The Door in the Hedge

The Door in the Hedge
by Robin McKinley
Firebird, 2003

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Adaptations

Honors:

• Booklist
• Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
• Elementary School Library Collection 06/01/00
• Horn Book starred 09/01/96
• Kirkus Reviews
• School Library Journal
• Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10

Review: Robin McKinley flourishes as a weaver of epic fantasy and fairy tales with hints of romance. In The Door in the Hedge, McKinley introduces two unique fairy tales of her own invention, as well as two adaptations of the classic fairy tales The Frog Prince and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. In The Stolen Princess, a kingdom situated too close to what the people refer to as "Fairyland" falls victim to the fairies' practice of stealing young boys and seventeen-year-old girls to assimilate into their population--but only in families that are sure to have more than one child. One princess, Linadel, is an exception to the rule--her parents are likely to have no other heir after their daughter is taken, and unlike other kidnappings of the past, this one will not go ignored, as they are determined to find a way to get her back. The Hunting of the Hind is a tale of a curse, an evil wizard, and a princess who risks her life in order to free three people: a woman bewitched, the woman's brother, and the princess' own brother, who fell victim to the curse of the wizard. McKinley's tales focus on the power of love, family, and bravery.

Opinion: I feel that, with Robin McKinley, readers have to have a deep appreciation for her stories in order to be able to read her fiction comfortably. She is a brilliant writer and wonderful story-teller; however, her use of language is rich and extravagant--essentially, she uses very large words and often. Her language is somewhat colloquial and formal as well. For some this is a novelty, for me it can be a bit of a turnoff, like talking to someone who has their nose in the air. Without these characteristics, her novels would be much shorter. This is a lengthy read, though the paperback packaging with small print inside was deceptive when I picked it up. Great for older tweens, maybe a bit too much for the younger ones.

Ideas: I like doing tributes to great authors for their birthdays. A display for Robin McKinley's fantasy on or around her birthday would be my favorite way to exemplify this book.