Beauty

Robin McKinley does a masterful job of retelling the classic “Beauty and the Beast” fairytale in her classic book, Beauty.

Beauty hates her nickname. She feel thin and awkward compared to her beautiful sisters. After her father’s business failures forces them to move to the country, she and her sisters make the best of their dire circumstances. Then her father comes home from a business trip with the tale of an enchanted castle, the Beast who lives there, and the horrible promise he had to make.

Beauty musters her courage, and determines to save her father’s life. She goes to the enchanted castle to see if what she thinks is true, a Beast can be tamed.

I loved Beauty as a teen, and enjoyed it even more when I recently reread it. Recommended for ages 12 and up.