Zel, by Donna Jo Napoli
by Dear Librarian
Have you ever wondered about the other characters in fairy tales? Have you have thought to consider what the other characters think happened? Isn’t there a saying about there being “two sides to every story?” Donna Jo Napoli rewrites fairy tales with these questions in mind. For example, in Zel, not only do you hear from Zel (short for Repunzel), but you also hear from Konrad (the prince) and Mother. This story becomes quite dynamic when you hear from everyone else–and not just the main character of the fairy tale.
This was the best book I read last year. It was remarkable! It’s true; this book is about a tough subject–the Holocaust, but the narrator of this story (Death) speaks about this subject in such a pragmatic way that the reader isn’t left emotionally drained. Rather, the reader is spellbound eager to see what will happen to all the dynamic characters of this story. Tears will be shed in the end, but the tears are worthwhile, tender tears of the joys and happiness that were felt during this harrow time. 
How many recommendation lists was this book on for the year 2006? Countless! This historical mystery may be difficult to read at first, but it is reportedly definitely worth it. The story is told in two reminiscent old English voices of Octavia and letters from a soldier. Octavia has been raised in a grand style: fine silks and scholarly books fill his life. The truth however is Octavia is actually a part of a study–of African acuity. That means a special group is studying the intellect of black people during the 18th century. It is when this study goes awry and he’s confined to a metal mask, that Octavia begins to question whether he is nothing.