Hidden by Helen Frost

Hidden by Helen Frost. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011.

Wren and Dara see each other at camp and immediately recognize one another from their previous encounter six years earlier. A man (Darra’s father) stole a car, not realizing that Wren was in the backseat. The man drove the car to his garage and Wren quickly hid from him, instinctively knowing she was in danger. She was terrified, hungry and thirsty and she was trapped in the thief’s garage, unable to tell anyone or get out.

Watching a newscast , Darra realized what must have happened and that Wren may be in the garage somewhere. She decided to try to help Wren and leave out food and water (ostensibly for the cat) along with a blanket. A few days later, the police come to her house to arrest her father and she realizes that Wren somehow escaped. Darra blames Wren for Darra’s father’s arrest.

Neither girl ever said anything to anyone else about what happened. Now, six years have passed and they are both grappling with events from that fateful encounter and with Darra’s father’s imminent release from prison.

This short novel in free verse is told from alternating viewpoints.  Recommended for grades 4 and up. 

Visit Helen Frost's website

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. Published by Greenwillow Books, 2011.

Elisa is the Godstone bearer, chosen by God for a life of service. Elisa doesn’t know exactly why she has been selected by God or even what she is supposed to be doing. She is the second daughter of a King, but she has never enjoyed life at court. Elisa doesn’t know exactly why she has been selected by God or even what she is supposed to be doing. She feels inferior to her pretty, confident sister.

Elisa spends her 16^th birthday getting married to a man she has never even met. It is a practical match based on the political needs of her country. Within a few days, she and her new husband have departed for his home. Before Elisa even has time to be homesick, their group is suddenly attacked, resulting in some serious injuries and the death of one of Elisa’s closest confidantes.

Arriving at court, Elisa finds herself in a strange situation. Her engagement and marriage haven’t been announced. Her Godstone is a secret. Her new husband apparently has a girlfriend. The only good thing is she meets a scholarly priest with a wonderful collection of books. When she begins reading one of her favorite military strategy books she notices that the content is different. This inconsistency leads to a huge discovery- information has been systematically and deliberately withheld from her. Her family, tutors and friends have been lying to her for her entire life. This knowledge makes Elisa more determined to learn about the Godstone and the history of the other Godstone bearers.

Elisa’s life is about to go through another change. She is kidnapped and wakes up to find herself the center of a centuries old plot involving armies and secret wars.

This fantasy fiction is recommended for grades 9 and up. 

Visit author Rae Carson's website