by Adam Gidwitz Most everyone has heard the story of Hansel and Gretel. You know, the one where they walk into the forest away from their evil parents, try to eat a witch's house, and narrowly avoid her oven. Well, that's really only part of the story, and it's not even the beginning. In this dark and grim tale, we follow Hansel and Gretel on all their adventures - from being born to the well-meaning king and queen to outsmarting the devil to meeting the moon (who likes to eat children) to coming eye to golden eye with a giant dragon (who also likes to eat children). This isn't the Hansel and Gretel story you heard as a little kid, and it's not for the feint of heart.
Recommended for grades 4-8
Reviewed by Sara Murray
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Ridiculous but entertaining, or maybe ridiculously entertaining, this book certainly is what the title claims it to be. For those of you who are not satisfied with the "Happily Ever After," sappy sweet, and pretty princess endings, this is the tale for you. Blood and gore pour through the pages of this retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. As if the original was not gruesome enough - you remember, someone gets baked in an oven - this version gets mixed up with other Grimm tales to include beheadings, dismemberments, humans being hunted, and a trip to hell itself. How can so many terrible things happen to two innocent children? Read this and find out.
Recommended for grades 3-6
Reviewed by Koren Power






