Snow by Tracy Lynn

Lynn, Tracy. Snow. New York: Simon Pulse, 2003.

Jessica, the daughter of a Welsh duke, is driven from her home by a vindictive stepmother. She journeys to London where she meets the Lonely Ones. Half animal and half human, they become her friends. She keeps house for Cat, Raven, Sparrow, Mouser, and Chauncery. She is not safe for long. The threat of her beauty causes her stepmother to pursue and curse her.

What I thought: This is why I love fairy tales. Writers can take the basic elements (in this case, a beautiful girl, an evil stepmother, and some odd friends) and create a novel. Lynn gives the classic story of Snow White new life with a definitive setting (Victorian Wales and England) and fully developed characters. Jessica is so much more than a pretty face.