Jane Yolen

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About Jane Yolen

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

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Books By Jane Yolen

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Not One Damsel in Distress: Heroic Girls from World Folklore Jul 10, 2018

by Jane Yolen , Susan Guevara

( 22 )

$9.99

From celebrated author Jane Yolen comes this inspiring collection of folktales from around the world, all featuring strong female heroes.

These fifteen folktales have one thing in common: brainy, bold, brave women—and not one damsel in distress! There is Bradamante, the fierce medieval knight; Li Chi, the Chinese girl who slays a dreaded serpent and saves her town; Makhta, a female warrior who leads her Sioux tribe into battle; and many more women who use their cunning, wisdom, and strength to succeed.

Drawing from diverse cultures around the world, renowned author Jane Yolen celebrates the female heroes of legend and lore in a collection that will empower every reader. This new edition features two brand-new stories from Azerbaijan and Indonesia, and enhanced illustrations.

Other Formats: Hardcover

Children of the Wolf Jul 2, 2013

by Jane Yolen

( 5 )

$6.49

Inspired by true events, the story of two girls raised by wolves
Mohandas lives in the Home, a Christian orphanage in Godamuri, India, close to the jungle. The people of Godamuri beg the orphanage’s director, the Reverend Mr. Welles, to get rid of the ghosts, called manush-bagha, haunting their village. When the Reverend investigates, he discovers that the “ghosts” are really two human girls living with a pack of wolves. Mohandas’s life is altered forever when the Reverend brings the two girls to live at the orphanage. Reverend Welles is sure that with time and attention, the girls will learn to speak and become civilized. But the other children do not like these strange creatures who walk on all fours, refuse to wear clothes, eat raw chicken, and howl at the moon. Only Mohandas is willing to show the wolf-sisters a little kindness. But is kindness enough to make them human? This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Cards of Grief Jun 18, 2013

by Jane Yolen

( 33 )

$7.99

An alien civilization is forever changed by the incursion of human social scientists—and an ancient prophecy—in this award-winning novel.
The year is 2132 when members of the Anthropologist’s Guild set down on the planet Henderson’s IV, or L’Lal’lor as it is known to the native population. Charged with the nonintrusive study of alien cultures, the crew discovers a society containing no love or laughter. It is, instead, centered around death—a world of aristocratic and common folk in which grieving is an art and the cornerstone of life. But the alien civilization stands on the brink of astonishing change, heralded by the discovery of Linni, the Gray Wanderer, a young woman from the countryside whose arrival has been foretold for centuries. And for Anthropologist First Class Aaron Spenser, L’Lal’lor is a place of destructive temptations, seducing him with its mysterious, sad beauty, and leading him into an unthinkable criminal act. Told from the shifting viewpoints of characters both alien and human, and through records of local lore and transcripts of court martial proceedings, Cards of Grief is a thoughtful, lyrical, and spellbinding tale of first contact. It is a true masterwork of world building from Jane Yolen, a premier crafter of speculative fiction and fantasy. This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

The Bagpiper's Ghost (Tartan Magic Book 2) Sep 29, 2015

by Jane Yolen

( 8 )

$7.99

A boy becomes possessed by an angry ghost after a visit to a Scottish graveyard

Twins Jennifer and Peter rarely get along, except when it comes to their fascination with ghosts, magic, and mystery. While visiting their grandmother in Scotland, the 2 children sneak off to a graveyard—which unfortunately turns out to be a very, very bad idea. Jennifer and Peter were hoping to see the ghost of Mary MacFadden, who died of a broken heart when her brother, Andrew, forbade her marriage. Instead, Andrew’s angry ghost takes over Peter’s body, and if Jennifer and their grandmother can’t get the spirit to leave within 24 hours, Peter will be gone forever!

A story rich in Scottish lore and supernatural surprises, The Bagpiper’s Ghost is a wonderful treat for young readers and for fantasy lovers of any age who remain gloriously and unapologetically youthful at heart.

The Bagpiper’s Ghost is the 3rd Tartan Magic book, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Dogs of the Drowned City #1: The Storm Apr 1, 2012

by Dayna Lorentz

( 57 )

$3.99

Warriors and Guardians of Ga'Hoole fans have a new animal adventure to sink their teeth into!
A terrible storm -- and the beginning of a thrilling new animal adventure trilogy!
When a hurricane forces his family to evacuate without him, Shep the German sheperd is confused. Where is his boy? Will he ever return? And what will Shep do in the meantime, now that the extra bowls of food -- not to mention all those tasty things he found in the big cold box -- are gone?
Then another dog shows up at Shep's window and convinces him to escape. There's food outside, and a whole empty city to explore. Shep just wants to go home ... but the adventure of a lifetime is just beginning.

Other Formats: Paperback

Stone Angel Mar 3, 2015

by Jane Yolen , Katie May Green

( 12 )

$9.99

The Nazis may have taken their home, but the family still has a guardian angel

In this emotionally rich story, a little girl and her family live happily in Paris until Nazi soldiers arrive druing World War II. She and her family must flee or risk being sent to a concentration camp, so they run into the woods, where they meet resistance fighters. But they're still not safe. They must cross tall mountains and sail in a rickety boat to England. Yet the whole time they're struggling to survive, the little girl thinks of the stone angel near their apartment in Paris and imagines it watching over her family.

Offering a never-before-told story of the Holocaust, Jane Yolen returns to the material she mined in the award-winning THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC. Filled with sorrow, hope, comfort, and triumph, this gorgeously illustrated book is sure to become a modern classic–offering adults a perfect vehicle with which to share a difficult subject.

Praise for STONE ANGEL:

* "This story provides a wonderful addition to materials about World War II and the Holocaust, and is appropriate for even the gentlest of readers."--School Library Connection *STARRED*

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Audio CD

Curse of the Thirteenth Fey: The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty Nov 8, 2012

by Jane Yolen

( 15 )

$7.99

You think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but the real story is far more spellbinding…

Gorse is the thirteenth and youngest in a family of fairies tied to the evil king’s land and made to do his bidding. When accident-prone Gorse falls ill just as the family is bid to bless the new princess, a fairytale starts to unfold. Sick as she is, Gorse races to the castle with the last piece of magic the family has left—a piece of the Thread of Life. But that is when accident, mayhem, and magic combine to drive Gorse’s story into the unthinkable, threatening the baby and the kingdom.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Odysseus in the Serpent Maze (Young Heroes Book 1) Jul 2, 2013

by Jane Yolen , Robert J. Harris

( 19 )

$6.29

Before he became the hero of the Trojan War, young Odysseus battled monsters and magic
Young Prince Odysseus longs to be a hero. But when he and his travelling companions are captured on their way home to Ithaca, Odysseus learns that being a hero isn’t always easy. Now Odysseus must fight dastardly pirates, survive the enchanted songs of sirens, slay monsters, and defeat a treacherous king. Worse still, Odysseus has to deal with girls: snooty, spoiled Princess Helen of Sparta and her companion, the annoyingly sensible Penelope. Odysseus must use his strength and cleverness to save his friends, and he must sacrifice more than he ever expected to be come the hero he is destined to be. This ebook features personal histories by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris including rare images from the authors’ personal collections, as well as a timeline of the Heroic Age and a conversation between the two authors about the making of the series.

Other Formats: School & Library Binding , Paperback

The Pictish Child (Tartan Magic Book 1) Sep 29, 2015

by Jane Yolen

( 8 )

$7.99

A web of evil Scottish magic entangles 3 children

American twins Jennifer and Peter love spending time with their grandmother in Scotland, especially because their sweet and loving Gran is a witch. A trip to meet Gran’s coven provides some unexpected surprises when a woman presents the twins’ little sister, Molly, with an ancient talisman. The relic leads the children to a frightened Pictish girl from the 9th century who has fled through time to escape a terrible evil. Jennifer, Peter, and Molly will have to join forces with Gran’s friends to defeat a bearer of bad magic and help a time traveler return to her rightful past.

In this delightfully atmospheric and imaginative novel, acclaimed fantasist Jane Yolen enthralls readers of all ages with a tale rich in wonder, surprise, and enchanted adventure.

The Pictish Child is the 2nd Tartan Magic book, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Sister Bear: A Norse Tale Oct 30, 2012

by Jane Yolen , Linda Graves

( 49 )

$3.99

There was a young girl named Halva up in Finnmark who found a white bear cub alone in the woods...Halva takes the cub home, where they name her Sister Bear. Not only does Sister Bear hunt for the family and protect Halva, but she likes to dance while Halva plays the flute. Halva decides to show off Sister Bear to the king of Denmark. But on their journey, they run into trouble with some big, ugly, hungry trolls, and Halva learns just how lucky she is to have a loving friend like Sister Bear. Author Jane Yolen, often called "the Hans Christian Anderson of America" for her work in fairy tales, is perfectly matched with illustrator Linda Graves, whose richly detailed art is rendered in pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor.

Other Formats: Hardcover

The Magic Three of Solatia Jul 2, 2013

by Jane Yolen

( 4 )

$7.99

All magic has consequences
Long ago, the seawitch Dread Mary fell in love with a hard-hearted prince and gave him the Magic Three of Solatia: three silver buttons that could fulfill any wish—but at a price. Centuries later, the buttons belong to Sianna of the Song, a button maker’s daughter and heir to all of Dread Mary’s magic secrets. But the cruel King Blaggard of Solatia seeks to wed the lovely Sianna and steal her power. Sianna will need her wits, her magic, and the silver buttons to save herself and Solatia from the evil Blaggard . . . but what will it cost her? This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

The Wizard's Map: Tartan Magic, Book One Apr 26, 2012

by Jane Yolen

( 16 )

$4.99

Three American children, while visiting relatives in Scotland, come upon exactly what their mother has always said they lack: patience. Only this Patience is an old card game--one that summons sinister magic from the past: an ancient map that when altered, alters the world. And worse still, the children call forth the map’s owner--the wickedest of Scotland’s dark wizards, the bloody-minded Michael Scot. Can the children foil Michael Scot before he gets hold of his map and rewrites the world in his own image? This ebook includes a sample chapter of THE PICTISH CHILD.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

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