you return to over and over again in different tellings?

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You can find Beauty and Rose Daughter on Amazon (affiliate links) or at your local independent book store.